The ancient and traditional herb Withania somnifera is commonly known as ashwagandha.The herb is considered a magical herb in Indian Ayurvedic medicine. The potential benefits imparted by the herbal supplement have earned it respect.
According to physics, energy is the ability of the body to do work. Several features govern this potential. The human body acquires energy by breaking down the food items that you eat. However, an improper and imbalanced diet can lead to a reduction in overall energy.
A lack of energy is the feature of the old. Young people are full of zeal and enthusiasm. Their energy reserves seem to be never-ending. The powerhouses of energy become weak as you enter later stages of life.
But don't worry! Now you can rejuvenate your bodies with bouts of energy, thanks to the magical energy-imparting herb Ashwagandha.
Signs You Need An Energy Boost
The most evident symptom of running low on energy is fatigue. Your body remains lethargic, and you are faced with the following symptoms daily:
- Tiredness and lethargy during the day
- Brain fog that makes concentrating difficult
- A loss of motivation
Factors That Affect Energy Levels
Some factors negatively affect the energy status of your body:
- Anxiety and stress
- Depression
- Adrenal fatigue
- Sexual weakness
- Low testosterone levels in men
- Weak muscles
- Chronic inflammation and pain
- Decreased brain function
All the factors mentioned above are responsible for a decrease in your body's overall capability to do work. Ashwagandha can be extremely beneficial in boosting energy by countering energy reducers.
Energy-Boosting Effects Of Ashwagandha
From boosting our hormones to relieving stress and anxiety, ashwagandha can help in many different ways to boost your energy.
1. Reduces Anxiety And Stress
The most common use of Ashwagandha is for anxiety and stress. Anxiety is known for depleting the energy reserves of the body. It also drastically reduces your motivation. Stress reduces your ability to carry out physical activity, putting you into a state of lethargy.
2. Adaptogenic Properties
Ashwagandha is an adaptogen that enhances the body's capability to bear stress. A study suggests that the extract of Withania somnifera is an excellent adaptogen and works wonderfully to reduce stress and anxiety.
Another detailed analysis promoted the use of ashwagandha as an anxiolytic supplement. The natural herb has an ethanolic extract proven to help manage patients with an anxiety disorder. This claim is confirmed by a double-blind study carried out on anxiety disorder patients.
3. Blocks Stress Pathways
Researchers have found that ashwagandha works by blocking the stress pathways in the brain.
4. Insomnia And Stress
Similarly, stress management is another feather in the hat of ashwagandha. Insomnia and stress are linked together. Both the issues lead to a common effect that is lethargy. In a review, the herbal supplement reduced anxiety and improved sleep in 69% of the cases.
5. Cold Water Swimming Test
The cold water swimming test is an effective way of judging the ability to withstand stress. As per a review, ashwagandha improves swimming endurance in rats that underwent swimming endurance test.
6. Reduces Depression
Ashwagandha has been shown to reduce symptoms of depression. Depression patients often complain of having a lack of energy to get out of bed and do everyday chores. This lot of patients direly need something to bring them back to life.
Depression and energy-lacking share the same symptoms of loss of motivation and lethargy during the day. A psychometric evaluation found that depression patients are frequently faced with issues of fatigue and loss of energy. Reproductive depression also leads to loss of energy in post-menopausal women.
Ashwagandha can be a turnaround for such people because it has been shown to alleviate depression, as a study suggests.
Modern studies advocate using Withania somnifera extract (WSE) to manage symptoms of depression and schizophrenia.
The herb can even be pretty helpful in reducing symptoms of severe depression.
Another study justifies the use of Withania somnifera extract as an antidepressant and anti-parkinsonian.
7. Alleviates Symptoms Of Adrenal Fatigue
Adrenal glands are small glands that lie on your kidneys. These glands are responsible for the production of the stress hormone cortisol. When the body is under stress for a prolonged period, the adrenals are completely drained, leading to a low cortisol state associated with fatigue. Therefore, it is called adrenal fatigue.
This state of adrenal fatigue is characterized by:
- Low energy
- Brain fog
- Depression
- Mood disruptions
Ashwagandha is capable of flushing out stress from the body and thus alleviates symptoms of adrenal fatigue. In this way, the herb recharges your energy battery
8. Improves Testosterone Levels Of The Body
Testosterone is the male hormone that is responsible for performing different roles in the body. Low levels of testosterone are linked to several medical issues, including:
- Chronic stress
- Fatigue and energy loss
- Reduced sex drive
- Erectile dysfunction
- Loss of muscle mass/bone mass
The Indian ginseng (ashwagandha) works in different ways to improve the testosterone levels:
9. Directly Boosts Testosterone Levels
Studies suggest that ashwagandha directly boosts the levels of testosterone in the body and also improves sperm quality.
Older overweight men in the ages 40-70 are faced with issues of fatigue. It has been seen that ashwagandha supplementation helps reduce fatigue by improving testosterone levels. The herb improves the levels of reproductive hormones and sperm quality, a study suggests.
10. Reduces Levels Of Cortisol
The stress hormone cortisol and testosterone are produced from the same precursor. This means that higher levels of cortisol will render lesser available precursors for testosterone. Such a condition arises when the body is under stress.
