Maca root supplements have gained popularity in the US for their health benefits, including boosting energy, balancing hormones, and improving overall vitality. Maca supplements are available in powder, capsules, and gelatinized versions, making maca root flexible for various lifestyles. With varieties like red, yellow, and black maca, each providing unique benefits, choosing the right type and dosage can make a big difference in how you experience its nutritional value.
In this comprehensive buying guide, we've teamed up with registered dietitian nutritionist Kathy Shattler to delve into the key factors to consider when selecting a maca root supplement. We'll cover product form, maca variety, and dosage recommendations. Plus, we’ve curated a list of the best maca root supplements available in the US, ensuring you find the perfect fit for your needs. Whether you're after an organic option, a high-dose supplement, or a specific type like gelatinized black maca for increased stamina, our guide has you covered.
Quick List - Top Maca Root Supplement
Terra ELMNT
Highly Concentrated Black Maca with Stress-Reducing Ashwagandha
A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for over 25 years, Kathy has mastered numerous medical specialties and teaching methods: health promotion, counseling, academic teaching, endocrinology, psychiatry/mental health, supplements, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, aging, and alternative medicine. Experiences include: -Managing her own telehealth/nutrition consulting business -Directing a continuing education program for RDs and nurses -Consulting for long-term care regulatory affairs -Working with State and local health departments -Coordinating diabetes education programs Her experiences led her to reach people with life-changing information as a medical editor and writer. For over five years, Kathy has acquired increasingly complex roles. Passionate about the root causes of disease, she obtained her certification in Integrative Medicine and Functional Nutrition from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics three years ago. This series continues to influence her approach to writing.
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
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Table of Contents
While research is still inconclusive, studies suggest maca may help stabilize mood, improve sexual health, and relieve menopausal discomfort.
Maca root, scientifically known as Lepidium meyenii, is an herbal supplement commonly used for its energy-boosting and hormone-balancing properties. Native to the Andes mountains of Peru, it has long been valued for enhancing stamina, supporting physical endurance, and improving overall vitality for over 2,000 years.
Maca is often used by athletes and active individuals seeking a natural way to increase energy levels and reduce fatigue. It is a popular addition to pre-workout routines or daily wellness regimens.
In addition to its energizing effects, maca root is widely sought after for its potential to balance hormones and improve reproductive health. Women often use it to manage symptoms of menopause and PMS and by men and women alike to enhance libido and fertility.
Its adaptogenic properties, which help the body cope with stress, promote emotional stability and mental clarity, providing a reassuring sense of balance in your daily life.
The standard dosage for maca root supplements typically ranges from 1,500 mg to 3,000 mg per day, depending on individual health goals and the specific formulation of the supplement. Many studies supporting the benefits of maca have used this dosage range, suggesting that it is effective for enhancing energy, improving mood, and supporting hormonal balance.
It’s crucial to start with a lower dose, especially if you're new to maca, and gradually increase it to gauge its effects. Always refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines for serving sizes and, most importantly, consult a healthcare professional before embarking on any new supplement regimen. This step is vital to determine the appropriate dosage for your individual needs and to ensure your safety.
Maca is available in various forms, including powder, capsules, and liquid extracts, which can influence the dosage. For powder form, users might mix 1 to 2 teaspoons (approximately 3 to 6 grams) into smoothies, yogurt, or other foods. Capsules usually come with specific dosage recommendations on the label.
For a safer and more effective supplement, gelatinized maca root is superior to raw maca. Gelatinization involves heating maca root at a higher temperature, which not only removes the starch for easier digestion but also eliminates any potential contaminants, such as bacteria or molds.
While raw maca undergoes a drying process, it is only heated to 105 degrees Fahrenheit, a temperature too low to kill harmful microbes fully. This can pose a risk, especially for those with sensitive digestive systems or compromised immune functions. In contrast, gelatinized maca offers enhanced bioavailability and safety, meaning the body can absorb its nutrients more effectively with fewer risks.
A product containing a blend of black, yellow, and red maca varieties is an excellent choice for those seeking a well-rounded approach to health.
Red maca has therapeutic properties that can help prevent and reduce prostate hyperplasia, a common concern for men over 50.
Both red and black maca have shown promising results in reducing the impact of bone loss in animal models, making this blend a potential option for those concerned about bone health.
Black maca, which is rich in phenols and antioxidants, provides a more pronounced effect on endurance and vitality. Though more research is needed, black maca may also improve conditions like autism, further broadening its potential benefits.
