FITNESS SUPPLEMENTARY
What is Ashwagandha?
Ashwagandha is an evergreen shrub in the Solanaceae or nightshade family that grows in India, the Middle East, and parts of Africa. Ashwagandha is tended to be classified as an adaptogen, this means that Ashwagandha allows the body to deal with the chemical and physical effects of stress. One of its most celebrated benefits is an apparent reduction in feelings of anxiety and a significant boost in mood. In fact Ashwagandha possesses the direct ability to reduce the stress hormone cortisol.
Effects on Testosterone?
In a study conducted which involved men aged 40 to 70, participants given a supplement of ashwagandha extract showed an increase in testosterone by about 15 percent on average and an 18 percent increase in DHEA which is a hormone that helps produce other hormones like testosterone. Ashwagandha lowers the amount of cortisol levels in the blood and many studies suggest that decreasing levels of cortisol in the blood can increase levels of testosterone
Other benefits of Ashwagandha:
Research has shown that ashwagandha may have beneficial effects on athletic performance and is a great supplement for all athletes. Ashwagandha also reduces symptoms of depression in many people. In fact a study was conducted on 66 people with schizophrenia who were experiencing depression and anxiety. Results showed that subjects who took 1,000mg of ashwagandha extract every day for 12 weeks had much greater reductions in depression and anxiety than those who took a placebo.