This is why stress can lead to libido, reduced energy, and mood swings. Supplementation with ashwagandha significantly reduces cortisol levels.
11. Increases Sexual Drive And Energy
Indian ginseng is used for treating erectile dysfunction and lack of sexual drive. The herb is proven to be an aphrodisiac, a study suggests.
12. Increases Muscle Mass
The best way to boost your energy levels is to improve your muscle mass. The greater mass of muscles means improved energy and enhanced strength. Athletes and sportspeople work out daily to improve the body's energy levels and gain strength in the muscles.
Luckily, you can also gain mass in your muscles by using the impressive ayurvedic herb. A controlled trial revealed that supplementation with Withania somnifera significantly increases muscle strength and mass. This promotes its use in resistance training programs.
13. Improves Endurance In Athletes
A study on the effects of ashwagandha on athletes found that the herb significantly improves cardiorespiratory endurance in athletes.
14. Increases ATP Levels Of The Body
It is believed that ashwagandha increases Adenosine triphosphate levels (ATP), i.e., the body's energy currency. This leads to the availability of a greater amount of energy in the body. The same herb also reduces the activity of the enzyme responsible for the breakdown of ATP, which further increases ATP levels in the body.
15. Enhances Functioning Of Mitochondria In Muscles
Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell. An enhancement of the organelle (mitochondria) leads to a higher amount of available energy. Ashwagandha achieves this by increasing the levels of succinate dehydrogenase enzyme, which is responsible for energy generation.
16. Reduces Percentage Of Body Fats
Ashwagandha improves muscle mass and, at the same time, also reduces the body's fat deposits. As already mentioned, daytime sleepiness is an evident feature of energy deficiency. It was found in a study that obesity is linked to lower productivity and daytime sleepiness.
An analysis concluded that ashwagandha supplementation significantly increases muscle mass while reducing the fat percentage of the body.
17. Boosts Athletic Performance
Athletes require loads of energy to perform on the ground. Hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is the combined role of different parts of the brain, i.e., the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland that regulates hormone production.
The working of the HPA axis is shown to impact the performance of athletes, a study suggests.
Research suggests that alcoholism and stress can lead to an imbalance in the activity of the HPA axis. Ashwagandha kicks the pace of recovery and also ameliorates the HPA-axis imbalance. Thus, enabling the athletes to have higher levels of energy to perform better. Ashwagandha is frequently used as a herbal supplement for athletes and players.
18. Improves Brain Function
An evident and common symptom of all neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease is fatigue and lethargy.
A meta-analysis carried out in 2018 showed that Parkinson's disease causes fatigue and negatively impacts life quality. Ashwagandha has a positive impact on these ailments. It slows down the progression of the disease.
The latest research suggests that ashwagandha supplementation improves neurodegeneration symptoms in patients and imparts a neuroprotective effect.
A study suggests that herbal supplementation of Withania somnifera for 8 weeks improves attention and energy for task performance.
19. Rids The Body Of Chronic Inflammation And Pain
People suffering from chronic pain and inflammation are usually met with energy deficits. Persistent pain can make you feel lethargic and take power out of you along with the motivation. Chronic pain can lead to the development of chronic fatigue syndrome.
A comparative study between ashwagandha and corticosteroids found that Withania somnifera extract is excellent in reducing acute and chronic inflammation.
In another controlled study, ashwagandha extract was given daily at doses of 250mg. After the specified time, a reduction in the inflammatory markers was noted. CRP values of the ashwagandha group reduced by 36% as compared to the 6% decrease in the placebo group.
Where To Find The Best Ashwagandha Supplement?
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Other Ways Of Boosting Energy
There are several different ways by which you can boost the energy levels of the body and get rid of fatigue. Some of which are mentioned below:
- Exercise daily: Carrying out light exercises daily can boost your stamina, improve your blood circulation, and enhance perfusion. Increased levels of oxygen in the body mean improved energy status.
- Adopt Healthy Activities And Quit Bad Ones:Alcoholism and smoking are linked with energy deficiency in the body. So, the best way to reload the battery of energy you need to give up the negative habits of smoking and drinking. You shall feel improvements in mood and energy levels once you give these habits up.
- Get Rid Of Stress:Stress conversely affects the energy levels of the body. You should get rid of the stress. This can be achieved by adopting relaxation therapies such as meditation, yoga, tai chi, etc.
- Choose A Healthy Diet:Eating more dairy products, seeds, nuts, green vegetables (broccoli, spinach), fruits (goji berries, strawberries, oranges), beets, yams, and sweet potatoes, and omega-3 rich fish in your daily diet can also boost your energy.
Conclusion
A lack of energy manifests itself as fatigue. Chronic fatigue syndrome is an example of manifestation. To boost your energy levels, you need to add some herbal supplements to the diet. What better option to boost energy than Ashwagandha?
The Indian Ginseng works in different ways to increase energy levels. Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) efficiently improves your strength by increasing ATP levels in the body and increasing the muscle mass. You can also see a significant reduction in anxiety, stress, and depression. This reduction improves energy levels too.
Your sexual power also gets a kickstart thanks to the testosterone booster quality of ashwagandha. Therefore, ashwagandha supplementation is a must for an energy boost.