Ashwagandha
Stress reliever
- Relieves stress and anxiety
- Supports strength and endurance
- Helps maintain a healthy circulatory system
- Reduces blood glucose
- Improves male fertility
Vegan
Vegetarian
Gluten-Free
Non-GMOAshwagandha has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine for a variety of ailments and is said to confer the strength and virility of a horse![1] Scientific studies have confirmed many of its benefits as an adaptogen[2] herb that helps our body modulate stress and anxiety.[3] Early evidence shows that it may also improve exercise endurance, cholesterol levels and fertility whilst reducing blood glucose levels.
Our Ashwagandha has been formulated with KSM-66 Ashwagandha Root Extract, the high concentration, most bioavailable form available created via a process that took 14 years of R&D to develop and refine. It is also the most clinically studied and has been evaluated in 22 “Gold Standard” human clinical trials (http://ksm66ashwagandhaa.com/clinical-studies/).
| Product Type: 1 Veggie Capsule Dosage: 300mg |
Hypromellose (cellulose capsule), rice flour and magnesium stearate (vegetable source)
milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat and soybeans
Early studies show Ashwagandha is effective in reducing chronic stress and may be useful in reducing social anxiety[4] and dysfunction.[5] One study also noted that Ashwagandha decreased symptoms of depression, although to a lesser extent than with regards to anxiety.[6]
Illustrative Cases
In a 2016 study, volunteers taking Ashwagandha reported improved scores on the ‘Perceived Stress Scale’ and the ‘Oxford Happiness Questionnaire’.[7]
In a 2012 double-blind study on the effect of supplementing 300 mg of Ashwagandha for 60 days in persons with chronic mental stress, it found Ashwagandha decreased stress and reduced blood cortisol by 30%.[8]
Research Score: Strong
Studies found that Ashwagandha reduced perceptions of fatigue and improved power output in sprint tests and strength training for trained, sedentary and untrained persons[9] [10] however more research is needed before we have further confidence in it or know the optimal dose.
Illustrative Cases
In one study, supplementing 500mg of Ashwagandha improved power output, sprint speed and VO2 max (maximum oxygen consumption) without affecting blood pressure. Another study found supplementation increased V02 max and stamina in elite cyclists, again with no affect on blood pressure.[11]
In 2015, 50 healthy male and female athletes did shuttle runs over 12 weeks and their VO2 Max was recorded. The group supplementing Ashwagandha showed a significant increase in V02 Max.[12]
Research Score: Strong
Supplementing Ashwagandha showed a decrease in total cholesterol by approximately 10% even if patients did not previously have high cholesterol.[13] It was also shown to increase good cholesterol by 17% in one study[14] and decrease bad cholesterol in another.[15] Further studies showed decrease blood pressure[16] and a slight decrease in triglycerides (essential circulating fatty acids, high levels of which can create circulatory problems) in those with metabolic impairments. However, it should be noted that Ashwagandha does not appear to affect people with normal triglyceride levels.[17]
Research Score: Strong
Early studies suggest Ashwagandha may help to decrease blood glucose although the magnitude is fairly small.[18]
Research Score: Promising
Ashwagandha appears to increase luteinizing hormone, the hormone that regulates fertility and stimulates testosterone production,[19] and increases the ability of sperm to move in medium, which is believed to increase fertility.[20] It also appears to increase seminal quality, although more studies examining its effect against alternative drugs are needed.[21] It may increase testosterone levels in infertile men who are low in testosterone and those undergoing strength training. However, it does not appear to have an inherent testosterone boosting effect in normal men.[22]
Research Score: Strong
1. Charak Samhita 6000BC, author. Charaka translation into English: Translator: Shree Gulabkunverba
Ayurvedic Society. Jamnagar, India: 1949
2. Singh N. Herbs - The Life of Man, Need Pharmaco-clinical Studies for their Scientific Validation - Relevance of Modern Methods of Pharmacological Studies to Traditional Medicine. Lucknow: Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, C.S.M. Medical University, Scientific Convention Centre; 2008. pp. 37–43.
3. Chandrasekhar K, Kapoor J, Anishetty S. A Prospective, Randomized Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Safety and Efficacy of a High-Concentration Full-Spectrum Extract of Ashwagandha Root in Reducing Stress and Anxiety in Adults. Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine. 2012;34(3):255-262. doi:10.4103/0253-7176.10602
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7. Body Weight Management in Adults Under Chronic Stress Through Treatment With Ashwagandha Root Extract: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial Choudhary D, Bhattacharyya S, and Joshi K., Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine, 2016
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12. Efficacy of Ashwagandha (*Withania somnifera [L.]
Dunal*) in improving cardiorespiratory endurance in healthy athletic adults Choudhary B, Shetty A and Langade D.G., AYU Journal - An International Quarterly Journal of Research in Ayurveda, 2015
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