Ashwagandha – How Can It Help You?
Ashwagandha is a powerful adaptogenic herb – meaning it helps the body cope with stress. This includes the physical stress that can come from intense workouts. For this reason, it’s become a popular addition to the serious lifter’s supplement arsenal, often in the patented KSM-66® form. What is that, you might ask? In this edition of Ingredient Close-Up, we’ll find out!
What Is Ashwagandha?
As noted, it is an adaptogenic herb that has a long history of use in Ayurvedic medicine. As an adaptogen, it helps the body deal with, or adapt to, stress. This includes emotional stress and physical stress.
What Is Withanolide?
This is the active ingredient in Ashwagandha. Withanolide is actually a group of 300+ naturally-occurring steroidal lactones found in plants such as Ashwagandha. They are structurally similar to ginsenosides, the active ingredient in ginseng. For that reason they are often studied for their medicinal benefits. (1)
What Is KSM-66®?
The major advantages of branded ingredients is their quality and the fact that they have clinical studies that back up their effectiveness. That adds a lot of credibility to this or any supplement. In this case, KSM-66®, called the “world’s best Ashwagandha, is standardized to contain at least 5% withanolides. Since its release, KSM-66® has become one of the most popular types of Ashwagandha on the market.
KSM-66® has been extensively tested for purity, safety, potency, and efficacy, which is part of the process for all branded ingredients. In addition Ixoreal Biomed, the company that developed this ingredient, gets their Ashwagandha extract by using an extraction process known as “green chemistry”. This process does not use harsh alcohol or synthetic solvents which ensures the Ashwagandha extract is pure and exceptionally bioactive. (2)
What Are The Benefits?
Helps You Deal With Stress & Anxiety
Ashwagandha has become popular because of its ability to ease stress. Controlling the long-term effects of stress helps provide improved health and well-being. Relief from anxiety goes hand in hand with relief from stress.
Increases Energy
This powerful extract improves energy by decreasing physical and mental stress. This reduces cortisol levels, and improves sleep quality. It helps fight fatigue and the “tired and wired” feeling, thereby providing sustained vitality.
Eases Adrenal Fatigue
Besides stress, one of the causes of adrenal fatigue is the use of stimulants such as caffeine or the stims in your favorite pre-workout. Ashwagandha eases adrenal fatigue by promoting hormonal balance.
This includes reigning in the catabolic hormone cortisol. As a serious lifter you should know that controlling cortisol means you stay in an anabolic state which means you’re in the ideal position for recovery and muscle growth.
Reduces Stress-Related Cravings
By controlling cortisol also helps you reach your fat loss goals. If cortisol is brought in check, you won’t have to deal with stress-related cravings.
Eases Inflammation
This impressive herb helps lower inflammation in the body which promotes recovery and overall health.
Testosterone Support
You will find this herb in several test-boosting formulas. This is mainly due to its cortisol-controlling benefits, as mentioned above. The testosterone to cortisol ratio is an important tool that measures levels of cortisol and free testosterone.
It’s crucial to point out that free testosterone is what the body uses for “other” functions, such as building muscle. By limiting cortisol, more free testosterone is available for use. Of the total amount of testosterone used by the body, roughly 2% -3% is “free”. (3)
Suggested Products
Real Formulas KSM-66® Ashwagandha
Real Formulas KSM-66® Ashwagandha features 1200 mg per 2 capsules of this patented form. There’s also 10 mg of Piperine for optimal absorption.
5% Nutrition Core KSM-66®
This formula features 1200 mg of KSM-66® organic Ashwagandha per serving. 5% uses this version because it provides the highest concentration, and it’s considered to be the most bio-available form of this impressive herb. Not to mention, it’s a full spectrum extract that took 14 years to develop.
Hi-Tech Ashwaganda
Hi-Tech has created a unique formula that combines three patented versions of this powerful adaptogenic herb. They are: KSM-66® (125 mg per tablet), Sensoril® (125 mg per tablet) and AshwaPure® (350 mg per tablet). In addition, they have combined these ingredients with their Cyclosome® Technology for optimal absorption. Two tablets provide the 1200 mg dose of the other products on this list.
What Is Sensoril®
Sensoril® Ashwagandha is manufactured by a company called Natreon, Inc. They specialize in Ayurvedic botanical extracts. Sensoril® is a patented and clinically studied Ashwagandha extract that comes from both the leaves and the roots of the Withania somnifera plant. (5)
What Is AshwaPure®?
This patented version is actually manufactured by Hi-Tech themselves. As a well-known manufacturer, it’s n not surprising they would come up with their own version. It’s standardized to 5% total withanolides and focuses only on the root for maximum effectiveness.
A Quick How To Use Summary
| Product | Dose | How To Use |
| Real Formulas KSM-66® | 1200 mg | 2 capsules, 1 in am, 1 in pm w/meals |
| 5% Nutrition Core KSM-66® | 1200 mg | Also 2 capsules, 1 in am, 1 in pm w/meals |
| Hi-Tech Ashwagandha | 125mg Sesoril®, 125 mg KSM-66®350 mg AshwaPure® | 1 tablet, 1 in am, 1 in pm w/meals. Features Cyclosome® Technology for better absorption. |
Are There Any Side Effects?
Ashwagandha is considered safe for short-term use (up to 3 months). However, it might cause mild side effects such as diarrhea, nausea, stomach discomfort, and drowsiness. It’s rare, but high doses (use as directed!) can lead to serious issues, including liver damage. It should be avoided by pregnant women and people with specific conditions like autoimmune diseases, hormone-sensitive cancer, or thyroid issues. (4)
I advise starting with half the recommended dosage of any product you plan to use. Use this dosage for 5-7 days, then move up to the full dose.
Summary
As you can see, Ashwagandha can be a very beneficial herb. As an adaptogen, it should really be in the arsenal of every serious lifter. So before you go to the gym and power through your workout, stop by illpumpyouup.com and stock up today!
References:
- Ashwagandha: multiple health benefits – ScienceDirect
- https://ksm66ashwagandhaa.com/what-is-ksm66.php
- https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Ashwagandha-HealthProfessional/#:~:text=Overall%2C%20the%20studies%20found%20that%20ashwagandha%20significantly,to%20600%20mg/day%20than%20with%20lower%20doses.
- https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/ashwagandha#:~:text=In%20some%20individuals%2C%20ashwagandha%20preparations%20may%20cause,and%20should%20not%20be%20used%20while%20breastfeeding.
- https://www.nutraceuticalsworld.com/breaking-news/natreon-transitions-to-direct-distribution-of-sensoril-ashwagandha-ingredient/