Evidence supporting the use of: Maca
For the health condition: Muscle Tone (lack of)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is a root vegetable native to the Andes mountains of Peru and has a long history of traditional use as a food and medicinal plant. Traditionally, maca has been consumed to promote stamina, energy, and general vitality, which in turn is sometimes associated with improved physical performance and muscle function. Historical records and ethnobotanical reports indicate that Incan warriors consumed maca root to enhance strength and endurance, and it has been used by local populations to help with fatigue and improve resilience.

However, direct evidence supporting its use specifically for improving muscle tone (the state of partial contraction or firmness of muscles) is minimal. While some traditional uses infer benefits for physical strength or endurance, these are not equivalent to clinical evidence for muscle tone enhancement. A small number of modern studies have explored maca’s effects on energy, mood, and athletic performance, but robust clinical research examining its effects on muscle tone is lacking. Most available evidence is either anecdotal or derived from animal studies rather than rigorously controlled human trials. As such, while maca is traditionally used with the implication of supporting muscle function, the scientific substantiation for its efficacy in improving or treating lack of muscle tone is weak.

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