Individuals seeking a comprehensive approach to stress management, energy enhancement, and hormonal balance should consider maca root supplements combined with ashwagandha. Maca and ashwagandha are both adaptogens, meaning they help the body adapt to physical and emotional stress. This combination is ideal for those who experience high levels of stress or fatigue and want a natural way to support mental clarity, mood, and overall vitality.
Ashwagandha has been shown to reduce cortisol levels, the body’s stress hormone, while maca enhances stamina and endurance. This blend is especially beneficial for managing stress-related fatigue and promoting a balanced state of well-being.
This combination may also support hormonal health and sexual wellness. While maca helps balance hormones and improve libido, ashwagandha is known for its calming properties and ability to improve sleep quality, both of which are crucial for maintaining healthy hormone levels.
The usual dose of ashwagandha is 250-500 mg/day.
Selecting the most convenient form of maca root supplement is important to ensure consistency in use and achieve the desired health benefits. Whether it's capsules, powders, or liquid extracts, choosing a format that fits your lifestyle will help you incorporate it easily into your routine.
Capsules offer a hassle-free way to take maca without the need to mix powders into smoothies or other foods. This is great for those with busy lifestyles or for those who prefer to avoid tasting the maca.
This form ensures consistent, pre-measured doses, making tracking and managing daily intake easier. Additionally, capsules are discreet and portable, allowing for easy incorporation into a daily supplement routine, whether at home or on the go.
For those following specific dietary preferences, many maca supplements come in vegetarian capsules, which are free from animal by-products. This makes them suitable for vegans and vegetarians who want a plant-based supplement option.
Gelatinized maca powder is a plus for health-conscious enthusiasts who like to blend their own healthy mixtures of various herbs, supplements, and powders.
Those who enjoy flexibility and customization in their supplement routine should opt for maca root powder, especially in its gelatinized form. Powdered maca is easy to incorporate into various foods and drinks, such as smoothies, coffee, or oatmeal, allowing users to seamlessly add it to their diet without swallowing pills.
Gelatinized maca powder, in particular, has been heated to remove starch, making it easier to digest and gentler on the stomach. This is ideal for those with sensitive digestion or who prefer a more concentrated, bioavailable form of maca that is quickly absorbed by the body. Kathy Shattler, MS, RDN, adds, "Gelatinized powder also contains more nutrients than raw powder."
Liquid extracts are highly concentrated, allowing the body to absorb the active compounds more rapidly than powders or capsules. This makes them a great option for people looking for immediate effects, whether it’s a quick energy boost or support for stress and mood management.
Our registered dietitian also recommends looking for "extracts that use glycerin as opposed to alcohol." This is helpful for people with alcohol sensitivity or recovering alcoholics. Glycerin does not denature any of maca’s constituents and preserves enzyme activity. In addition, alcohol-free forms are excellent options for kids and older adults.
The liquid form can be easily added to water or juice or taken directly under the tongue, offering both convenience and a faster onset of benefits. Additionally, liquid maca is often more palatable when blended with your favorite beverage.
When choosing maca root supplements, selecting products that have undergone third-party testing is crucial to ensure both quality and safety. Without thorough testing, consumers cannot be certain that the supplement is free from potentially harmful contaminants and contains the ingredients it claims to contain in the amounts specified on the label.
When selecting supplements, consider brands manufactured in GMP-certified facilities or have obtained other recognized certifications to ensure product quality. Third-party testing means that an independent laboratory has evaluated the supplement to verify that it meets high standards for purity, potency, and the absence of harmful substances.
