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Ashwagandha
When selecting an Ashwagandha supplement, make sure it contains KSM-66 for maximum benefit. This extraction process draws out the full health properties of the entire plant, not just the leaves, giving you the strongest possible results.
Using the entire plant extends its full health benefits and makes it a potent and wise choice when assessing options. Naturally, our ashwagandha contains KSM-66 to harness its full therapeutic potential.
Are you interested in learning how an adaptogen can help improve your life and the lives of those around you?
Drawing on elements from the past, let's explore how this unique remedy can help with stress, neurological imbalance, or simply make you feel better. Read on to discover how this adaptogen can positively impact your life!
Helps to Regulate Stress Response
Stress can be a difficult part of modern life, but there are ways to help our bodies handle it.
A natural supplement like Ashwagandha has been found to support the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the system that manages our body's fight-or-flight response.
This response is triggered by the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that helps regulate hormones, which causes the pituitary gland to release stress hormones1. With the help of Ashwagandha, we can better manage our stress levels.
The body's reaction to 'threats' is the same regardless of whether it's a shark or an email from your boss - releasing stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. When this happens too often, it can lead to adrenal fatigue, inflammation, and nervous system overload2.
Fortunately, ashwagandha can help the body cope with chronic stress. It's a supplement I strongly recommend for most people.
May Help Boost Testosterone in Men
Interestingly, a recent study involving 43 overweight men of varying ages taking ashwagandha supplements for 8 weeks had such impressive results - a 14.7% increase in testosterone compared to the placebo group!
As steroid hormones can take several months to regulate, an increase of almost 15% testosterone is intriguing and worth trying if you are looking to boost your testosterone3.
May Boost Memory
Studies suggest that taking ashwagandha may help to improve cognitive functions, like attention, memory, and speed of processing information.
In one study of 50 adults, taking 600 mg of ashwagandha for 8 weeks led to an increase in their ability to focus on day-to-day activities, recall both short- and long-term information, and think faster4.
May Improve Sleep
As outlined, ashwagandha has been shown to directly impact the functioning of the HPA axis, which helps to regulate sleep and keep cortisol and adrenaline levels stable. If these hormones are not regulated, they can cause broken and disrupted sleep, which can have a negative effect on daily functioning and the ability to cope with stressful events5.
Additionally, ashwagandha can help to stimulate GABAergic and serotonergic pathways, aka stimulation of our feel-good hormonal pathways. Both processes in the body have a direct impact on emotional state and wellbeing6. While further research is needed to confirm its effects on anxiety and depression, the evidence so far is promising!
May Improve Menopausal Symptoms
It’s already been outlined that this botanical can help reduce insomnia, one of the most common symptoms of menopause.
During menopause, the adrenal glands take on the role of producing hormones, which can be an extra strain on them, especially oestrogen production7.
Ashwagandha can help lessen the cortisol response from the adrenal glands, allowing it to work better and help balance out hormones, including oestrogen. This can help reduce stress levels and mood swings.
May Improve Athletic Performance
For those of us who love to get active, adaptogens such as ashwagandha can be a great help!
One three-month study of 49 healthy participants found that supplementing with ashwagandha led to an increase of up to 13.6% of maximum oxygen consumption8. This means improved physical and psychological health and better strength and endurance.
Plus, ashwagandha's antioxidant properties can help repair the body after an intense workout.
A Word of Warning
Ashwagandha can be a great supplement to take, but it is important to talk to your general practitioner before trying it if you are already taking medication which affects thyroid function9, or any medication for neurological health, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, anxiety, and depression. Herbs and botanicals can be powerful and can sometimes disrupt the absorption and utilisation of common medications, so it's always best to be safe!
Furthermore, ashwagandha acts upon the same receptors in the brain responsible for calmness and arousal, so it could interact with medications used for nervous system regulation such as antidepressants and SSRIs.
Remember, although this botanical is generally safe, it may still interfere with the effectiveness of the medications you are taking.
