Adapt with Adaptogens

Adapt with Adaptogens

There are very few people in the world that can say they’ve never experienced stress, whether it be work deadlines, family troubles or there just simply not being enough hours in a day – many of us experience stress in our daily lives.

Not just emotional stress, household chemicals, air pollution and pesticides in our foods also expose our bodies to physical and toxic stress, too.

There are many ways in which we can improve these negatives states, including meditation and regular exercise; however a more recent discovery in the Western world is a small but powerful family of roots, herbs and mushrooms called adaptogens.

So what are adaptogens?

As their name suggests, adaptogens have a special ability to help the body change or ‘adapt’ to resist a various stressors, whether these be physical, chemical or biological.

These herbs have been used for centuries in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, although the term ‘adaptogen’ was only coined in the 1950s.

As biological response modifiers, adaptogens help the body adapt to different stressors by regulating the release of stress hormones from the adrenal glands. When the body experiences stress, it goes through a three-stage response called general adaptation syndrome (GAS), these three responses are alarm, resistance and exhaustion.  

Adaptogens allow the body to stay in the resistance stage longer, avoiding a crash in the midst of a stressful situation. Research suggests adaptogens are great all-rounders, as they help the body react to or recover from physical and mental stress, as well as boosting immunity and general wellbeing.

Different adaptogens

There are a wide variety of adaptogens available on the market today. Below are some of the best available and their uses, all of which are included in our Max Adaptogen 10 Complex.

• Ashwagandha – promotes relaxation as well as mental, emotional and physical wellbeing.
• Astragalus - traditionally used to support the immune system, as well as acting as an anit-inflammatory.
• Bacopa – contains a class of powerful compounds called bacosides which are believed to be responsible for improving brain function.
• Cordyceps – popular amongst athletes, this mushroom is best known for its natural energy boosting properties.
• Gotu Kola – known as the ‘herb of longevity’, Gotu Kola claims to boost overall vitality, energy and mental clarity.
• Holy Basil – used in Ayurvedic medicine to help combat stress and anxiety.
• Panax Ginseng - thought to improve memory as well as boost the immune system and increase energy
• Rhodiola Rosea – promotes good health, strength, endurance and physical and mental performance.
• Schisandra – best known for its ability to combat fatigue and increase endurance.
• Siberian Ginseng - used in traditional medicines to improve athletic performance, treat sleep problems and boost the immune system.

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