Ashwa-what?! Some superfoods are fads that will quickly fade away. We’re sharing with you why ashwagandha is here for the long haul!
Ashwa-what?! Ashwagandha, pronounced, “ash-wa-gon-da” is an ancient medicinal herb that has been used for over 3,000 years in Ayurvedic medicine. You will most likely find this herb umbrellaed under the term “superfoods”.
However, ashwagandha is so much more than a trendy superfood herb. There’s a reason this particular adaptogen is all the craze right now. Whereas superfoods are known to be nutritionally dense—making them an important part of a healthy diet—ashwagandha can help to improve the overall quality of your life. Some superfoods are fads that will quickly fade away. We’re sharing with you why ashwagandha is here for the long haul!
What is An Adaptogen?
Adaptogens are a select group of herbs and roots that support the body’s natural ability to deal with stress. Some adaptogens you may already be familiar with are turmeric, goji berries, and certain types of mushrooms. They are called adaptogens because of their unique ability to “adapt” their function according to the specific needs of the body. Although adaptogens have similar health characteristics, it’s important to note that they can all work in different ways. Ashwagandha is a bit more distinct, and some may even argue, royalty when it comes to the adaptogen family.
What is Ashwagandha Used For?
The Sanskrit name translates to "smell of the horse", referring to its unique smell and ability to increase strength. It is considered an adaptogen, which are phytochemicals made from plants with the sole purpose of improving homeostasis within the body and enhancing one's ability to manage stress.
Aside from its traditional usage for stress relief and improved strength, this “super-herb” is also linked to many other health benefits including maintaining healthy blood sugar levels along with brain and memory function.
If you are looking to enhance your athletic performance, reduce your stress levels, balance out your blood sugar, or increase your memory, ashwagandha may be the secret herb you are lacking in your diet!
Health Benefits of Ashwagandha
Let’s do a deep dive into the different ways ashwagandha has been used in the past to help enhance one’s body and see if any of these benefits resonate with you!
MANAGE STRESS
Ashwagandha supplementation has been shown to be significantly more effective than placebo in helping with feelings of unease, and reducing stress. (1) It has also shown improvements in sleep quality. These results correlated with lower cortisol levels. Cortisol is an important stress hormone released by your adrenal glands in response to stress. In some cases, due to high prolonged stress, our bodies may produce more cortisol than necessary. When our cortisol levels are continuingly high, it may be more difficult for our body to have a healthy response to inflammatory reactions. Ashwagandha supplementation may help to reduce these increased levels of cortisol. (2)
ENHANCED ENERGY LEVELS AND PERFORMANCE
Several studies have shown improved body composition and increased levels of endurance and energy in athletes that supplemented with Ashwagandha. (3) In one study performed on healthy men to determine safe and effective doses of this herb, resulted in unexpected findings. The men were given 750-1250 mg of pulverized ashwagandha daily and it helped to increase their muscle strength within 30 days. (4) It also more than doubled their reductions of body fat percentages, compared to the placebo group.
BRAIN AND MEMORY FUNCTION
With the stimulating world we live in, our brains are continuously working in over time trying to process everything we throw at it from our work, to the classes we may be taking, and the screens we are constantly in front of. Now more than ever it is harder for us to stay clear minded and focused. Brain fog, forgetting important dates, and letting details slip through the cracks are all things we could avoid going through daily if we had the right brain support.
Research has shown that ashwagandha encourages antioxidant activity that promotes nerve cells from free radicals. This is especially important for brain and memory function.
In one study looking at the effects of ashwagandha on memory, subjects that took 600mg/day of this root extract demonstrated significant improvements in memory recall and general memory compared to the placebo. This experimental group also exhibited improvements in continuous attention and information processing speed. (5)
Which Ashwagandha Should I Take?
When taking herbal supplements, it’s always important to consider the quality. Some manufacturers do not take the proper care and consideration when sourcing their extracts, resulting in low quality and substandard supplements.
BalanceGenics Ashwagandha is manufactured in the USA in a GMP certified facility, and is third party tested for safety and purity. All of our supplements are non-GMO, gluten and soy free, and have no added sugars, preservatives or artificial flavors. So you can rest-assure you are receiving the highest quality and potency when supplementing with our products.
BalanceGenics Ashwagandha delivers a pure supplement that you can trust, made with natural ingredients. In our ashwagandha capsules, you will find a blend of the following adaptogens: Ashwagandha Root, Panax Ginseng, Acerola Fruit, Astragalus Root, Licorice Root, Suma Root, Holy Basil, and Eleutherococcus Senticosus. It also includes the natural occurring amino acid, L-Tyrosine, that produces important brain chemicals for optimal nerve cell communication.
Final Thoughts
This medicinal herb has been used for thousands of years in providing many health benefits. If you are struggling with stress, blood sugar levels, memory function, or want to see how it can assist in your workout routine, find out how ashwagandha can help you today!
Quick Disclaimer
This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of medical advice or treatment from a personal physician. Readers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither the author(s) nor the publisher of this content take responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All readers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.
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