Fight depression and tiredness with Rhodiola Rosea!

Have you ever heard of a plant called Rhodiola Rosea? Many of you maybe not, but Rhodiola is one of the plants that you should know. Rhodiola has a wide range of positive effects. It can help you manage depression and anxiety. It slows down cell aging process and supports imunity.

What is Rhodiola and where does it come from?

Rhodiola Rosea is a plant that mostly grows in cold and mountanious areas of Europe and Asia. Rhodiola has approximately 200 subtypes, and at least 20 of these subtypes are used as a traditional medicine in Russia, Scandinavia, China and India. Most famous subtype of Rhodiola is definitely Rhodiola Rosea. Rhodiola Rosea is very popular in Europe and North America. In these regions i tis mostly consumed in a form of supplement. Positive effects of Rhodiola Rosea are known for hundreds of years. Our ancestors used Rhodiola roots for depression treatment , headaches, chronic fatique etc.

Rhodiola Rosea as an adaptogen

Rhodiola Rosea contain many active compounds. There is around 140 active compounds in the Rhodiola root. It contain many flavonoids, fenyletanoids, glycosides etc. All of these compounds together works as an adaptogen. That means rhodiola can fight anxiety, reduces negative effect of stress on our minds, reduces fatique and depression, helps with focus and physical performance. It supports strong immune system, is anti-inflammatory and helps reduce impact of neuro-endocrinal diseases. It lowers risk of Alzheimer disease, heart attacks and strokes. One of the benefits of Rhodiola is that studies have not shown negative side effects of using Rhodiola Rosea.

One of the most important components of Rhodiola Rosea for humans is SHR-5, which benefits are studied by scientists since 1985. Tests have shown that using SHR-5 repetitively (but also acutely) improved cognitive abilities , focus , reduced physical and emotional fatique, and reduced depression.

Rhodiola against cancer and diabetes

Studies are showing a promise that Rhodiola can be helpful in a fight against diabetes and even cancer. Studies have shown that Rhodiola extract with salidrosides lowers blood sugar levels by increasing glucose transportes in blood, which improves distributing glucose into the blood. Rhodiola also protects β- cells from failure. These cells are supporting synthesis and secretion of isulin and amylin. Studies have also shown that , based on experiments on tumors, Rhodiola Rosea extract can inhibit tumor growth and cause cancer cells death.

Rhodiola Rosea against stress

Rhodiola Rosea will not fight all the stress we have in our day-to-day life. But it can increase resilience against stress and its consequences. People are born with mechanisms that help combat stress, but with too much stress they loose their effect. Study has shown that only three days of supplementing with Rhodiola can improve stress resilience. Rhodiola focus on the source of stress rather than symptoms that are cause of the stress. Thanks to that, Rhodiola is extremely helpful in fighting burnout syndrome, that is caused by chronic stress and is very risky for human´s health.

Using Rhodiola modulates release of cortisol in the body, and by activation of ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) synthesis in mitochondria it stimulates energy metabolism. That increases physical and mental endurance, improves mood and eliminates feelings of anger and frustration. Studies have even shown that using Rhodiola improves regeneration of muscle tissue after prolonged physical activity.

Rhodiola and Chronic exhaustion and fatique

Population of the western countries are more and more chronically exhausted. There are helpful tools such as behavioral therapy and various exercises, and another tool that has been proven is Rhodiola Rosea extract. Rhodiola effectively regulates Cortisol in the body , which improves cognitive abilities and improves mental performance.

Rhodiola and depression

Symptoms of depression are more and more prvalent among the population. They affect every aspect of the people´s lifes, work and social life. People often start with heavy medication, such as antidepressants, to improve the symptoms of depression. But antidepressants can have serious side effects and and can be addictive.

Rhodiola Rosea can restore neurotransmitters balance without causing side effects. Rosiridin , as an active compound in Rhodiola Rosea, is a monoamine oxidase ( MAO –A and MAO-B ) inhibitor. Monoamine Oxidase breaks down catecholamines, serotonin, melatonin and other substances that are beneficial to our well-being. Using supplement with rosiridin alleviates depression, helps fight insomnia and improves quality of sleep overall.

Improves cognitive functions

There are many ways to maintain healthy brain and its functions. Healthy diet and frequent brain training are great ways to prevent brain aging. Supplementnig Rhodiola Rosea is a great way to support brain function as well. Studies have shown that cognitive functions improved in a test group after using Rhodiola Rosea supplement by 20 percent compared to placebo group. Short-term memory has improved, associative thinking focus and ability to solve mathematical problems and audiovisual peception got better as well.

Besides that, students noticed they feel less tired and motivation to learn improved. Students that have been using Rhodiola extract for 20 days, got better test results by 8 percent and physical abilities and stamina were improved as well.

Improves mental and physical performance

As mentioned above, Rhodiola Rosea positively impacts mental and physical performance. There is a study that examined Rhodiola supplementation before sport performance in athletes. Supplement contained rosavins and salidrosides. Results of study proved that supplement improved stamina, visual reaction time, and movement of lower limbs. In another study, Rhodiola lowered heartbeat during warm-up phase and athletes that have taken Rhodiola supplement finished a serie of tasks faster than the ones that did not use supplement.