Horny goat weed is an herb that has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. It is used for treating low libido, erectile dysfunction (ED), fatigue, pain, and other conditions.

Lab studies have shown that a compound (icariin) present in this herb blocks the effects of the PDE5 enzyme that restricts blood flow to the penis. This activity is similar to that of other clinically used drugs for ED.

Notably, each Max Performer pill contains horny goat weed extract that is standardized to deliver 10% icariin. At this time, there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for horny goat weed.

Products containing this herb should be used with caution if the user is taking anti-hypertensive or anti-coagulant medication.

Safety of the horny goat weed extract has been demonstrated following oral consumption up to a six-month period. Long-term use of horny goat weed might cause dizziness, vomiting, dry mouth, thirst, and nosebleed.

Maca is a plant belonging to the mustard family and preparations from this plant, specifically its root, have been reported to improve sexual function.

It has been used in the Andes for centuries to enhance fertility in humans. It is one of the most commonly cited natural drugs on the internet for the improvement of sexual desire.

Animal experiments suggest that Maca has spermatogenic and fertility-enhancing activities. Recent clinical trials have also suggested significant effects of maca for increasing sperm count and mobility and improving sexual function in humans.

It is also known to support muscle growth and is used in certain muscle building supplements. At this time, there is not enough literature to determine reference doses for maca.

Doses up to 3 grams daily, much higher than the dose in Max Performer, seem to be safe when taken orally for up to 4 months.

There is no information relating to interactions of maca with other drugs consumed simultaneously.

Korean Red Ginseng is considered a potent antioxidant and immunity booster. It has been traditionally used in Asian medicine to treat impotence.

Clinical study reports conclude that this herb can be an effective treatment for ED. Researchers have concluded that red ginseng may be an effective alternative treatment for impotence.

Ginseng can help prevent colds and lessen the severity of heart disease symptoms. It may also be effective in increasing alertness, decreasing stress, and improving endurance.

Insomnia is the most common side effect of Korean ginseng. Less common effects include headache, agitation, upset stomach, and dizziness.

Drugs such as corticosteroids and blood thinners should be used with caution while consuming products containing Korean ginseng. No optimal dose of Korean ginseng is mentioned in the literature.

Cordyceps is a Chinese medicinal fungus known to have antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. This mushroom has been used traditionally to improve longevity and sex drive.

Reduced sperm malformation and increased sperm count and survival rate have been observed in human clinical trials involving cordyceps consumption.

A clearly defined optimal dose for cordyceps powder cannot be found in the literature. Oral consumption of Cordyceps might cause activation of the immune system and should be avoided by users with autoimmune disorders.

Cordyceps products should be used with caution while taking immunosuppressants and prednisolone. Cordyceps is safe for most people when taken orally, short-term.

It might cause mild side effects such as diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal discomfort. It can increase the risk of bleeding during surgery and consumption of products containing Cordyceps should be stopped 2 weeks prior to surgery.

Max Performer tablets also provide 15 mg bioperine per dose. Bioperine is a patented extract obtained from black pepper fruits standardized to deliver 95% piperine.

It is reputed to increase the body’s ability to absorb active ingredients; stimulate cellular energy, and improve blood flow and stamina. It can increase the bioavailability of other ingredients it is combined with, by up to 30%.

It has been  assigned a Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) status after a comprehensive review of safety and toxicology data.

The suggested oral dose for bioperine is 5 mg used 3 times daily which is exactly the amount supplied by the recommended dose of two tablets of Max Performer.

It may also have immune-suppressing, tumor-inhibiting and antidepressant effects. One potential adverse effect of piperine is that it may enhance the absorption of medicines, bringing them to dangerous levels in the blood stream and co-administering it with certain medicines should be done with caution.

Rare side effects of bioperine, if any, are skin rashes, decreased appetite and irritability.

The next ingredient in this product is selenium (120 µg/dose). Selenium is an essential trace mineral that assists with cognitive function and fertility.

Natural food sources of selenium are nuts, fish and grains. Selenium has attracted attention because of its antioxidant properties. It is thought to help prevent cardiovascular disease, thyroid problems, and certain types of cancer.

The recommended daily allowance for adults is 55 µg per day and the safe upper limit for selenium is 400 µg a day in adults. The Max Performer product dose is well below this limit.

Taken at normal doses, selenium does not usually have side effects. An overdose of selenium may cause bad breath, fever, and nausea, as well as liver, kidney and heart problems amongst other symptoms.

Selenium may interact with other medicines and supplements, such as some antacids, chemotherapy drugs, corticosteroids, niacin, cholesterol-lowering statin drugs.

Max Performer tablets also deliver zinc at 24 mg per dose. Studies have established a clear relationship between zinc and testosterone levels.

Zinc deficiency can lead to a decrease in testosterone levels and reduced sexual performance. It is the second most abundant trace element in humans and plays a vital role in a number of physiological processes.

Rodent diet supplemented with 5 mg per day zinc has been shown to greatly improve sexual function. Inclusion of zinc in this product can have multi-fold benefits for the user such as improved sperm quality, address symptoms of ED, and impart antioxidant activity.

Up to 40mg zinc taken daily by mouth is completely safe. So the recommended Max Performer dose should not be responsible for any side effects. There are no drug interactions described for zinc in the literature.

