ASHWAGANDHA 500MG -60 CAPS

Ashwagandha 500mg 60’s

Ashwagandha is an exotic Indian herb commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine (originatedin India over 3000 years ago). Its botanical name is Withania somnifera, but isalso commonly known as Indian ginseng, poison gooseberry, or winter cherry. It isa plant in the Solanaceae or nightshade family. Though used for a variety of medicalissues, one of the best known is the reduction of cortisol levels in stress situations.

In an ideal world we would make lifelong stress management an integral part ofour daily life. We would sleep eight to nine hours nightly. We would take frequentmini-vacations from work to restore cortisol and stress hormone equilibrium. Wewould eat only nutritious foods, and avoid alcohol and stimulants such as caffeine,pseudo-ephidrine etc. We would utilize stress reduction techniques such as tai chi,meditation, quiet prayer, massage, etc. We would take brisk 30-to-60-minute walksdaily in a pleasant, safe park. We would live in quiet homes without chronic noisestress from loud TVs, stereos, barking dogs, traffic, etc. Our air and water wouldbe clean, and we wouldn't be subject to chemical stressors such as lead, mercury,fluoride, pesticides, environmental estrogens, medical drugs, etc. Unfortunately,most of us are lucky if we can practice one or two aspects of such an integral stressmanagement lifestyle.

How it works and what it may benefit:

Stress

If the stresses in our life are only occasional, and we take adequate time forrest, relaxation and sleep to restore cortisol and stress hormone equilibrium, thenoccasional stress cortisol release will not be a problem. Yet if we live a typicalmodern Western lifestyle, we are subject to chronic stress, with inadequate nutrition,rest, relaxation and sleep, and are subject to chronic excessive cortisol levels.

It is important to realize that while everyone has the same psychobiologic stressmachinery (the LHPA axis - limbic-hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal), the stressorsthat can trigger a stress reaction are infinitely variable. Almost any type of physicalor mental stress can lead within minutes to greatly enhanced secretion of ACTH andconsequently cortisol as well, often increasing cortisol secretion as much as 20-fold.Even imaginary stressors, such as fearfully imagining a future event (e.g. an upcomingcourt trial or SARS audit), can trigger the LHPA axis into stress overreaction.(See notes on cortisol below.)

So we can see that chronic stress with raised cortisol levels exacts a high pricefrom our bodies and minds. Many degenerative diseases, as well as premature aging,are associated with chronic nervous tension. Safe and effective prevention strategiesto combat the ravages of stress on our nervous system are necessary.

Sustained periods of stress result in high levels of the stress hormone, cortisolbeing released into our bodies. Some of the diseases that chronically excessiveamounts of cortisol may trigger are cancer, ulcers, heart attacks, diabetes, infections,alcoholism, strokes, skin diseases, psychosis, and possibly Parkinson's and Alzheimer'sdisease, multiple sclerosis and myasthenia gravis. Cortisol excess may contributeto obesity not only because of the metabolic derangements (including insulin resistance)that it promotes, but also because it induces stress overeating, especially (butnot only) in women

Ashwagandha, has remarkable stress-relieving properties, some studies say comparableto those of powerful drugs used to treat depression and anxiety. Besides assistingin stress relief it also protects the brain cells against the deleterious effectsof our modern, stress filled lifestyles including the effect of environmental toxinsand poor nutrition. It has been shown to have an excellent protective effect onthe nervous system. Researchers have noted that ashwagandha supports significantregeneration of the axons and dendrites of nerve cells and supports the reconstructionof synapses (the junctions where nerve cells communicate with other cells.)

Anti-Cancer Activity

Studies suggest that Ashwagandha also has the potential to inhibit the growthof human breast, lung, and colon cancer cell in the laboratory.   Scientistsin India recently conducted cell studies showing that Ashwagandha Extract disruptscancer cells’ ability to reproduce—a key step in fighting cancer. Certain studieswith laboratory animals have shown that growth of stomach tumours and skin cancersare inhibited.

Supplement information:

Safety: Animal toxicity studies indicate that this remarkableplant is safe and well tolerated.

The Dark Side of Cortisol

Cortisol is an essential stress protection hormone and is essential for life.Serious cortisol deficiency produces Addison's disease, a potentially fatal illness.