If you’re looking for the best ashwagandha supplements to buy this year, then you’ve come to the right place.
You can also get more info by jumping to our Ashwagandha Supplements Guide.
Top 10 Ashwagandha Supplements
| #1 |  |
Organic India Ashwagandha | More Info |
| #2 |  |
Nature’s Way Ashwagandha | More Info |
| #3 |  |
Pure Encapsulations Ashwagandha | More Info |
| #4 |  |
NOW Foods Ashwagandha | More Info |
| #5 |  |
Solaray Ashwagandha | More Info |
| #6 |  |
Nutrigold Ashwagandha Gold | More Info |
| #7 |  |
Gaia Herbs Ashwagandha | More Info |
| #8 |  |
Ayush Herbs Ashwagandha | More Info |
| #9 |  |
Himalaya Herbal Ashwagandha | More Info |
| #10 |  |
Planetary Ayurvedics Full Spectrum Ashwagandha | More Info |
Ashwagandha Supplements Guide
If you have shopped for or even purchased natural supplements in the past, chances are that you have seen the name Ashwagandha printed out as an ingredient on a package’s Supplement Facts list. But what exactly is an Ashwagandha supplement?
What kind of benefits do this plant-based natural supplement have, and who reaps these benefits? We will take a look at those questions in addition to addressing the side effects of Ashwagandha supplements, how to take them, and what to look for if you are considering buying these supplements.
What Are Ashwagandha Supplements?
Ashwagandha supplements are becoming increasingly popular in the United States supplements market, and for some pretty good reasons. Ashwagandha is actually a plant from which the berries and roots can be removed and used for multiple medicinal purposes, although there need to be more clinical research trials conducted to fully flesh out the extent of just how well Ashwagandha supplements can help treat various illnesses.
To date, Ashwagandha supplements have been used to treat a long list of symptoms and ailments, including the following:
- Arthritis
- Anxiety and/or stress
- Insomnia or sleep disturbances
- Tumors
- Asthma
- Tuberculosis (TB)
- Leukoderma (a skin condition in which parts of the skin become patchy white spots)
- Bronchitis
- Spinal and cervical pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Persistent hiccups
- Chronic liver disease
- Menstrual issues
- Increasing libido
- Increasing fertility
- Treating hemiplegia (paralysis on one side of the body)
- Healing wounds when topically applied
- Decreasing inflammation and/or pain
Ashwagandha is considered an adaptogen, making it efficient at alleviating the stress of daily living and helping those with chronic stress issues. There are some who suggest that Ashwagandha supplements improve their cognitive abilities, causing them to think more clearly.
The word Ashwagandha (which has the botanical name Withania somnifera) has an interesting etymology. It is a Sanskrit word that means “horse” (“ashva”) and “smell” (“gandha”). This might bring out a chuckle in some readers while repulsing others, but do not worry – Ashwagandha supplements generally do not have a horse-like smell. Ashwagandha is so named because its root has a horse-like smell.
Ashwagandha is an “Indian ginseng” in Unani, Ayurvedic, and Indian medicine and is also a component in many traditional African medicines for healing. It has been in use for at least 3,000 years, but it is only recently that the U.S. herbal remedies and supplements market has really picked it up as a beneficial supplement.
Benefits of Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha supplements are thought to have an abundance of different physical and mental health benefits. First and foremost, this ancient medicinal herb is known to reduce blood sugar levels. Since blood sugar levels have been positively linked to schizophrenia, Ashwagandha has been used in a study that studied its impact on patients diagnosed with the disorder.
Researchers found that, over the course of four weeks, subjects had an average fasting blood sugar level reduction of 13.5 mg/dL. Those who received a placebo had a 4.5 mg/dL reduction.
In addition to treating blood sugar level problems, Ashwagandha supplements have also been used to induce apoptosis of cancer cells and stop the growth and metastasizing of new cancer cells. Ashwagandha appears to generate the reactive oxygen species that kill off only cancer cells. Although these tests have yet to be conducted on human subjects, Ashwagandha seems to hold a lot of promise for those dealing with cancer.
Ashwagandha also works t reduce cortisol levels (which can be elevated due to chronic stress), reduce anxiety and stress, and reduce depression symptoms. Additionally, men struggling with fertility have seen boosts in testosterone and experience increases in their sperm counts. Ashwagandha also seems to reduce inflammation, build muscle mass, lower triglycerides and cholesterol, and improve memory recall and promote clear thinking.
For the most part, Ashwagandha supplements seem to be safe for most people to take, and it is available in abundance online and in grocery stores and pharmacies nationwide.
Are There any Side Effects?
Ashwagandha has some known side effects and might not be a good supplement for people with certain disorders to take. Of course, you should always consult with your doctor before starting any new supplement, and if you experience negative side effects, you should consider removing the supplement from your daily regimen.
Women who are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or who are breastfeeding should avoid taking Ashwagandha since its effects on babies and children are unknown. Also, those with autoimmune disorders (such as Lupus and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis) should consult their doctors first before taking this supplement since it aggravates already-present symptoms. Those on thyroid medications should proceed with caution since Ashwagandha might cause thyroid hormone levels to spike above the optimal range.
Those with diabetes should stay away from using this supplement since it might lower blood sugar levels too much. Also, those with high or low blood pressure should avoid it since Ashwagandha supplements are known to decrease blood pressure in those with low blood pressure and negatively mix with medications those with high blood pressure take.
Ashwagandha should not be used two weeks prior to surgery and should be avoided for a few weeks after surgery since it is known to interfere with medications and slow down the Central Nervous System.
Ashwagandha negatively interacts with corticosteroids and other medications that decrease the immune system and sedatives.
How to Take Ashwagandha Supplements
It is generally a good idea to consult with your doctor before taking Ashwagandha supplements. They might be able to recommend a particular brand that is well-regarded and contains pure ingredients.
Ashwagandha supplements are best when taken in root extract or powder capsules. An average dosage amount is about 450–500 mg capsules taken once or twice per day. Dosage might vary between different supplement brands and with the consumer’s age and health status. Ashwagandha should usually be taken with a glass of water or juice and with a meal.
What to Look for in a Good Ashwagandha Supplement
If you are looking for a good Ashwagandha supplement, you will want to consider a few key factors before making your final selection. Of course, always listen to your doctor’s recommendations, if they make any. If not, it does not hurt to shop around and do some research on which brands have the most high-quality, pure, and well-tested products.
Be sure to look for Ashwagandha supplements that have a general recommended dosage of around 500 mg (give or take a little depending on your body’s needs). It is often a good idea to look for brands that are hypoallergenic (meaning that they do not contain ingredients like gluten, dairy, nuts, or soy), non-GMO, and vegan and vegetarian-friendly.
If you are vegan or vegetarian, avoid gel capsules that contain gelatin and instead opt for capsules made from hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), as it is a synthetic vegan product. Also, try to avoid additives, fillers, and dyes, since they are known to cause and/or complicate some health problems.
Ashwagandha has been used for 3,000 years and will likely be used for many more years to come. It is showing a lot of potential for treating a diverse array of mental and physical health issues, although the verdict is still out on exactly how it interacts with the body to help cope with certain symptoms.
While it is not an ideal supplement for everyone to take, there are a lot of benefits to taking Ashwagandha supplements. If you are interested in taking Ashwagandha supplements, be sure to speak with your doctor to find out how you might reap its benefits.
The post 10 Best Ashwagandha Supplements – Reviewed & Ranked for 2017 appeared first on Supplement Hound - Supplement Reviews for 2016.
from Supplement Hound – Supplement Reviews for 2016 http://supplementhound.com/best-ashwagandha-supplements/
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