Monday, February 9, 2009

What Are Adaptogens?


The word adaptogen is a very apt word for this ingredient. In simple terms this ingredient helps the body adapt naturally to cope and with reducing stress. Since 1947 medical and scientific research has been conducted and published on adaptogens in various parts of the world, but has lately only become available to us in the West.

Not only do they help us to cope with stress and the hassles of every day living, but they are also powerful antioxidants. There is a vast amount of information available on this ingredient, but it is relatively new in the Western hemisphere, since the Russians, during the Cold War period, did major research on this ingredient.

It is non- toxic and is not habit forming, while it exerts a normalizing influence on the body, possessing a wide range of therapeutic benefits which cause no disturbance to the normal functioning of the body.

Adaptogens are natural nutrients and are made from three types of plants - Rhodiola rosea, Eleutherococcus and Schizandra chinensis.

Explaining the effects of the adaptogens is difficult, since they will influence each individual differently. If you are mentally exhausted or physically fatigued the adaptogens will help you feel more energetic, vitalized, and full of zest for life - but yet, they are not normal stimulants.

Should you however be stressed-out, or emotionally tired, and not coping with life the adaptogens will help you relax and make life easier to cope with, yet they are not tranquillizers and will not have a drug-like effect on the body.

The antioxidants contained in the adaptogens help the body fight free radicals which are released during the oxidation process of metabolism in the body, which can cause a variety of problems such as cell degeneration, cancer, ageing and many other diseases.

To ensure that the vital nutrients, and their potency, are retained while being extracted from the plant material a unique extraction method is used.

Adaptogens are completely safe and effective and have been tested by various institutes, academies and sports agencies - and contain no drugs, preservatives nor banned substances.

Deficiency of adaptogens

Should you feel you are not coping, continuously fatigued or you need to increase stamina, endurance, concentration and mental clarity, you might look at adding this nutrient to your diet in order to improve these conditions.

An increase of over 20% in the capacity to work has been reported as well as a reduction of errors made, by over 80% - which makes this a great nutrient to take when studying, or working at optimum levels.

It is further reported that endurance is increased by up to 26% and an increase in strength is improved by nearly 10%.

There are no toxic effects of this ingredient and high intake is well tolerated. ADAPTOGENS ARE NOT BANNED BY ANY INTERNATIONAL SPORTS.

Best used with:

Adaptogens are best taken first thing in the morning for best absorption.

When more may be required:

During periods of extreme mental and physical exertion, great benefit can be derived from this nutrient.

Adaptogens are found in Rhodiola rosea which is a main ingredient in Recovox.

For more information go to www.recovox.net, or click on the title link.

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