Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera Dunal) is an adaptogenic herb that is widely recognised in Aryuvedic medicine, commonly being referred to as Indian Ginseng. Traditionally it has been used for rejuvenating and restoring benefits. Adaptogens are a class of rejuvenating herbs, helpful for fighting stress, anxiety and fatigue by balancing the way the body adapts and responds.
Extensive research and development has led to KSM-66® Ashwagandha being the highest concentration spectrum on the market. It is derived only from the roots of the plant, and a unique extraction process yields the optimum percentage of withanolides, retaining the other bioactives of the plant, which are required for the efficacy of the herb. Withanolides are an active ingredient, a group of naturally occurring steroidal saponins that have shown anti-inflammatory effects in several studies. KSM-66® withanolide content is measured by HLPC and is found to be of >5% concentration.
So, what are the top benefits?
Stressful situations can increase the levels of cortisol within the body and increase anxiety levels. Ashwagandha is an adaptogen known to promote homeostasis, which helps the body to maintain its fine balance in order to cope with external and internal stresses we face, producing calm, increasing focus and improving general wellbeing.
KSM-66® was used in a clinical study and it was concluded that it improved the individuals’ resistance to stress and their self-assessed quality of life. In the 8 week study of adults receiving 300mg of ashwagandha twice daily, cortisol levels were substantially reduced, and they exhibited a significant reduction in scores on stress assessment scales after the 60 days.
Poor quality sleep can have a significant effect on both physical health and mental wellbeing. A study of sleep challenged subjects suggested the use of ashwagandha has a positive impact on sleep, with the potential to treat sleeplessness and anxiety. All sleep parameters following 10 weeks treatment with a twice daily dose of 300mg full spectrum ashwagandha root extract significantly improved; including sleep onset latency (the duration it takes to fall asleep), sleep efficiency, sleep quality and anxiety rating.
Ashwagandha is prized for its ability to increase vitality, energy, stamina and endurance, which has piqued the interest of the sporting world for its potential to enhance physical performance. In a study of healthy athletic adults cardiorespiratory endurance was assessed throughout an 8 week trial, and showed a significant improvement in maximum aerobic capacity (VO2 Max) for those individuals receiving ashwagandha root extract over a placebo. Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes (RESTQ), and Daily Analysis of Life Demands for Athletes (DALDA) questionnaires, along with antioxidant level measurements, also yielded better outcomes.
Ashwagandha has traditionally been used for brain support, to enhance memory and improve cognition. These are things of which their decline is often associated with the ageing process. An 8 week study of 50 adults showed those treated twice daily with 300mg ashwagandha root extract demonstrated improvements in both immediate and general memory, as well as executive function, sustained attention and information-processing speed.
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