MACA AND ANTLER FOR AUGMENTING TESTOSTERONE LEVELS

Abstract: Testosterone levels in men are increased by the oral administration of powdered maca and antler.

Description: DESCRIPTION MACA AND ANTLER FOR AUGMENTING TESTOSTERONE LEVELS Technical Field In one aspect, the invention relates to a dietary supplement to increase testosterone levels, especially in humans. In another aspect, the invention relates to increasing plasma testosterone levels using a combination of the edible Andean tuber (Lepidium meyenii), commonly known as maca, with deer or elk antler. Background Art For a number of reasons, elevated testosterone levels are associated with sense of enhanced well-being in men. Total testosterone levels decline with aging, about 0.2% per year in men, and testosterone replacement therapy has been used to improve the status of this hormone. It is an object of this invention to provide a treatment to increase testosterone levels and to provide a sense of enhanced well-being in men. Disclosure of Invention We have found that a combination of the Andean tuber, maca, and antler, such as from deer or elk, is useful in raising testosterone levels in men with low normal or low testosterone levels, while enhancing vitality. Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, we have demonstrated that a combination of powdered maca and powdered deer antler is capable of increasing plasma testosterone levels in men between the ages of 45 and 55. Preferably, the maca is from a tuber of Lepidium meyenii and the antler is from an artiodactyl animal, preferably deer or elk, and most preferably antler in the velvet stage. The powdered maca and antler are administered at a weight ratio of maca to antler which is generally in the range of about 1 :1 to about 100:1, preferably together in admixture at a weight ratio in the range of about 5 : 1 to about 50:1. The combination is preferably administered orally, as an admixture of maca and antler in powdered form, more preferably in the form of a tablet or capsule which consists essentially of the admixture. The tablet or capsule can be taken as a dietary supplement, alone or in combination with other foods. The combination is preferably administered in the form of tablets or capsules which contain both maca and antler. The maca tuber content will generally range from 100 mg to 10 g and the antler content will generally range from 10 mg to 1 g. Preferably, the maca tuber content will be in the range of 250 mg to 2.5 g and the antler content will be in the range of 25 mg to 250 mg. A convenient amount of the combination for capsules or tablets is about 750 mg maca powder and about 50 mg powdered antler. Male patients with low or low normal testosterone levels are treated with the combination in the amount of at least about 250 mg maca power and 25 mg of powdered antler daily. For quickly achieving increased testosterone levels, the patients can be treated with maca powder and powdered deer antler at an initial daily oral dosage in the range of 3 grams of maca or more and 200 mg of deer antler or more. This dosage level can be achieved by ingesting two of the above described capsules or tablets twice daily. The supplement may be taken orally, with meals or between meals. After about two weeks, the patients can be placed on a maintenance oral dosage of about 1.5 g of maca and 100 mg of deer antler daily. This dosage can be achieved by ingesting one capsule or tablet twice daily. Additional capsules can be taken if desired, for example, up to ten capsules or tablets daily. The combination is generally administered to patients who have a first testosterone level at or beneath a normal range in an amount and for a period of time sufficient to cause the patient to have a second testosterone level which is higher than the first testosterone level and is within or slightly above the normal range. What is a normal range will vary depending on age and time of day, and may also vary depending on other factors. Good results have been obtained for patients in the age range of 45-55 years. For the sample group of patients, testosterone levels at least doubled after a time of treatment of at least two weeks, and generally increased in the range of 200% to 500% from initial levels. In the sample study, five men between the ages of 45 and 55 years of age participated. Initial hormone levels were determined by means of a salivary cortisol testing. Testosterone levels in saliva reflect plasma free testosterone in standard test procedures. Because testosterone follows a circadian rhythm, morning and afternoon samples were analyzed. After supplementation for 30 days, salivary testosterone levels were again determined. Testosterone levels increased in five of five subjects. All subjects had initial morning testosterone levels that were within the laboratory reference range, while subjects 1, 2, and 3 had afternoon testosterone levels that were below the reference range. After the treatment described herein, all five patients tested had increased levels for morning and afternoon testosterone. For morning values, the mean increase was 274% (sd = 116) with a range of 158% to 417%. for n = 5. For the afternoon values, the mean increase was 274% (sd = 183) with a range of 116% to 474% for n = 3. The combination treatment increased testosterone levels above the laboratory reference range for morning testosterone in three of the five patients, although supplementation did not increase testosterone values greater than the reference range in the afternoon samples (n = 3). Of interest is one patient follow up. Subject #1 abstained from the maca-antler supplement for 30 days after supplementation. In this subject, salivary testosterone levels dropped back to near base line. A questionnaire elicited participant response before and after supplementation. Based upon participant feedback, ingestion of the maca-antler combination often increased the energy level and sense of well-being in sample population. The results are summarized in Table I. TABLE I Salivary Testosterone levels before and after 30 day supplementation with a combination of maca and velvet deer antler powder. (Testosterone, pg/ml) Subject initial supplementation 30 days 3 0 d ay washout #1 am 48.1 120.7 (+251%) 93.9 pm 39.8 91.9 (231%) 64.3 #2 am 52.8 137.0 (+260%) pm 32.2 37.5 (116%) #3 am 45.5 168.0 (+369%) pm 25.5 121.0 (+475%) # 4 am 58.5 101.7 (+174%) #5 am 102.0 161.2 (+158%) While certain preferred embodiments of the invention are described herein, the invention is not to be construed as so limited, except to the extent that such limitations are found in the claims.

