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Head-to-head evidence comparison — which supplement is right for you?
Maca vs Magnesium: Magnesium has the stronger overall evidence (8.5 vs 5.5/10); they're alternatives for bone health — the best pick depends on your goals. Take the 60-second quiz for a pick tailored to your goals.
Magnesium wins 2 of 3 categories. Both are solid choices — the best pick depends on your specific goals.
Verdict
Too few graded studies
1 of 1 studies with measurable effects showed benefit.
Top outcomes
Verdict
Mixed evidence
2 of 6 studies with measurable effects showed benefit.
Top outcomes
1500-3000mg (a typical label dose, not the dose used in the cited trial, which gave 2.25 g twice a day for 12 weeks)
Morning or early afternoon, With food
Gelatinized maca powder (easier to digest)
200-250mg elemental magnesium daily
Evening for sleep/relaxation (glycinate), Morning for energy (malate), Anytime (citrate)
Depends on goal - see notes
and 4 more not shown
6-12 weeks
4-8 weeks
4-8 weeks
1-2 weeks
1-2 weeks
1 week
Immediate
Effects of Maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp.) on Physical Performance in Animals and Humans: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Nutrients (2024) · Meta analysis
A systematic review of 21 randomised studies of maca in animals and humans, 16 of them pooled in a meta-analysis. The abstract pools animal and human studies and does not report human results separately.
A review of the study of active components and their pharmacology value in Lepidium meyenii (Maca)
Phytotherapy research : PTR (2021) · Review
Additionally, the research on the change of active components in Maca at different growth stages by MS will be beneficial to full utilization of active components in Maca and other natural resources.
Enhancement of Interferon-γ Secretion by Lepidium meyenii Extract Supplementation After Exhaustive Endurance Exercise in Healthy Men: A Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial
International journal of medical sciences (2025) · Rct · n=20
Regarding the main time effect, the number of lymphocytes in all participants was significantly lower at 2 and 4 hours after exercise than before supplementation.
Magnesium supplementation in pregnancy
The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2014) · Meta analysis · n=9090
Ten trials involving 9090 women and their babies. Only two were judged to be of high quality overall.
Magnesium Supplementation and Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Hypertension (2025) · Meta analysis · n=2709
38 RCTs with 2709 participants, median 365 mg elemental magnesium for a median 12 weeks. Systolic BP -2.81 mmHg (95% CI -4.32 to -1.29), diastolic -2.05 mmHg versus placebo.
Magnesium and Potassium Supplementation for Systolic Blood Pressure Reduction in the General Normotensive Population: A Systematic Review and Subgroup Meta-Analysis for Optimal Dosage and Treatment Length
Nutrients (2024) · Meta analysis
Both supplements demonstrated greater reductions in SBP for the general population at lower dosages and longer treatment durations.
Magnesium has a higher evidence score (8.5/10 vs 5.5/10) and wins in 2 of 3 categories.
For bone health, Magnesium has a higher relevance score (85 vs 60).
No documented interaction was found in the data searched. This does not establish that this exact combination is safe.
CoQ10, zinc, selenium, carnitine modestly help sperm parameters — but live-birth evidence is weak.
Hot flashes, bone, sleep, muscle — the basics that hold up vs the phytoestrogen hype.
The transition years (40s): cycle changes, mood, sleep, brain fog — foundations, vitex, and starting muscle work early.
Mostly hype unless you’re deficient — what has modest evidence vs what doesn’t, and when to see a doctor.
The right pick depends on your goals. Answer a few quick questions for a personalised recommendation — or dig into the full evidence on each.