{
  "slug": "maca",
  "name": "Maca (Lepidium meyenii)",
  "alternate_names": [
    "Lepidium meyenii",
    "Peruvian ginseng",
    "Maca root",
    "Gelatinized maca"
  ],
  "mechanism": [
    "Central nervous-system pathways for libido (research finds NO change in serum testosterone/estradiol)",
    "HPA-axis modulation (adaptogenic, research-context)",
    "Macamides / macaenes as candidate active compounds (mechanistic)",
    "Antioxidant activity from polyphenols and glucosinolates (preclinical)",
    "Mitochondrial energy-metabolism support (animal models)"
  ],
  "target": [
    "Central nervous system (libido pathways)",
    "HPA axis",
    "HPG axis (without altering serum sex hormones)",
    "Oxidative-stress markers (preclinical)"
  ],
  "use_case": [
    "sexual function / libido (subjective scores, human RCTs)",
    "perimenopausal symptom comfort (research-context)",
    "mood / depressive symptoms (pilot RCT)",
    "energy / fatigue (mixed-to-null human evidence)",
    "male reproductive markers (inconclusive per reviews)"
  ],
  "body_system": [
    "CNS",
    "ENDO",
    "REPRO",
    "MOOD",
    "MUSCULO"
  ],
  "evidence_tier": "B",
  "evidence_anchor_pmid_count": 3,
  "dosage_range": "1500-3500 mg/day gelatinized maca powder or equivalent extract (educational reference); sexual-function RCTs commonly 1500-3000 mg/day for 6-12 weeks; Dording 2008 RCT used 3.0 g/day; Stojanovska 2015 pilot used 3.3 g/day",
  "safety_notes": "Generally well tolerated at 1500-3500 mg/day in trials; rare mild GI upset or headache (more common with non-gelatinized raw powder). Contains glucosinolates - high-dose long-term use may theoretically affect iodine uptake, so individuals with thyroid dysfunction should use caution. Inadequate safety data in pregnancy/lactation; hormone-sensitive cancer patients should consult a healthcare provider. No major documented drug interactions; theoretical interaction with hormone-based medications. Not a treatment for any disease - consult a healthcare provider for medical conditions.",
  "regulatory": {
    "fda": "DSHEA-legal dietary supplement ingredient (FDA no objection); Structure/Function Claims permitted with mandatory FDA disclaimer; no disease claim. Typical market dose 1500-3000 mg/day.",
    "efsa": "Traditional food ingredient / available in EU; some standardized extracts may require Novel Food assessment. NO EFSA-authorized health claim for maca under Reg 432/2012.",
    "anvisa": "Dietary supplement ingredient under RDC 243/2018; listed on the permitted-plants list via IN 28/2018. No specific Anexo V alegação funcional verbatim confirmed for maca - entry intentionally generic pending direct PDF verification."
  },
  "authorized_claims": [],
  "ingredient_hub_url": "https://asxan.ai/ingredients/maca/",
  "related_goal_slugs": [
    "reproductive-health",
    "menopause-support"
  ],
  "related_lifestyle_slugs": [
    "menopause"
  ],
  "last_evidence_review": "2026-06-13",
  "schema_version": "nc-public-v0.2",
  "api_version": "nc-public-v0.3",
  "_meta": {
    "last_evidence_review": "2026-06-13",
    "ip_axes_disclosed": {
      "public_axes": [
        "mechanism",
        "target",
        "use_case",
        "body_system",
        "evidence_tier",
        "dosage_range",
        "safety_notes",
        "regulatory",
        "authorized_claims"
      ],
      "ip_axes_not_exposed": [
        "proprietary_formula_ratios",
        "clinical_protocol_internals",
        "rnd_pipeline_compounds",
        "supplier_specific_grade_specifications",
        "unpublished_endpoint_data"
      ],
      "rationale": "asxan.ai surfaces the educational, evidence-tier-disclosed slice. Formula composition, clinical-protocol internals, and RnD pipeline data are intentionally outside this public surface."
    }
  }
}