Ashwagandha Benefits & Effects: What Does Ashwagandha Do
Ashwagandha benefits and effects on the body are just starting to be properly understood. In traditional Ayurvedic medicine, Ashwagandha root extract has been known to have the potential to recover memory declines caused by age.
The use of Ashwagandha root extract as a supplement can potentially even enhance memory retention (1).
Aging is clearly unavoidable. However, one can strive to draw out and lessen its effects (2).
Ashwagandha Benefits: What The Science Says
A study published in February 2020 concluded that after taking 600mg per day of Ashwagandha root extract over 12 weeks, elderly people between 65 and 80 years old experienced a higher quality of life.
They seemed more mentally alert and also had better sleep quality. This was not just a slight improvement either, the increase was found to be highly significant (2).
Sleep quality is a marker for both physical and mental health in the elderly, while many elderly people suffer from insomnia or sleeping problems.
Having trouble sleeping can put all people at risk of certain diseases. For the elderly it can cause particular trouble.
An accumulated lack of sleep can increase their risk of respiratory diseases, memory loss, dementia, anxiety, depression, cardiovascular diseases and a loss of cognitive awareness. These can put someone at higher risk of even more serious health issues or death.
Sleep helps the immune system and is vital for health and wellbeing (3)(4).
Other studies have also revealed the positive downstream effects of Ashwagandha root extract’s numerous active biological compounds on the body’s ‘sleep clock’ rhythms. Sleep clock rhythms are also particularly effected by age (5)(6).
Ashwagandha Benefits: Antioxidant & Telomerase Activation
Ashwagandha extract is quite remarkable in its ability to protect cells from damage. These include cell antioxidant system activation, that protects bodily cells from pre-mature cell death and DNA damage. Genetics related to memory and nerve growth have also been shown to be enhanced or upregulated (7).
Ashwagandha also expressed an anti-aging effect through increased telomerase activity in a lab setting. This can extend the lifespan of certain cells.
Ashwagandha also reduces the levels of the hormone cortisol, while boosting testosterone levels in rats (2).
Cortisol is an essential hormone for stress responses. Ashwagandha therefore seems to have an overall calming effect on the body.
Testosterone is crucial for the maintenance and development of muscle mass. Ashwagandha could possibly improve male fertility and vigour.
This study was limited by its small sample size and duration. However it does provide a key insight that Ashwagandha root could help improve certain age related health issues. This is why Ashwagandha is becoming increasingly popular (2).
Ashwagandha: Overall Effects
Ashwagandha seems to have a positive effect on health but needs to be studied a lot more. These health effects include hormone balancing, telomerase cell protection, antioxidant system stimulation, improved brain and memory formation.
Any clear side effects of Ashwagandha are unknown. Ashwagandha is safe to take as directed by the manufacturer. As always consult your healthcare provider if uncertain. Considering the effects on steroid hormones we would strongly suggest consulting with your healthcare provider if you are on any medication that influences hormone production.