This is particularly important for maca, which is grown in the Andean highlands. There, soil conditions can lead to contamination with heavy metals, such as lead, mercury, and arsenic.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | Details | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dosage | Form | Gelatinized | Maca Root Type | Ashwagandha | Third-Party Tested | Organic | |||||
1 | NaturaLife Labs Organic Maca | ![]() | Organic Triple Maca Blend with Enhanced Digestibility | 1900mg | Veg capsule | Black、Red、Yellow | |||||
2 | Natgrown Maca Root | ![]() | Triple Strength Maca for Balanced Energy and Hormonal Health | 1500mg | Veg capsule | Black、Red、Yellow | |||||
3 | Terra ELMNT 40,000 mg 40x Strength Organic Black Maca Root with Ashwagandha | ![]() | Highly Concentrated Black Maca with Stress-Reducing Ashwagandha | 1000mg | Veg capsule | Black | |||||
4 | Horbäach Maca Root 4,800 mg | ![]() | High-Dose Maca for Quick Absorption and Nutrient Delivery | 4800mg | Gelatin capsule | Maca Variety Blend | |||||
5 | Bronson Maca Root Extra Strength | ![]() | Extra Strength Maca for Energy and Reproductive Health | 1000mg | Veg capsule | unknown | unknown | ||||
6 | PrimeMD Maca Root Ashwagandha DHEA + Black Pepper | ![]() | Maca and Ashwagandha Blend for Enhanced Absorption and Hormonal Support | 1710mg | Veg capsule | unknown | Black、Red、Yellow | ||||
7 | Anthony’s Organic Maca Root Powder | ![]() | Organic Gelatinized Maca Powder for Smoothie-Ready Nutrition | unknown | Powder | unknown | |||||
8 | Terrasoul Superfoods Gelatinized Maca Powder | ![]() | Certified Organic Gelatinized Maca for Easy Digestion and Versatile Use | unknown | Powder | unknown | |||||
9 | MaryRuth Organics Organic Maca Root Liquid Drops | ![]() | Convenient Liquid Maca for Quick Absorption and Hormonal Balance | 590mg | Liquid | unknown | |||||
10 | SMNutrition Organic Maca Root Liquid Drops | ![]() | Fast-Absorbing Maca Drops for Energy and Hormonal Support | 600mg | Liquid | unknown |
NaturaLife Labs’ Organic Maca features a blend of black, red, and yellow maca root in vegan capsules, offering a full spectrum of maca benefits. Each serving provides 1,900 mg of gelatinized maca, which has undergone heat treatment to make it easier to digest. Sourced from organic Peruvian maca and manufactured in a GMP-certified facility, it meets quality standards for safety and purity. With no GMO ingredients, it caters to consumers looking for a clean, plant-based supplement free from genetic manipulation.
The inclusion of gelatinized maca helps improve absorption and is ideal for those who might have trouble digesting raw maca. By combining multiple maca varieties, this product aims to support energy, reproductive health, and overall vitality for both men and women. Regular testing ensures the product is free from contaminants, making it a reliable choice for those seeking a safe, natural energy boost.
Dosage | 1900mg |
---|---|
Form | Veg capsule |
Gelatinized | |
Maca Root Type | Black、Red、Yellow |
Ashwagandha | |
Third-Party Tested | |
Organic |
Natgrown’s Maca Root capsules provide a 1,500 mg dose of organic maca, featuring a blend of black, red, and yellow maca roots. The product is advertised for its hormone-balancing properties and potential to boost energy and mood. The maca is gelatinized, a process that makes it easier to digest and more bioavailable.
This supplement is suitable for both men and women and is made in a GMP-certified facility in the USA, ensuring high quality. It’s vegan and free from allergens like gluten and soy.
Dosage | 1500mg |
---|---|
Form | Veg capsule |
Gelatinized | |
Maca Root Type | Black、Red、Yellow |
Ashwagandha | |
Third-Party Tested | |
Organic |
Terra ELMNT delivers an ultra-concentrated dose of black maca, boasting a 40:1 extract ratio that equates to 40,000 mg of regular maca powder per capsule. This product includes ashwagandha for its adaptogenic properties, which are aimed at boosting stamina and managing stress. Manufactured in the USA, it adheres to GMP standards and is regularly tested for purity.
The black maca variety is mainly known for its high phenol content, supporting physical performance and stamina. With the added benefit of ashwagandha, this supplement may further enhance the body’s ability to manage stress, making it a suitable option for those focused on energy and endurance.
Dosage | 1000mg |
---|---|
Form | Veg capsule |
Gelatinized | |
Maca Root Type | Black |
Ashwagandha | |
Third-Party Tested | |
Organic |
Horbäach’s Maca Root offers an impressive 4,800 mg equivalent per serving in a quick-release capsule. This supplement, made from super-concentrated Peruvian maca extract, provides a potent dose in each capsule, ideal for those seeking a high-strength option. The product is free from common allergens like gluten, soy, and lactose, making it accessible to a wide range of consumers.
This product is designed to be absorbed quickly, providing users with the potential benefits of enhanced energy and overall well-being. Its rigorous manufacturing process ensures purity and quality, giving it an edge for those seeking a potent, no-frills maca supplement.
Dosage | 4800mg |
---|---|
Form | Gelatin capsule |
Gelatinized | |
Maca Root Type | Maca Variety Blend |
Ashwagandha | |
Third-Party Tested | |
Organic |
Bronson’s Maca Root Extra Strength formula offers the equivalent of 4,000 mg of maca per serving, made from a 4:1 extract. It is non-GMO, gluten-free, and manufactured in a GMP-certified facility to ensure safety and quality. The maca root in this supplement has been traditionally used for stamina, energy, and reproductive health.
