Maca Inhibits Osteoporosis

WUHAN, China--Supplementing with the root of maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp.), a cruciferous plant native to Peru, may reduce bone loss caused by estrogen deficiency in menopause, according to research from Huazhong University (J Ethnopharmacol, 105, (1-2):274-9, 2006).

Scientists divided female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two sham-operated and two ovariectomized groups. Each group was administered an ethanol extract of 0.096 g/kg maca, 0.24g/kg maca or a distilled water control, for 28 weeks. Primary end points included bone mineral density (BMD), as well as biomechanical, biochemical and histopathological parameters; the higher dose of maca extract was found most effective. The researchers concluded maca dose-dependently prevented estrogen-deficient bone loss.