Maca Supplements Compared
We currently recommend 4 Maca supplements. The table below lines them up on what each label actually states: the form, how much is in a serving, how many capsules or servings are in the bottle, and how the extract is standardized. Under the table, each product has its own section on when and how to take it and what it pairs well with.
Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is a root vegetable from the cabbage family, grown high in the Peruvian Andes and eaten there for thousands of years. It's mainly studied for libido, mood and energy; notably, studies that measured hormones generally didn't find it changes testosterone.
| Product | Form | Serving | Count | Standardization | Also notable | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viva Naturals Organic Maca Powder | Powder | — | 16oz | Gelatinized | USDA Organic | Amazon |
| Navitas Organics Maca Powder | Powder | — | 16oz | Gelatinized | Cream, red & black maca | Amazon |
| NutraChamps Organic Maca Root | Capsule | 2,100mg | 180 | Gelatinized | With black pepper extract | Amazon |
| Gaia Herbs Maca Root | Capsule | — | 60 | Whole gelatinized root | Organic, vegan | Amazon |
How to choose a Maca supplement
Typical dosage: Studies commonly used 1.5g to 3g of powder per day (roughly half to one heaped teaspoon) for 6 to 12 weeks. Gelatinized maca has been heat-treated to remove starch, which makes it easier to digest. Capsules vary in strength, so follow the label.
Things to know: Can cause bloating or stomach upset, especially raw powder. Check with a doctor if you have a thyroid condition or a hormone-sensitive condition, and avoid it during pregnancy or breastfeeding, as there isn't enough safety data at supplement doses.
Serving sizes aren't always comparable between products. A concentrated extract and a whole-herb powder can list very different milligram amounts for a similar effect, so compare the standardization column, not just the serving.
Maca
Viva Naturals Organic Maca Powder
Gelatinized organic Peruvian maca powder, USDA Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified. 16oz (1lb) resealable bag.
- Form
- Powder
- Count
- 16oz
- Standardization
- Gelatinized
- Also notable
- USDA Organic
When to take it
Take it once a day, often in the morning. Studies of maca ran for 6 to 12 weeks, so give it time.
How to take it
Start with about half a teaspoon (around 1.5g) a day and work up to about a heaped teaspoon (around 3g) if you tolerate it. It's gelatinized, so it's easier on the stomach than raw maca. It has a nutty, butterscotch-like taste and mixes well into smoothies, oatmeal, coffee or baking.
What to combine it with
Maca is often combined with Tongkat Ali or Shilajit in vitality routines. They work differently: maca's research points to libido and mood without hormone changes. Add one at a time so you can tell what each does.
Maca
Navitas Organics Maca Powder
100% gelatinized organic Peruvian maca powder, a mix of cream, red and black maca root. 16oz bag.
- Form
- Powder
- Count
- 16oz
- Standardization
- Gelatinized
- Also notable
- Cream, red & black maca
When to take it
Take it daily, usually in the morning, as part of a drink or breakfast. Judge it over several weeks.
How to take it
A typical amount is half to one heaped teaspoon (about 1.5g to 3g) a day. This is a gelatinized blend of cream, red and black maca, so it's easy to digest. It has a malty flavor that works especially well with cacao, in smoothies or lattes.
What to combine it with
Works well in a morning smoothie with other whole-food powders. If you also take maca capsules or a blend containing maca, count the total so you don't double up.
Maca
NutraChamps Organic Maca Root
2,100mg per serving of organic gelatinized black, red and yellow maca, with black pepper extract. 180 capsules.
- Form
- Capsule
- Serving
- 2,100mg
- Count
- 180
- Standardization
- Gelatinized
- Also notable
- With black pepper extract
When to take it
Take the serving once a day, in the morning or early afternoon. Maca can feel mildly energizing for some people, so avoid taking it late in the evening.
How to take it
The label serving provides 2,100mg of organic gelatinized black, red and yellow maca. Take it with food and water. It includes black pepper extract, so check with a pharmacist if you take medications, as black pepper extract can affect how some drugs are absorbed.
What to combine it with
Commonly used alongside Tongkat Ali in men's vitality routines. Start maca on its own for a couple of weeks first so you can tell how it affects you.
Maca
Gaia Herbs Maca Root
Whole gelatinized organic maca root (not an extract). 60 vegan capsules, 60 servings.
- Form
- Capsule
- Count
- 60
- Standardization
- Whole gelatinized root
- Also notable
- Organic, vegan
When to take it
Take one capsule daily, in the morning or early afternoon, with food. Give it several weeks of consistent use.
How to take it
Each vegan capsule contains whole gelatinized organic maca root rather than an extract, so it's closer to eating maca as a food. If you want the 1.5g to 3g daily range used in many studies, compare the label amount and adjust only with your doctor's advice.
What to combine it with
Gaia also makes an organic Rhodiola Rosea that some people take alongside it for daytime energy. Add new supplements one at a time.
Read more about Maca
Maca Root Buying Guide: Gelatinized vs. Raw, Powder vs. Capsules, and Which Color →
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. HighIQ Nootropics intends to participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program; once approved, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through the links above, at no extra cost to you.