This product is suitable for both men and women looking for a supplement to support energy levels and hormonal balance. With a high-quality manufacturing process and an extra-strength formula, Bronson’s maca is a reliable choice for those seeking a more concentrated form of this popular herb.
Dosage | 1000mg |
---|---|
Form | Veg capsule |
Gelatinized | unknown |
Maca Root Type | unknown |
Ashwagandha | |
Third-Party Tested | |
Organic |
PrimeMD’s Maca Root supplement combines black, red, and yellow maca with ashwagandha, DHEA, and black pepper for enhanced absorption. With 1,710 mg of maca per serving, this blend is designed for both men and women seeking hormonal balance and increased vitality. The addition of black pepper extract improves the bioavailability of these ingredients.
DHEA may help with vaginal atrophy, infertility, or erectile dysfunction, all players in sexual function enhancement. The World Anti-Doping Agency bans DHEA, so you should avoid this product if you are a professional athlete. DHEA is potentially safe for daily use for up to two years in amounts of 50 mg or less but may cause acne or stomach upset and should be avoided by pregnant or breastfeeding individuals.
The product is non-GMO, soy-free, and gluten-free and manufactured in a GMP-certified facility in the USA. It’s marketed as a nutritional powerhouse, providing a mix of adaptogens and energy-boosting compounds that can support overall well-being and hormonal health.
Dosage | 1710mg |
---|---|
Form | Veg capsule |
Gelatinized | unknown |
Maca Root Type | Black、Red、Yellow |
Ashwagandha | |
Third-Party Tested | |
Organic |
Anthony’s Organic Maca Root Powder is USDA-certified organic and gelatinized for easier digestion and absorption. This powder, which is non-GMO and gluten-free, is versatile and ideal for adding to smoothies, drinks, and baked goods. The gelatinization process removes starch, making the maca root powder easier on the digestive system.
This product is batch-tested and free from preservatives and artificial ingredients, ensuring you get a clean, natural supplement. It’s a great option for those who prefer using powder over capsules and want to incorporate maca into their daily nutrition.
Dosage | unknown |
---|---|
Form | Powder |
Gelatinized | |
Maca Root Type | unknown |
Ashwagandha | |
Third-Party Tested | |
Organic |
Terrasoul Superfoods offers a gelatinized maca powder that is 100% certified organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, and vegan. Sourced from the freshest crops, this maca powder has been heat-treated for improved digestion and absorption.
This powder is ideal for those seeking a versatile supplement to mix into smoothies, drinks, or meals. Its certified organic status and gelatinization process provide a well-rounded option for those focused on digestion and bioavailability.
Dosage | unknown |
---|---|
Form | Powder |
Gelatinized | |
Maca Root Type | unknown |
Ashwagandha | |
Third-Party Tested | |
Organic |
MaryRuth Organics offers organic maca root liquid drops made from Lepidium meyenii. This liquid form is designed for optimal absorption, allowing users to experience the benefits of maca in a convenient, easy-to-take format. Grown in the Peruvian Andes, the maca used is organic and non-GMO.
Liquid maca extracts may be a good option for individuals who prefer not to take capsules or powders. With adaptogenic properties, this product may help the body manage stress and promote hormonal balance.
Dosage | 590mg |
---|---|
Form | Liquid |
Gelatinized | |
Maca Root Type | unknown |
Ashwagandha | |
Third-Party Tested | |
Organic |
SMNutrition’s organic maca root liquid drops are formulated to support energy, stamina, and hormone balance. This supplement, made from non-GMO and organic ingredients, provides a fast-absorbing alternative to maca capsules. Each bottle contains 120 servings, offering a long-lasting supply.
These drops are particularly useful for those seeking physical energy and hormone health support. Since they are manufactured in a cGMP facility, the product meets strict quality standards to ensure purity and effectiveness.
Dosage | 600mg |
---|---|
Form | Liquid |
Gelatinized | |
Maca Root Type | unknown |
Ashwagandha | |
Third-Party Tested | |
Organic |
The time it takes for maca root to start working can vary based on the specific benefits an individual seeks, but studies often show results after 12 weeks of use. This timeframe is common for benefits like improved hormonal balance, enhanced sexual health, and increased stamina.
However, some studies have shown positive results in as little as two to eight weeks, depending on individual responses and the desired effects. Early improvements may include better mood and energy levels, while more significant changes usually take longer.
No. 1: NaturaLife Labs|Organic Maca
No. 2: Natgrown|Maca Root
No. 3: Terra ELMNT|40,000 mg 40x Strength Organic Black Maca Root with Ashwagandha
No. 4: Horbäach|Maca Root 4,800 mg
No. 5: Bronson|Maca Root Extra Strength
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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