Adaptogens are general body support agents that are widely used as everyday dietary supplements. What are the properties of these dietary supplements and how can they attract people who care about their health? Let's figure it out.
What are adaptogens?
An adaptogen is a natural supplement or synthetic drug that helps the body tolerate stress, adapt to other adverse external factors, helps strengthen immunity, and eliminates chronic fatigue. Based on this action, three features of adaptogens are distinguished:
- safety (non-toxicity) when taken in normal (recommended) doses;
- general support of the body in a state of excitatory or depressant stress;
- returning the body to a state of equilibrium (homeostasis).
Adaptogens are believed to stimulate the body's response to biological, chemical, or physical stress, helping the main vital systems return to a balanced state. This is important both for everyday activities in conditions of an intense rhythm of life and adverse environmental and psycho-emotional factors, and in special conditions, for example, after competitions, surgical interventions, and illnesses. Thus, the main value of adaptogens is that they contribute to maintaining homeostasis and restoring normal tone after nervous, physical exertion, adverse environmental factors, etc.
Classification of adaptogens
Depending on their origin, adaptogenic supplements are divided into two groups:
- natural - are processed or unprocessed natural raw materials, which, in addition to components with adaptogenic effects, also contain other beneficial substances;
- synthetic - components of artificial origin, which have an anti-stress effect.
Natural adaptogens
There is a whole complex of adaptogens of natural origin that have shown appropriate balancing properties when used in humans. Depending on the biological nature, supplements are divided into two groups:
- plant adaptogens;
- mushrooms.
The list of adaptogens can be conditionally divided into groups depending on the main vector of influence on the body.
Adaptogens for stress
Adaptogens for stress trigger the body's mechanism to return to a state of equilibrium, helping it to find reserves in a stressful situation. The substances contained in them act on the adrenal glands and other organs of the body, causing a change in the rate of chemical reactions. For example, during stress, cortisol levels naturally increase, while an adaptogenic supplement signals that it is necessary to lower the level of this hormone to stabilize the condition.
Ashwagandha
Withania somnifera - a plant known as "sleeping withania", "ashwagandha", "winter cherry", is a traditional component of Indian traditional medicine. The dried root powder is especially valued. Ashwagandha is an adaptogen that is not only able to counteract stress, fight insomnia and increased excitability, but also has a neuroprotective effect, helps improve memory and cognitive functions, and regulates metabolic processes.
Reishi
Reishi mushroom (Lingzhi, Ganoderma lucidum) has been used in traditional medicine in the Asian region for several millennia, in particular to support the nervous system and restore energy balance. In addition, the components of the "longevity mushroom" have shown a significant effect on restoring immunity, as an antioxidant, hypoglycemic, hepatoprotective, antibacterial and antiviral agent.
Adaptogens for the brain and cognitive abilities
Adaptogens are able to normalize brain function, positively affecting cognitive abilities and concentration. It should be noted that adaptogens and nootropics affect the body in different ways. The former stimulate the restoration of balance, while the latter are aimed at increasing brain activity, that is, they work to shift the balance in one direction.
Rhodiola
Adaptogen Rhodiola rosea or "golden root" is a low plant that grows high in the mountains in Europe, Asia and North America. The root is widely used in folk medicine, demonstrating good results in case of physical and mental fatigue. Also, some studies note the anti-aging effect of Rhodiola, accelerated recovery after neuroses, injuries, and surgical interventions.
Lion's mane mushroom
Lion's mane mushroom or Hericium cep is a mushroom whose fruiting bodies are rich in polysaccharides, hericenones, erinacins, and other active substances. It is positioned as a nootropic, as well as an adaptogenic agent for normalizing memory, attention, and cognitive functions.
Gotu kola.
The gotu kola intensifies cerebral blood circulation, positively affecting mental activity, contributing to the restoration of cognitive functions in the elderly, and exhibiting tonic properties against the background of increased fatigue.
Adaptogens for Energy
Adaptogenic action in case of fatigue is the opposite of the "stress effect" - supplements force the body to produce more cortisol to restore energy balance, performance and normal tone. Here you can find supplements for energy and endurance .