Claims: Claims What is claimed is: 1. A composition of matter comprising an admixture of maca and antler, in powdered form. 2. A composition of matter as in claim 1 consisting essentially of the admixture. 3. A composition of matter as in claim 2 wherein the antler is taken from an artiodactyl animal. 4. A composition of matter as in claim 3 wherein the maca is from a tuber of Lepidium meyenii and the antler is from deer or elk in velvet stage. 5. A composition of matter as in claim 4 which contains a weight ratio of maca to antler which is in the range of about 1:1 to about 100:1. 6. A composition of matter as in claim 5 which is in the form of a tablet or capsule with a maca tuber content ranging from 100 mg to 10 g and an antler content ranging from 10 mg to 1 g. 7. A process comprising orally administering powdered maca and antler together to a man who has a first testosterone level in an amount and for a period of time sufficient to cause said man to have a second testosterone level which is higher than the first testosterone level. 8. A process as in claim 7 wherein the maca and antler are administered in tablet or capsular form, or in combination with other foods. 9. A process as in claim 8 wherein the first testosterone level is at a low, low- normal or normal range. 10. A process as in claim 9 wherein the second testosterone level is at least double the first testosterone level. 11. A process as in claim 9 wherein the second testosterone level is in the range of 200% to 500% of the first testosterone level. 12. A process as in claim 11 wherein the second testosterone level is within the normal or high-normal range. 13. A process as in claim 12 wherein at least about 250 mg of maca powder and 25 mg of powdered antler is administered daily. 14. A process claim as in 12 wherein in the range of 1 to 10 g of maca powder and 100 mg to 1 gram of powdered antler is administered daily for a period of time of at least two weeks. 15. A process as in claim 14 wherein the man is in the age range of 45-55 years.

Inventors: DELUCA DARYL L, DELUCA DENIS R, SPARKS WILLIAM S, DELUCA, DARYL, L., DELUCA, DENIS, R., SPARKS, WILLIAM, S.
Applicants: BIOTICS RES CORP, DELUCA DARYL L, DELUCA DENIS R, SPARKS WILLIAM S, BIOTICS RESEARCH CORPORATION, DELUCA, DARYL, L., DELUCA, DENIS, R., SPARKS, WILLIAM, S.
Application year: 2000
Main classification: A61K35
IPC codes: A23L1, A61K9, A61K35, A61K36, A61P5