Pantothenic acid, also known as vitamin B5, is present in this product at 40mg per dose (two tablets). It is necessary for making blood cells, and it helps us convert the food we eat into energy.

Some of the richest dietary sources of vitamin B5 are beef, chicken, organ meats, whole grains, and some vegetables. Regular intake of B5 has been shown to reduce elevated cholesterol levels in human subjects.

Rodent studies show that B5 plays a crucial role in testicular function and sperm health. It is also believed to be important for stress-related and sex hormone synthesis.

RDA for this vitamin for adult males is 5mg per day. No major side effects or interactions with other drugs are reported in the literature. Only very high doses of 10gms per day can cause diarrhoea.

This product also delivers several important vitamin B isoforms – vitamin B5, B6, B3, B2 and B12. Pyridoxine (also known as vitamin B6), in the form of its hydrochloride salt, is present at 10 mg/2 tablets.

It is found commonly in foods such as potatoes, beef, and fish. It is used frequently as a dietary supplement. Vitamin B6 performs a wide variety of functions in the body and is extremely versatile, with involvement in more than 100 enzymatic reactions in our body, mostly concerned with protein metabolism.

Vitamin B6 deficiency can lead to mood swings, depression, and loss of sex drive. The B6 in Max Performer could help alleviate these symptoms among users.

The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for B6 for adult males is 1.3mg per day. Some products that may interact with this vitamin include: altretamine, cisplatin, phenytoin. Pyridoxine usually has no side effects when used in recommended doses.

Iron is present at 14mg per dose of Max Performer. Iron reduces anaemia and fatigue and maintains thyroid health thus playing an important role in maintaining a healthy sex drive.

Iron deficiency has been shown to reduce sexual desire and arousal. Low iron levels may result in a lack of focus, increased irritability, and reduced stamina.

The RDA for iron is 8mg per day for adult males. More than 20 milligrams of iron a day can cause constipation and other kinds of stomach upset.

Antibiotics should be avoided within two hours of consuming a vitamin and iron containing supplement such as Max Performer.

Max Performer supplies 32mg of niacin (vitamin B3) per dose. Niacin is required for the proper function of fats and sugars in the body and to maintain healthy cells.

Niacin can improve cholesterol levels and lower cardiovascular risks but at very high doses. At lower doses it helps reduce hardening of arteries and reduces the risk of getting a second heart attack.

A daily dose of niacin has been shown to improve erectile function as the subjects could maintain an erection longer during intercourse. B3 is naturally found in foods such as turkey, avocado and peanuts.

RDA for vitamin B3 is 16mg for adult males. A harmless yet uncomfortable side effect of niacin is flushing but this is very rare.

Other minor side effects of niacin are stomach upset, intestinal gas, dizziness, and pain in the mouth. No interactions with medications at the dose found in Max Performer are reported for this vitamin.

Another vitamin B isoform found in Max Performer is riboflavin (vitamin B2). This vitamin is present at 10 mg per dose of the product.

Vitamin B2 helps break down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. It plays a vital role in maintaining the body’s energy supply. It is involved in many processes in the body and is necessary for normal growth and function of cells in the skin, intestine, blood, and brain.

It can be found in certain foods such as milk, meat, eggs, nuts, enriched flour, and green vegetables. B2 is likely safe for most people when taken by mouth.

In some people, riboflavin can cause the urine to turn a yellow-orange color. It may also cause diarrhoea. The RDA for vitamin B2 is 1.3mg/day for adult males.

This vitamin shows some interactions with drugs such as anti-depressants. However, these interactions do not warrant caution.

There is no study that describes the direct contribution of B2 to male sexual health. However, its ability to fuel healthy cell growth and function might implicate it in maintaining sexual vigour and vitality and hence vitamin B2 might have been included in this product.

Yet another vitamin B isoform present in Max Performer is cyanocobalamin, also known as vitamin B12. 10 µg of B12 is present per dose of the product.

Vitamin B12 is required for proper red blood cell formation, neurological function, and DNA synthesis. In several clinical studies, a deficiency of vitamin B12 has been linked to ED and infertility.

Vitamin B12 performs numerous important functions in the body. Because vitamin B12 is vital for the formation and duplication of DNA, it promotes the formation of red blood cells, supports brain function, enhances cellular metabolism, increases sexual function in men, and plays a role in the healthy sperm production.

B12 may help improve male fertility due to the associated the increase in sperm count. A recent study showed that the number of spermatozoa in the ejaculate can be boosted to 100 million per ml and more (from less than 20 million per ml) if a man gets 1000 µg daily vitamin B12 injections.

Besides, there is increasing evidence pointing at the positive role of this vitamin in protecting penile nerves and stimulating blood circulation, which can improve ED.

Vitamin B12 can be found only in the products of animal origin. The greatest amount of vitamin B12 is available in by-products (liver, heart and kidneys). Other good sources of vitamin B12 include cheese, meat, seafood (crabs, sardines, salmon fish), and poultry.

RDA for vitamin B12 is 2.4µg/day for adult males. No adverse effects have been documented associated with excess vitamin B12 intake from food and supplements in healthy individuals.

This vitamin may interact with certain drugs, such as chloramphenicol and metformin, and individuals taking these medications should exercise caution.