Ashwagandha

[ML44]

Hi everyone,

Just wondering if anyone does or has supplemented with Ashwagandha and if it’s changed anything for anyone?

Thanks x

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

ML44

I haven't used it but just be aware that Ashwagandha is an adaptogen and is known to lower cortisol.

[ML44 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks for your reply, I did read that it lowered cortisol, although I had seen that as a good thing. Can it I’ve of detriment to the thyroid or overall health?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to ML44]

ML44

I did read that it lowered cortisol, although I had seen that as a good thing.

Only a good thing if you have high cortisol. Have you done a 24 hour saliva cortisol plus DHEA test and know that it needs lowering in your case?

[ML44 in reply to SeasideSusie]

I haven’t, I often feel stressed and anxious so thought it may help, although the feelings have only become exasperated after taking Ashwagandha for a month. I don’t know if it’s tied in with my b12 but anxiety has been awful this last week!

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to ML44]

ML44

Without seeing test results for all these things (thyroid included), it's hard to know. Anxiety can be a symptom of hypothyroidism, but of course has many other causes.

[Wired123 in reply to ML44]

From what I understand it can lower it if it’s too high or improve it if it’s too low. It’s designed to help your adrenals as opposed to push hormones up or down.

My nutritionist recommends it for people with low cortisol.

[ML44 in reply to Wired123]

That’s really interesting, I’ll try and read more about adrenals in relation to ashwagandha

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Wired123]

My nutritionist recommends it for people with low cortisol.

She needs to be careful. It is described as an adaptogen but studies show it lowers cortisol so you wouldn't give it to people who already have low cortisol.

From ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

The serum cortisol levels were substantially reduced (P=0.0006) in the Ashwagandha group, relative to the placebo group.

From healthline.com/nutrition/12...

In one study in chronically stressed adults, those who supplemented with ashwagandha had significantly greater reductions in cortisol, compared with the control group. Those taking the highest dose experienced a 30% reduction, on average (3).

From researchgate.net/publicatio...

Serum cortisol levels reduced with both Ashwagandha 250 mg/day (P < 0.05) and Ashwagandha 600 mg/day (P <

0.0001).

[Wired123 in reply to SeasideSusie]

A google search will find lots of articles supporting Ashwagandha to modulate high and low cortisol levels. Best to do your own research but professionals continue to recommend it for both people with high and low cortisol.

[Lalatoot in reply to Wired123]

That's fine but folks must test cortisol levels first. Taking a substance you don't need can really throw your whole system out of balance and it can be very difficult to undo what has been done.

[greygoose in reply to Wired123]

Ashwagandha isn't 'designed'. It's a plant. It just happens to have adaptogenic properties. Or it's supposed to. But, it can do the exact opposite of what is required, so one should be careful.