Adaptogenic plants in food supplements

"It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent. It is the one that adapts best to change." -Charles Darwin.

Darwin rightly remarked that living things must adapt to survive for a long time. Man is an intelligent being, so he can find various ways to adapt and enhance his body's ability to adapt to various stressors.

Man has long known that certain plants, such as rhodiola, ginseng and many others, are exceptionally effective in strengthening the body's ability to adapt. In the middle of the ^20th century, researchers began to develop the concept of adaptogens and to study various plants in clinical studies. ¹

Adaptogens are herbs that increase the body's adaptability, resilience, tolerance and adaptation to stress. Adaptogens are basically natural plant extracts. However, adaptogens can also be produced synthetically. Synthetic adaptogens are called actoprotectors ² . For example, vitamins can now be produced synthetically, and many vitamins enhance the body's ability to deal with stress and adapt.

Why use plant adaptogens?

There are many reasons to prefer plant adaptogens. They are safe and help the body to fight stress without increasing energy needs. It is also essential to understand that adaptogens normalize various body functions. This means that they can precisely adjust the body's different responses. They can therefore increase or decrease various metabolic processes. ¹ This is why adaptogens can help reduce blood pressure, and even raise it if necessary. In addition, these substances can strengthen immunity and help suppress hypersensitivity or fight allergies.

The reason for using plant adaptogens is simple: science cannot create substances as powerful as natural adaptogens. Natural adaptogens are very complex. They contain dozens, if not hundreds of compounds that work synergistically with each other. Thus, they contain antioxidants, terpenes, stilbenes, lignans, etc. ³

Natural extracts such as rhodiola or ginseng are a cocktail of many organic compounds. Science does not yet know how this cocktail of natural compounds works. The organic compounds isolated from these plants or herbs are not very beneficial to health. To act as an adaptogen, various organic compounds must act synergistically and be present in specific proportions. The ratios in which the various compounds must be present to act as an adaptogen are nature's best kept secret.

Adaptogens act at different levels. For example, they can modulate immunity, alter endocrine function, and influence the functioning of neurotransmitters. They can also modulate signaling pathways between cells in a way that no known synthetic compound can. ¹

Adaptogens are suitable for regular use. They help maintain homeostasis. In other words, they help keep the body in a stable state even during times of extreme stress and illness. They can therefore be used to prevent diseases. But they are also useful for managing health disorders, since these are essentially due to specific imbalances in the body.

Modern lifestyle and the importance of adaptogens

There is a solid scientific reason why everyone should consider taking dietary supplements containing adaptogens. Indeed, the way of life of man has changed considerably over the last century. This means that people today are more likely to die from lifestyle disorders than from infections.

In addition, lifestyle disorders are the cause of significant disability. In addition, these disorders lead to a significant decline in quality of life. For example, joint disease may not kill an individual. However, they cause great distress, years of disability and a significant decline in quality of life.

Nowadays, people are more likely to die from heart disease, stroke, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, liver and kidney disease, cancer, etc. . ⁴ According to the WHO, 74% of deaths are due to non-communicable/non-infectious diseases. ⁵ Many of these can be prevented with lifestyle interventions and dietary supplements.

Adaptogens aren't just for preventing premature death or prolonging life. They also help you stay active longer and improve your quality of life. Today, most adults live with one or another chronic health condition. For example, one in four adults (about 25%) suffer from joint pain ⁶ , about 30% suffer from depression, anxiety and stress ⁷ , and 11-40% of adults live with chronic pain at some time. given ⁸ .

All of these chronic health conditions have one thing in common. These health problems arise or are aggravated by the body's reduced ability to deal with stress and adapt. They are caused by severe oxidative stress, high levels of stress hormones, chronic inflammation, and changes in metabolic activity.

Adaptogens can help fine-tune various body functions and thus prevent these disorders. They can not only help prevent these health problems, but also manage them. Adaptogens may also exert anti-aging effects, prevent mitochondrial dysfunction, reduce fatigue, and help you feel energized.

Taking adaptogens in the form of gummies has distinct advantages

Dietary supplements come in many forms. However, among the different forms, gummies are perhaps the best way to take natural supplements.

One of the most common complaints about dietary supplements is that many people don't get the benefits they expect. There are many reasons for this, such as lack of compliance and low bioavailability. Chewing gums therefore attempt to overcome these shortcomings.

Here are some of the distinct benefits of using gummies :

• Convenience and compliance : These concepts are interrelated. If a supplement is inconvenient to take, it is unlikely to be taken regularly. Dietary supplements must be taken regularly to benefit from their beneficial effects on health. Erasers are easy to carry; they can be taken without water; moreover, they have an amazing flavor. They are therefore suitable for both children and busy adults. They are even suitable for adults who have trouble swallowing pills. Better compliance always translates into better health outcomes. ⁹
• Higher Bioavailability : This is perhaps an even more important reason to use gummies. Natural extracts present a significant problem: their bioavailability is low when ingested. However, this low bioavailability is not only due to poor absorption of natural ingredients, but also to so-called first-pass metabolism. This means that many natural compounds never reach the bloodstream because the liver neutralizes them after absorption. ⁹

Gums can overcome all these obstacles because they are chewed and broken in the mouth. Their active ingredients are quickly absorbed by the tongue and reach the bloodstream bypassing the liver. What remains is ingested and absorbed by the intestine like other dietary supplements.

Gummies are the perfect way to take adaptogens, since adaptogens need to be used for a long time. Of course, not all erasers are created equal, so choosing high-quality brands is key.

References

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