“In the recesses of the mind a melee between Rhodiola rosea and stress ensues. It’s a battle with high stakes: your physical and mental health.”
From “Rhodiola Rosea for Chronic Stress Disorder” National Bioscience Corporation 2002
If someone told you they knew of an herb that was a powerful antioxidant, supported the immune system, and regulated the neurotransmitters that help you deal with stress and its physical and psychological effects1,2,3,4, thereby improving the quality of your life, would you be interested? If you answered ‘YES’, then read on. That herb is available today, and it’s called Rhodiola.
Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea), also known as “golden root”, is one of over 200 different species of Rhodiola, 20 of which are currently used in traditional medical systems in Asia. In fact, Rhodiola has been used in the traditional medical systems of Eastern Europe and Asia for hundreds of years as a means to stimulate the nervous system, decrease depression and fatigue, and even to help prevent high altitude sickness.
For the past quarter century, Russian and Scandinavian scientists have studied Rhodiola and its constituents. However, much of this research was unavailable to Western scientists until recently, one of the reasons we haven’t heard about Rhodiola until the past few years. Their research indicates that Rhodiola has diverse benefits on physiological functions, including central nervous system and cardiovascular function. Most of this research was done on Russian athletes. In fact, it’s now known that Russian athletes used Rhodiola for many decades before Western medicine became aware of it, and it’s believed to be part of the reason Russian athletes were such formidable foes in athletic events of the past half century. Their ability to quickly adapt to the unique stress of athletic competition took on legendary proportions. And this was partially due to supplementation with Rhodiola.
The results of this research led them to classify Rhodiola as an “adaptogen”. The Russian scientist Lazarev (1947) established the criteria for an adaptogen3, and his definition is still valid today:
Basically, an adaptogen helps the body adjust to different stressors, and also helps the body to reassume homeostasis (the balance between various bodily functions and the chemical composition of fluids and tissues) once the stressor is no longer present2. Rhodiola certainly fits these criteria, having shown beneficial results against stressors such as fatigue and nervous tension, as well as anxiety due to different factors such as intense study and dieting2. If these factors are limiting your effectiveness, then Rhodiola may be the answer you’re looking for.
So what does all this mean? It means that Rhodiola can offer generalized, non-specific resistance to physical, chemical and biological stressors you may experience every day, without affecting normal body functions, thereby enhancing the quality of life. Scientists believe that Rhodiola does this in part by promoting the release of certain neurotransmitters responsible for feelings of well-being, as well as regulating hormone production in response to stress1,2,3,4. It also appears to increase the permeability of the blood-brain barrier to neurotransmitter precursors, aiding and even increasing their beneficial effects.
“…the dual action of cognitive stimulation and emotional calming creates benefits for both immediate cognitive and memory performance and for the long-term preservation of brain functions.”
Rhodiola also imparts antioxidant protection by helping to protect the nervous system from oxidative damage by free radicals.2
Chemical analysis of the genus Rhodiola has isolated a number of naturally occurring compounds found in the roots and above ground parts of the plant that provide Rhodiola’s adaptogenic properties. Rhodiola rosea differs from other species in the genus due to three unique phytochemicals that only occur in this particular species – rosavin, rosin, and rosarin (collectively referred to as rosavins). Researchers believe these phytochemicals are responsible for the unique characteristics found ONLY in the Rhodiola rosea species2,3. A good quality Rhodiola rosea supplement should be standardized to contain a minimum of 3% rosavins. Other species of Rhodiola don’t offer the same benefits, so make sure you’re getting the rosea species in the brand of Rhodiola you choose.
In today’s world, stress is one of the most pervasive yet overlooked causes of poor health. By increasing the body’s ability to deal with the adverse affects associated with different types of stress, health and the quality of life is improved. NOW® Rhodiola can help you do just this with a potent, 500mg standardized extract containing 3% rosavins, the unique compounds that give Rhodiola rosea its amazing protective and antioxidant properties. Protect your body and mind with Rhodiola from NOW® Foods!
References:
1) Ramazanov, Zakir & Appell, Brian; “Rhodiola Rosea For Chronic Stress Disorder”; National Bioscience Corporation, 2002
2) Brown, Richard P.; Gerbarg, Patricia L.; Ramazanov, Zakir; “Rhodiola rosea: A Phytomedicinal Overview”; HerbalGram: The Journal of the American Botanical Council, 56: 40-52 3) Kelley, Gregory S.; “Rhodiola rosea: A Possible Plant Adaptogen (evaluation of therapeutic properties); Alternative Medicine Review, June 2001; 6(3): 293-302 4) “Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea (Golden Root, Arctic Root))”; intramedicine website, Professional Monographs, January, 2001
Product Catalog : Store Finder : Quality : Health Library : About NOW : News & Events : Contact us©Copyright 2002-2009 NOW® Foods