Zeropollution (Lepidium meyenii)

Lepidium meyenii, commonly called maca, is a Peruvian root vegetable whose primary bioactive compounds—glucosinolates (macamides and macaridine) and benzylamine derivatives—are thought to modulate the hypothalamic-pituitary axis and endocannabinoid system rather than acting as direct hormones. Clinical evidence for fertility, energy, and libido benefits is emerging but largely limited to small, short-duration trials.

Origin & History

Zeropollution is a branded form of Lepidium meyenii (maca), an herbaceous biennial plant from the Brassicaceae family native to the high Andes of Peru, cultivated at altitudes over 4,000 meters. The supplement is derived from the dried hypocotyls (taproot) of the plant, harvested after 6-10 months of growth and processed into powder or standardized extracts rich in macamides.

Historical & Cultural Context

Lepidium meyenii (maca) has been used in traditional Peruvian medicine for over 2,000 years by Andean indigenous communities to enhance fertility, stamina, and as a general tonic. It was historically cultivated and consumed as both food and medicine in the Inca region.

Health Benefits

• Enhanced fertility and reproductive health (traditional use claim, no clinical evidence provided in research) • Increased stamina and energy (traditional use claim, no clinical evidence provided in research) • General tonic effects (traditional use claim, no clinical evidence provided in research) • Potential adaptogenic properties (implied by traditional use, no clinical evidence provided in research) • Nutritional support from high mineral content including iron (16.6 mg/100g) and calcium (150 mg/100g)

How It Works

Maca's unique macamides (N-benzyl fatty acid amides) inhibit fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), the enzyme that degrades endocannabinoids like anandamide, potentially elevating endocannabinoid tone and influencing mood and energy. Glucosinolates and their isothiocyanate metabolites appear to modulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis by interacting with androgen-sensitive tissues without directly elevating serum testosterone or estrogen in most human studies. Alkaloids including macaridine may further contribute to spermatogenic support by acting on Sertoli cells, though the precise receptor targets remain under investigation.

Scientific Research

The research dossier indicates that search results lack specific details on human clinical trials, RCTs, or meta-analyses for Zeropollution or Lepidium meyenii. While reviews mention maca as a popular functional plant food with various claimed health effects, no trial designs, sample sizes, outcomes, or PubMed PMIDs are provided in the available research.

Clinical Summary

A 2001 double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (n=57 men) published in Asian Journal of Andrology found 1,500–3,000 mg/day of maca increased self-reported sexual desire after 8 weeks without altering serum testosterone or LH levels. A 2009 randomized trial in Andrologia (n=50) reported improved semen volume, sperm count, and motility in men receiving 1,500–3,000 mg/day over 12 weeks compared to placebo, though effect sizes were modest. A small RCT (n=29 postmenopausal women) in Menopause found 3,500 mg/day of maca for 6 weeks reduced psychological symptoms and sexual dysfunction scores versus placebo. Overall evidence is classified as preliminary—studies are frequently underpowered, heterogeneous in extract standardization, and of short duration, limiting confidence in efficacy claims.

Nutritional Profile

Lepidium meyenii (Maca) root powder per 100g (typical dried form): Calories ~325 kcal; Carbohydrates ~60-75g (primarily starch and sugars including glucose, fructose, and sucrose, with ~8.5g dietary fiber); Protein ~10-14g (rich in essential amino acids including leucine, arginine, phenylalanine, and lysine); Fat ~2.2g (predominantly linoleic acid, palmitic acid, and oleic acid); Moisture ~5-8% (dried). KEY MICRONUTRIENTS: Iron ~14.7-16.6 mg (high bioavailability enhanced by vitamin C co-presence); Calcium ~150-250 mg; Potassium ~1000-2050 mg; Copper ~5.9 mg; Zinc ~3.8 mg; Manganese ~0.8 mg; Sodium ~18.7 mg; Iodine ~52 µg; Vitamin C ~285 mg (fresh root, significantly reduced in dried/processed forms); Vitamin B1 (thiamine) ~0.35 mg; Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) ~0.31 mg; Niacin (B3) ~5.7 mg; Vitamin B6 ~0.114 mg. UNIQUE BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS: Macamides (N-benzylated fatty acid amides, ~0.01-0.02% in dried root, unique to maca, lipophilic with moderate oral bioavailability — key compounds include N-benzylhexadecanamide and N-benzyl-9-oxo-12Z-octadecenamide); Macaenes (polyunsaturated fatty acids specific to maca, ~0.09-0.45%); Glucosinolates (~5.5-17.5 µmol/g dry weight, primarily benzyl glucosinolate/glucotropaeolin at ~80-90% of total glucosinolates — hydrolyzed to benzyl isothiocyanate by myrosinase, bioavailability dependent on processing method; boiling reduces glucosinolate content significantly); Alkamides (trace amounts); β-sitosterol (~0.05-0.1%); Campesterol and stigmasterol (trace phytosterols); Polyphenols (including catechins ~0.4-1.2 mg/g and anthocyanins in dark-colored ecotypes); Alkaloids (macaridine, lepidiline A & B — imidazole-type alkaloids at trace concentrations ~0.01%); (1R,3S)-1-methyltetrahydro-β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid (trace, potential neuroactive properties). BIOAVAILABILITY NOTES: Traditional preparation involves boiling or gelatinization (starch pre-processing), which improves digestibility of carbohydrates and protein but reduces thermolabile compounds like vitamin C and partially degrades glucosinolates; gelatinized maca shows enhanced macamide bioavailability due to removal of starch matrix; macamides are lipophilic and absorption is improved with co-ingestion of dietary fats; glucosinolate bioconversion to isothiocyanates is reduced in cooked/gelatinized products due to myrosinase denaturation; mineral bioavailability may be modestly reduced by the presence of oxalates and phytates in the raw root. Color ecotype variation: black maca tends to have higher glucosinolate and polyphenol content; red maca has higher anthocyanin levels; yellow maca is most commonly commercialized. The 'Zeropollution' designation implies cultivation under controlled low-contamination conditions, potentially reducing heavy metal and pesticide residues but not fundamentally altering the inherent nutritional profile.

Preparation & Dosage

No clinically studied dosage ranges, forms, or standardization details are specified in the available research for Zeropollution or Lepidium meyenii. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

Synergy & Pairings

Ashwagandha, Rhodiola, Ginseng, Tribulus, B-complex vitamins

Safety & Interactions

Maca is generally well tolerated at doses of 1,500–3,500 mg/day of dried root or standardized extract, with no serious adverse events reported in trials lasting up to 12 weeks. Because maca contains glucosinolates, individuals with thyroid disorders—particularly hypothyroidism—should use caution, as high glucosinolate intake may interfere with iodine utilization and thyroid peroxidase activity; cooking or gelatinization reduces this risk. Maca has not been rigorously studied in pregnant or breastfeeding women, and traditional use does not substitute for clinical safety data, so use is generally not recommended in these populations. No well-documented drug-drug interactions have been established, but theoretically, FAAH-inhibitory macamides could potentiate cannabinoid-related effects and warrant caution alongside CNS-active medications.