What are Adaptogens and Why Do They Matter?
As we live in a social media world where we don't and aren't truly able to "disconnect," studies have found a strong link between heavy social media and an increased risk of depression, anxiety, loneliness, self-harm and suicidal thoughts. Yet this is not all we deal with daily, beyond these factors, most of us are dealing with the demands of school, work, family, or a combination of everything.
To combat the stresses of these factors, and cope with the anxiety and fatigue that can sometimes come with this lifestyle, many people use adaptogens to effectively manage their health and well-being. So let's take a look at why this revolutionary product should be a part of your nutrition plan in today's busy world.
What are adaptogens?
In a nutshell, an Adaptogen is defined as; a non-toxic plant extract that is designed to increase the body's ability to resist the damaging effects of stress on the body and help promote and restore normal physiological functioning to help promote homeostasis. These herbs and roots have been used for centuries to help the body deal with and cope better with stress and all the negative impacts stress has on the body. Unlike many pharmaceutical drugs, adaptogens are natural plant based herbs. 3 of these herbs can be found in our Ultima Adaptogens.
- Rhodiola Rosea
- Eleutherococcus Senticosus
- Schizandra Chinesis
- Shitake Mushroom
What do they do?
These natural remedies work to keep your adrenal system, which manages your stress hormones, in balance. When your body is dealing with chronic stress, you may develop adrenal fatigue. Stress is intended to be a temporary state for your body, but in modern times, many of us have chronic stress as part of our lifestyles. Over time, your adrenal system becomes overworked and you develop adrenal fatigue. Symptoms of adrenal fatigue include extreme fatigue, craving for salty foods, weakened immune system, and irritability.
Adaptogens work with your body's adrenal system to counteract the negative effects of stress. One of the adaptogens that we use in our product is Rhodiola Rosea. This herb helps maintain natural cortisol levels, lowers physical fatigue, and increases the use of oxygen. Another adaptogen that we use is Schizandra Chinensis which studies have shown to provide "increased endurance and mental performance [in subjects] with mild fatigue and weakness"1 in addition to having strong antioxidant properties.
Beyond these specific benefits, adaptogens boost your immune system, help balance your mood, and support your metabolism. Integrating them into your nutrition plan can have lasting positive benefits on your overall health.
How do I use adaptogens?
When consuming adaptogens as part of your regular diet will mitigate the effects of chronic stress on your body, which will ultimately keep you in healthier shape, able to perform at your highest level. Adaptogens should always be used as a supplement to a well-balanced nutrition plan and never as a substitute for a healthy lifestyle. Use adaptogens to supplement a diet that has whole food as its main components, including the right proteins, carbohydrates, and vitamins.
At Ultima, we ensure that our Adaptogens are safe and are free from stimulants. When using our Adaptogens, our website includes a dosage guide, and as always, you should consult with your regular physician if you have any health condition.
Sources:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19500070
2. http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/features/adrenal-fatigue-is-it-real
3. http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/what-are-adaptogens/
4. http://www.drfranklipman.com/adaptogens-natures-miracle-anti-stress-and-fatigue-fighters/