This study was done to study the effects of Lepidium meyenii Walp (maca) on body fat, sexual hormone levels and bone metabolism in rats that had their ovaries removed so they did not produce estrogen. Some rats were untreated, some received estrogen and some received maca. Some of those who received maca took 0.6 gm/kg and some took maca 1.8 gm/kg.

After 7 weeks, the animals were killed and examined for blood factors and the ovary glands and the adrenal glands were weighed.

The results of the study showed that maca helped maintain estrogen levels and prevented the loss of bone metabolism. Maca also prevented the changes expected in lipids which would usually be seen after estrogen loss.

CONCLUSION: Maca dietary supplementation may prevent the postmenopausal abnormalities of lipid metabolism and of bone metabolism.

NOTE: Unfortunately, the full article is not available at this time. This summary is based on the author’s abstract, only.

Read a review of the effects of maca.

To read the author’s abstract of the article click on the link to the author’s title of the article above.

PMID: 19689071.

Summary #366.