Nurture your gut, protect your brain?
Would you believe that Parkinson’s disease could start in the gut? Scientists have found that certain gut bacteria may contribute to its development by triggering inflammation and affecting neural pathways. These findings highlight the importance of gut health in managing neurological disorders.
Create a SPA at Home
Most of us dream of a relaxing SPA ritual. We plan a weekend getaway to Druskininkai, Birštonas, or take a few hours off from our daily worries to visit a SPA day center. However, we often get caught up in our routines, fall ill, or postpone our plans due to an overwhelming workload. But today, we want to explore the topic of having a SPA experience at home.
Hyaluronic Acid – Trend or Benefit?
In recent years, hyaluronic acid (HA) has become one of the most popular ingredients in the beauty and health industry. HA is often used in skincare products, to improve joint health, and even as a dietary supplement. But is it just a passing trend, or is there scientifically proven value? Let’s take a closer look at what the latest scientific research says about the use of hyaluronic acid.
When and How to Take Probiotics?
Probiotics are beneficial for gut microbiota and overall body balance. Learn when and how to take them to achieve the best impact on your health.
WARNING
Our provided information is for educational purposes only. Always consult with a doctor or healthcare specialist before starting any new treatment, diet, wellness regimen, or supplement use, especially if you are taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have health conditions that may cause contraindications when using our products.
UAB 'Innovation Strategy' is not responsible for any health consequences if a person follows only the provided recommendation or information without additional consultation with a specialist.
Published Clinical Studies on KSM-66® Ashwagandha
A 60-day study found that participants who consumed a high-concentration full-spectrum Ashwagandha root extract experienced a significant reduction in stress assessment scores and cortisol levels compared to the placebo group.
Source: Chandrasekhar, K., Kapoor, J., & Anishetty, S. (2012). Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, 34(3), 255.
A 12-week study found that physically active adults who consumed Ashwagandha root extract experienced a significant increase in maximum oxygen consumption (VO₂ max) and an improvement in quality of life (QOL) scores compared to the placebo group.
VO₂ max (maximum oxygen consumption) measures the maximum amount of oxygen your body can utilize during intense exercise. It reflects cardiorespiratory fitness and endurance—higher VO₂ max means the heart, lungs, and muscles can efficiently supply and use oxygen, which is essential for sustained physical activity.
QOL (Quality of Life) assesses overall well-being and life satisfaction, including physical and mental health, emotional well-being, social relationships, and daily function. In clinical studies, QOL scores evaluate improvements in these areas due to interventions like supplements or treatments.
Source: Choudhary, B., Shetty, A., & Langade, D. G. (2015). Ayu, 36(1), 63.
An 8-week study found that participants who consumed Ashwagandha experienced a greater increase in muscle strength, muscle mass, and testosterone levels compared to the placebo group. The study also noted a significant reduction in exercise-induced muscle damage and body fat percentage.
Source: Wankhede, S., Langade, D., Joshi, K., Sinha, S. R., & Bhattacharyya, S. (2015). Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 12(1), 43.
A study found that Ashwagandha root extract increased telomerase activity by approximately 45%, indicating potential anti-aging benefits.
Telomerase activity refers to the process by which the telomerase enzyme helps protect and restore the ends of DNA strands (telomeres), which naturally shorten with aging. This process supports healthier and longer-lasting cells.
Source: Raguraman, V., & Subramaniam, J. R. (2016). Advances in Bioscience and Biotechnology, 7(04), 199.
An 8-week study found that Ashwagandha significantly improved TSH, T3, and T4 levels, effectively normalizing thyroid markers in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism.
Source: Sharma, A. K., Basu, I., & Singh, S. (2017). The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.
An 8-week study found that participants who consumed Ashwagandha experienced:
32.74% reduction in perceived stress scores
22.2% reduction in cortisol levels
3.0% reduction in body weight and BMI
Decreased food cravings and emotional eating
Source: Choudhary, D., Bhattacharyya, S., & Joshi, K. (2017). Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine, 22(1), 96-106.
An 8-week study found that participants who consumed Ashwagandha experienced significant improvements in memory, executive functions, sustained attention, and processing speed compared to the placebo group.
Source: Choudhary, D., Bhattacharyya, S., & Bose, S. (2017). Journal of Dietary Supplements.
A study conducted over 8 weeks found that participants who consumed Ashwagandha root extract experienced a significant reduction in stress levels (PSS scores) and a decrease in cortisol levels in the blood, especially at a dose of 600 mg/day. Additionally, Ashwagandha intake significantly improved sleep quality compared to the placebo group.
Source: Salve, J., Pate, S., Debnath, K., & Langade, D. (2019). Cureus, 11(12), e6466.
A study conducted over 8 weeks found that both healthy individuals and patients suffering from insomnia who consumed Ashwagandha experienced significant improvements in sleep quality, sleep onset latency, and mental alertness upon waking. A stronger effect was observed in the group of patients with insomnia.
Source: Langade, D., Thakare, V., Kanchi, S., & Kelgane, S. (2020). Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 264:113276.
