The No BS Guide To Adaptogens

This article has been researched and written by Arelang Naturals^® in-house writers.

Adatogens are non-toxic plant compounds that help your body fight stress. These are not fruits or vegetables, but compounds extracted from medicinal herbs and roots. They’ve been used for eons in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine and have made a full comeback today. Adaptogens are revered for their balancing effect on the glands that regulate stress response in the body like the hypothalamic, pituitary and adrenal glands. They help your body adjust to physical, chemical, or biological stress. They help stimulate your body's stress-protection response and help its systems return to a balanced state called "homeostasis."

But how do these Adaptogens work in your body?

Stress is usually a three phase process in the body:

1. The Alarm Phase 2. The Phase Of Resistance 3. The Phase of Exhaustion

Let's understand this with an example. When you lift weights, your brain alarms the body about the stress that is going to come with it. It releases adrenaline to improve muscle performance and the ability to concentrate during the phase of resistance. That’s the body’s way of resisting the physical stress for as long as it can, before it goes into the exhaustion phase. Adaptogens help us stay in the resistance phase longer, through a stimulating effect that holds off the exhaustion. Instead of crashing in the midst of a stressful moment, task, or event, we attain equilibrium and can soldier on.
This isn't only true when you lift a heavy weight but also the case when your body undergoes mental fatigue and stress. This kind of stress is referred to as maladaptive stress and can be dealt with by adaptogens. When we can adapt to stress, we perform better and feel better despite what’s stressing us out. And with that, we can also improve our health and well-being.
Here’s another example - When you are mentally stressed, your adrenal gland releases the stress hormone cortisol, which then energizes you to tackle an emergency. But too much too often is bad for our bodies. Cortisol is the culprit for weight gain, especially around the belly area. When you reduce stress with adaptogens, you reduce stress hormones and hence their effect on weight gain.

okay, but what are the benefits of adaptogens?
the benefits of adaptogens are manifold but cannot be measured. they are to be felt by the body when it's exposed to stress. multiple studies on animals and humans show that adaptogens:

• Have neuroprotective elements
• Help fight fatigue
• Have antidepressant properties
• Help improve brain function and capacity
• Enhance overall mood
• Promote general health and wellbeing
• Lowers stress-induced disorders
• Helps balance hormones
• Fight the symptoms caused by elevated stress hormone levels (such as anxiety, depression, fatigue, high blood pressure, insulin resistance, and obesity)
• Combats the impact that stress has on cognitive function
• Normalizes body functions and helps the body kickstart oestrogen and testosterone production
• Increases physical stamina and improves energy levels
• Improve the function of organs, such as the liver and adrenal glands

Whew! The list is long, and the benefits are innumerable for the use of adapogenic herbs and extracts in your diets. Caim by arelang™ takes the guesswork away by using the top 3 on the list of herbal adaptogens known, in its formulations - Ashwagandha, Panax Ginseng and Goji Berry among a few others like Safed Musli, Kapikacchu, Gokhru, Vidarikand, Flaxseeds, Soy Lecithin, Milk Thistle and Green Tea, in the most potent and bioavailable versions of the herbs!