Ashwagandha is Ayurveda’s premier adaptogenic herb for stress and longevity. It has a special classification as a rasayana herb.
Rasayana herbs are believed to promote longevity, induce nourishment, and prevent the effects of aging.
New studies have found that ashwagandha can mimic the bio-chemical effect of calorie restriction—a dietary regimen at the forefront of emerging anti-aging science.
The science backing ashwagandha is impressive.
- It has shown to increase stamina during and boost recovery from vigorous exercise.
- It delivers what is called a cognition-promoting effect, supporting healthy brain function and memory for both younger children and elderly. (1)
- It has been identified as one of the few substances capable of boosting the natural production of brain-derived neurotropic factors (BDNFs) which support brain cell production and promote the healthy formation of dendrites (nerve cell projections). (1)
- It supports healthy levels of leptin—the appetite hormone—and normal weight loss. (1)
- It has been shown to support stable mood, improved energy, and the normal function of energy-producing mitochondria. (1)
- As an adaptogen, it balances stress-fighting hormones and protects the stomach from excess acid during times of high stress. It also protects the reproductive system and supports healthy joint function. (1)
Based on this quick snapshot on ashwagandha, it is not surprising that ashwagandha is getting attention from the scientific community.
Recently, an artificial intelligence (AI) process was developed that is capable of assessing tens of thousands of nervous system-signaling pathways that degenerate with age.
These cellular-signaling pathways are associated with protecting the cells from chemical and environmental stress, adverse gene expression, protein damage, inflammation, DNA damage and repair and the list goes on.
The AI scanned over 800 natural compounds to evaluate their ability to maintain these anti-aging signaling pathways as we age—and ashwagandha was at the top of the list. (7)
Withaferin A – Ashwagandha’s Power-Packed Constituent
Withaferin A, one of the major constituents in ashwagandha, was responsible for most of the anti-aging effects on the signaling pathways.
One of the major causes of aging is the breakdown of protein in the body. This is seen commonly with aging when the protein collagen breaks down and the skin becomes thin and wrinkled.
Ashwagandha has shown to activate a protein clean-up network that removes damaged proteins from the body through the process called autophagy. (2,3)
Autophagy, recently brought to light by Nobel Prize-winning science, is the body’s way of cleaning house. It happens during starvation, calorie restriction, and fasting. (6)
In mice, Withaferin A demonstrated a 39 percent reduction of age-related protein damage in the spinal cord, and a 60 percent reduction in age-related protein damage in motor neuron cells—the cells that transmit movement signals from the brain, through the spinal cord, and to the muscles.
In the same study, mice with age-related protein breakdown in their nervous systems were supplemented with Withaferin A and their lives were extended by 5.6 percent. (4)
Weight gain is also associated with the breakdown of proteins in the body.
In one study, overweight mice were fed a high-fat diet. The group that was supplemented with Withaferin A saw a significant reduction in weight.
Compared to the control group that was not given the Withaferin A, there was a 23 percent reduction in weight and fat-mass reduction, while the placebo group saw no weight loss. (5)
The mechanism for the weight loss was reported to be that the group given the Withaferin A ate 60 percent less food.
This was due to an increase in the appetite hormone, leptin, which made them feel full with eating much less food.
Weight gain has been linked to a decrease or insensitivity to the hormone, leptin.
Withaferin A (ashwagandha) has been shown to boost leptin levels and leptin sensitivity. (5) It does this by gobbling up damaged proteins through the process of autophagy, which helps maintain normal signaling pathways by increasing the production of the anti-weight gain hormone, leptin. (5)
>>> Learn more about ashwagandha in its whole herb form here
Was the information for your bolded 39/60 percent reduction (under “we recommend”) taken from reference #4? The study was conducted on two varieties of super-mutant transgenic albino mice. Ashwagandha’s definitely good for the nervous system, supported by a very long history of use, dependable results from in vivo case studies, tons of anecdotal evidence…. I question how well genetically-modified mutant mouse experimentation (using an isolated drug chemical originally detected in ashwagandha plants) will relate to application of whole-plant ashwagandha in the human body as part of typical ayurvedic formulas or pill-amount supplementation. I’m thinking today’s scientists definitely need artificial intelligence help… and TBH, I couldn’t find that article (for AI) in references. Maybe I just overlooked it. Anyway, people shouldn’t be using the drug version of “ashwagandha.” How much change occurs to that chemical when everything’s said and done, and its been fully isolated? There’s a lot more to the story with drug withaferin A and the experimental animals/models. People are best off trying whole ashwaganda and judging it for themselves. Those types of research are for drug synthesis. It’s a huge stretch to relate them back to natural medicine.
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Great observation. Thanks for providing an unbiased interpretation of the research that doesn’t come from a perspective of trying to get the most “Shares” on social media.
I was fascinated by the description of the article and especially the following:
“The AI scanned over 800 natural compounds to evaluate their ability to maintain these anti-aging signaling pathways as we age—and ashwagandha was at the top of the list.”
….but I could not find any reference to this in the references. I was trying to see what other substances were compared with. Could you point me in the right direction to get to see this?
Nepgen : I think it referrers to http://insilico.com
I would like to know if Ashwaghanda is ok if you have problems with oxalates? I want to use this for cancer, any advice on this. Thanks
Ashwagandha is a very gentle herb. Like nearly every plant, however, it does contain at least small amounts of oxalate. However, it also protects the kidneys, bladder, blood stream, liver, joints, etc. It will not remedy gouty conditions or kidney problems very well by itself, but those suffering from gout, kidney problems, acidic blood, joint problems, and general inflammation will find ashwagandha is helpful, or at least not harmful. Just make sure not to be too critical of the effects for the first couple days; this herb has a short adjustment period. 🙂 (Just my opinion of course.)
Would taking Ashwagandha make gaining weight problematic for me?
I really need to gain at least 20 lbs, as I’ve lost a lot due to illness.
From ancient sources: ashwagandha is highly recommended for emaciated people wishing to gain weight. If powdered, combine it with milk, cream, or ghee. Don’t worry so much about amount – but shoot for over 1 gram (aprox. 2 capsules worth), even up to 5 or 6 grams, for best effects.
If pill form, check to make sure it’s not a funky extract – these don’t work well from my experience, and won’t have all the same beneficial effects as true ashwagandha root.
Ashwagandha can be chewed, taken as capsule, or made as described above – as long as it’s the real root, it will help you to gain healthy weight. (Note for others: as per experience, it WILL NOT cause weight gain in those who are overweight.)
Ayurveda is famous for holistic health.
I love your work John but reducing plant medicine to active ingredients brings it to the realm of pharmaceuticals and I think that is a slippery slope towards losing the essence of what makes Ayurveda.
Of all your articles, this one is the first I have found to be so disappointing.
I think the article was pointing out the part of the herb that stood out in studies. He never recommended taking a Witherin A supplement (doubt even available) he recommends taking the whole herb
Ah the new most popular God arrived. Anyone who does his own will, believes he is smarter than God and consequently anything he creates, he would consider to be smarter than him (I actually know schizophrenics who from the bottom of their soul believe that this machine development is actually the higher intelligence). Referencing a nice herb to demonical intelligence only brings down its credibility. This evilution is just another step in humans’ marsh to their ultimate mass suicide.
Much has also been said about Ashwagandha for thyroid help, especially increasing T3 production. Can you expand on that?
Looking for help with fluoroquinolone toxicity and damage to the mitochondria. Would Ashwagandha hand help it?
a big eyeopener for ashwagandha after reading your opinion