Cordyceps
The medicinal mushroom cordyceps is a Chinese mushroom that is traditionally used in folk medicine in Southeast Asia as a "remedy for 21 diseases" and is included in the official Chinese pharmacopoeia. Its adaptogenic effect is to restore the body after increased stress (for example, in athletes). In addition, cordyceps is promising in terms of restoring liver and kidney function, improving the reproductive system, etc.
Maca
Peruvian Maca is a plant cultivated high in the mountains of Peru. The powder from the dried root is used in commercially available energy drinks, as well as in folk medicine as a supportive supplement and to improve memory.
Ginseng
Ginseng root is considered a good restorative agent in case of physical and mental fatigue, helps to increase performance, helps to resist stress factors and recover from illnesses. Ginseng adaptogen is also indicated in case of neuroses, metabolic disorders, for hormonal regulation and in other cases.
Eleutherococcus
Eleutherococcus adaptogen is included in some energy drinks, as it has a proven tonic effect. The WHO recommends preparations from the root of this plant as a preventive measure to support the body during intense mental and physical exertion, against the background of fatigue, exhaustion, after operations, stress, etc.
Adaptogens for immunity
Adaptogens for immunity include some of the natural stimulants listed above, as well as a number of other mushrooms and plants. A selection of immune supplements is here .
Chaga
Birch mushroom is known mostly for its anti-cancer properties, but it is also effective as a means of normalizing the immune system. Take a look at our range of chaga extract .
Trametes
Trametes multicolor or Turkey Tail mushroom has a pronounced immunostimulating and immunomodulatory effect, which is due to the high content of beta-glucans. In addition to supporting the immune system, Kawaratake mushroom is used in oriental medicine as an antiviral, antimicrobial drug, hepatoprotector and a means for normalizing the condition of the gastrointestinal tract.
Echinacea
Echinacea purpurea is one of the most famous types of raw materials in American folk medicine. Its decoctions and infusions have been used for centuries to restore immunity, as well as as a means of support after illness.
Synthetic adaptogens
Synthetic substances are also used for adaptogenic effects on the body in order to provide a sedative effect in case of overexcitation or, conversely, to restore energy balance after stress. For example, melatonin or the "hormone" of sleep, is used to restore circadian rhythm, being an analogue of the natural hormone of the pineal gland.
Use of adaptogens
For children
In Peruvian folk medicine, maca is used to enhance cognitive abilities in children. The rest of the adaptogens can be used for non-specific intake for children and adolescents.
For men
In terms of specific effects on the male body, the best adaptogens for men are maca, cordyceps, ginseng, and ashwagandha. For example, cordyceps stimulates the production of estrogen in the body, helps increase libido in men, and restores reproductive function.
For women
Rhodiola, ashwagandha, maca, ginseng, and other adaptogens for women can help restore normal sexual function and hormonal balance. For example, Peruvian maca helps women recover after menopause. It is also considered a support during pregnancy due to the potential to increase embryo survival.
Harm and benefits of adaptogens
The main classic property of adaptogens is safety for the body when used in normal doses, so in the absence of specific contraindications and allergic reactions, this class of substances is safe to use as a preventive dietary supplement to normalize the body's condition in stressful and other imbalanced cases.
Contraindications of adaptogens
The potential negative effects depend on the specific adaptogen and may be related to its additional properties. For example, ashwagandha, in addition to its anti-stress properties, demonstrates a pronounced effect on the thyroid gland. This should be taken into account when choosing it as an adaptogen.
How to take adaptogens correctly
The method of taking adaptogens depends on their nature and the nature of their effect on the body. It is recommended to select and take synthetic adaptogens according to the instructions. Natural remedies for fatigue and for intensification of brain function are best used in the first half of the day, and drugs with a calming vector (against stress, insomnia) - in the second half. As a result of such intake, the supporting effect of adaptogens on the body is ensured and its normal energy balance is restored. Recommendations for intake are given on the page of a specific supplement in our online store, where you can buy adaptogens and superfoods of natural origin.