A study conducted over 10 weeks found that participants who consumed Ashwagandha experienced a significant reduction in sleep onset latency, improved sleep efficiency, and overall sleep quality compared to the placebo group.
Source: Langade, D., Kanchi, S., Salve, J., Debnath, K., & Ambegaokar, D. (2019). Cureus, 11(9), e5797.
A study conducted over 8 weeks found that Ashwagandha supplements were safe, well-tolerated, and did not cause adverse effects. Additionally, the vital signs and biochemical markers of healthy volunteers remained unchanged.
Source: Verma, N., Gupta, S. K., Tiwari, S., & Mishra, A. K. (2020). Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 57, 102642.
A 12-week study found that older participants who consumed Ashwagandha experienced significant improvements in quality of life (QOL), sleep quality, and mental alertness compared to the placebo group.
Source: Kelgane, S. B., Salve, J., Sampara, P., & Debnath, K. (2020). Cureus, 12(2), e7083.
A study conducted over 8 weeks found that participants who consumed Ashwagandha experienced significant improvements in VO2 max, recovery, fatigue reduction, and antioxidant levels compared to the placebo group.
VO2 max (maximum oxygen consumption) is an indicator of the maximum amount of oxygen the body can use during intense physical activity. This measure reflects cardiorespiratory fitness and endurance. A higher VO2 max indicates that the heart, lungs, and muscles efficiently deliver and use oxygen, which is crucial for sustained physical performance.
Source: Tiwari, S., Gupta, S. K., & Pathak, A. K. (2021). Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 272, 113929.
A study conducted over 8 weeks found that women who consumed Ashwagandha root extract experienced a significant reduction in climacteric symptoms, including improvements in psychological, somatovegetative, and urogenital health, compared to the placebo group. Ashwagandha supplementation also statistically significantly increased estradiol levels in the blood and decreased FSH and LH levels, indicating potential benefits for hormonal balance.
Source: Gopal, S., Ajgaonkar, A., Kanchi, P., Kaundinya, A., Thakare, V., Chauhan, S., & Langade, D. (2021). J. Obstet. Gynaecol. Research, 47(12), 4414–4425.
A study conducted over 8 weeks found that men who consumed Ashwagandha root extract experienced significant improvements in their sexual health, reflected in higher DISF-M scores. Additionally, Ashwagandha supplements significantly increased testosterone levels in the blood, while prolactin levels remained unchanged.
Source: Chauhan, S., Srivastava, M. K., & Pathak, A. K. (2022). Health Science Reports, 5(4), e741.
A study conducted over 8 weeks found that women who consumed Ashwagandha root extract experienced significant improvements in sexual function, reflected in higher FSFI scores across all subcategories (desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain). Additionally, participants showed significant improvement in FSDS scores and an increase in the number of successful sexual experiences (SSEs) compared to the placebo group. Although improvements were observed in general health and psychological well-being (GHQ-28 scores), they were not statistically significant. Ashwagandha was well tolerated, with no significant adverse effects.
Source: Ajgaonkar, A., Jain, M., & Debnath, K. (2022). Cureus, 14(10): e30787.
This review examines the effects of Ashwagandha supplements on cognitive function and physical performance.
- Participants: The review analyzes multiple studies involving various groups, including athletes and healthy adults.
- Duration: The reviewed studies ranged from 8 to 12 weeks.
- Results: Analysis showed that Ashwagandha supplements are associated with cognitive improvements such as enhanced memory and attention, as well as increased physical performance, including greater muscle strength and improved cardiorespiratory capacity. These benefits were observed with different forms and dosages of Ashwagandha.
Source: Guo S, Rezaei MJ. The benefits of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) supplements on brain function and sports performance. Front Nutr. 2024 Aug 2;11:1439294. DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1439294. PMID: 39155932; PMCID: PMC11327513.
This study assessed the safety and effectiveness of Ashwagandha root extract in improving cognitive function, energy levels, and mood in adults experiencing self-reported cognitive and energy difficulties.
- Participants: Adults who reported cognitive and energy impairments.
- Duration: The study was conducted from May to November 2022.
- Results: Data suggest that a daily dose of 600 mg of Ashwagandha root extract can improve cognitive function, energy, and mood among participants.
Source: Kale, S., Lopresti, A., Suri, R., Garg, N., & Langade, D. (2024). Safety and Efficacy of Ashwagandha Root Extract on Cognition, Energy and Mood Problems in Adults: Prospective, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 1–13. DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2024.2424279.
This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract in reducing stress, improving sleep quality, and enhancing overall well-being in adults suffering from chronic stress.
- Participants: 131 adults reporting high stress levels.
- Duration: The study lasted 8 weeks.
- Results: Findings showed that all doses of Ashwagandha extract (125 mg, 250 mg, and 500 mg) significantly reduced stress levels, as measured by the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), with higher doses being more effective. Participants also reported improvements in sleep quality and overall well-being.
Source: Pandit, S., Srivastav, A. K., Sur, T. K., Chaudhuri, S., Wang, Y., & Biswas, T. K. (2024). Effects of Withania somnifera Extract in Chronically Stressed Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Nutrients, 16(9), 1293. DOI: 10.3390/nu16091293.
