The term adaptogen was first used in Russia in the late
1940s to describe a number of herbal compounds which
research suggests can act as powerful tonics and stimulants
for the body’s systems; may help normalise the
body’s functions in response to stress; and provide a
powerful boost to the immune system. Adaptogens such as
siberian ginseng have also been shown to help regulate the
levels of blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and
important hormones.
Adaptogen compounds may be particularly important in
assisting the adrenal glands to maintain levels of the
hormones it produces, which are the body’s principal
means of managing the various stresses to which it is
subjected on a daily basis. These stresses include heat,
cold, excessive noise and vibration, physical exhaustion,
viruses, bacteria and pollution, as well as more
self-inflicted varieties such as poor diet, lack of sleep,
overwork and the excessive consumption of alcohol, tobacco
and perhaps even more potent drugs, which for this purpose
may include perfectly legitimate over the counter or
prescription medications.
Obviously you can’t hope to avoid all of these
stresses all the time; at least not unless you find a way
to avoid twenty-first century life itself. And as
attractive as that may sound, it’s probably not a
realistic option for most of us. So the urgent question
is: just how are you going to cope with these stresses?
Now to be sure, a good diet, eight hours restful sleep a
night, plenty of fresh air and exercise will help
considerably. But how many of us can honestly claim this
as an accurate description of our lifestyle?
This is where adaptogens can be so useful. There’s
evidence that they may increase the production of energy
within the body’s cells, thereby optimising the
body’s response to stress; maximising the benefits
obtained from the nutrients taken in, and helping maintain
peak physical and mental performance. Numerous herbal
compounds have now been recognised as possessing
significant adaptogenic qualities, but amongst the better
known are black cohosh, donq quai, ginseng, which may be
Korean, American or Siberian (eleuthero), and yerba mate.
Currently, ginseng is perhaps the best known of all of
these, and siberian ginseng, or eleuthero, in particular,
which has long been extensively used in Russia, is rapidly
becoming popular in the West. There are good reasons for
this.
Ginseng has been researched in depth by Soviet and Russian
scientists since the early 1960s, and was approved for
human use as far back as 1962. But the amazing powers of
this extraordinary herb have been well known in China for
thousands of years, where it is still often taken as a
remedy for bronchitis, circulatory problems, rheumatism and
male infertility. Modern Russian studies have confirmed
siberian ginseng (eleuthero)’s potential for helping
to tackle cardiac and circulatory disorders, high blood
pressure, diabetes and even some cancers. Of course, it is
not suggested that ginseng can cure these diseases, but
that it may assist by stimulating the body’s natural
healing processes to restore it to normal function.
But like other adaptogens, ginseng is not just for those
suffering from disease or sub-optimal health. In Russia it
has been used extensively by individuals whose everyday
occupations involve far greater than average levels of
mental and physical stress. Astronauts, divers, military
personnel, Olympic athletes and those facing extremes of
environment or climate are just a few examples of the types
of people who have derived significant benefits.
Now of course, no one is suggesting that siberian ginseng
or any other adaptogen can or should take the place of a
healthy diet, because obviously you can’t optimise
the functioning of the vitamins, minerals and enzymes
within the body unless they’re present in reasonable
quantities in the first place. But adaptogens may
nevertheless be of real value at times when the kinds of
stresses listed above have increased the body’s
demand for these nutrients; or perhaps depressed its
ability to absorb those with which it is supplied.
But adaptogens should not just be seen as a corrective for
use when the body is tending towards sub-optimal
performance or even illness. They can also be used at
times when peak mental or physical performance is required
and supplements of siberian ginseng and the other
adaptogens mentioned above are now readily available in
most good health food stores.
----------------------------------------------------
Steve Smith is a freelance copywriter specialising in
direct marketing, with a particular interest in health
products.
Find out more at
http://www.sisyphuspublicationsonline.com/LiquidNutrition/In
formation.htm
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