What Are Adaptogens, and Should I Eat Them?

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What Are Adaptogens, and Should I Eat Them?

• DOC-AID Urgent Care

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• These days, stress is a constant presence in our
  lives. The coronavirus pandemic has worsened
  things, with 47 of the American population
  reporting a significant rise in stress since the
  pandemic. One ancient remedy thats getting a lot
  of attention is adaptogens, which are thought to
  help reduce stress-related symptoms in the body.
• Herbs and food as medicine are highly valued in
  natural medicine. An example is adaptogenic
  herbs, also known as adaptogens. These can have
  a positive effect on your stress response.

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What Are Adaptogens?

• An adaptogen is an herb, root, or other plant
  component, such as mushrooms, that helps our
  bodies cope with stress and return to balance
  after a stressful experience. People take
  adaptogens in herbal supplements, infusions in
  teas, or a powder added to soups, smoothies, and
  other foods.

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What makes the plant an adaptogen?

• Its not toxic when taken in regular doses
• It helps your body handle stress
• It helps your body get back to its natural state
• Adaptogens are great for short-term stress but
  are not the answer to chronic stress.

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How do they work?

• The concept behind stress is called general
  adaptation syndrome, which breaks it down into
  three stages alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.
• When we are exposed to a stressor, for example,
  when we begin lifting weights, our body releases
  hormones such as adrenaline that enhance muscle
  performance and our ability to focus and focus on
  the task in phase resistance. In this way, our
  body is fighting the stressor, and we feel more
  energized and clear because our body is giving us
  an energy boost to fight it. As we get tired, we
  enter phase exhaustion. This is where adaptogens
  stretch out that sweet spot in the middlethe
  phase of resistanceso we can stay in the
  muscular part longer.

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Popular Adaptogens and Their Benefits

• Many herbs qualify as adaptogens. However, the
  knowledge of most of these substances still needs
  to be improved. Recent research suggests they can
  help our bodies in various ways, such as
  enhancing mood, regulating hormones, combating
  tiredness, and strengthening the immune system.
  According to one study, adaptogens might be
  beneficial alongside regular treatments for
  recovery after surgery, managing congestive heart
  failure, or dealing with chronic obstructive
  pulmonary disease (COPD).

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Here are some popular adaptogens and what theyre
used for

• Ashwagandha It can help reduce feelings of
  anxiety and depression.
• Ginseng (American or Asian) Its used to combat
  fatigue.
• Reishi mushroom This mushroom is known for
  boosting the immune system and has been studied
  for its potential in cancer treatment.
• Rhodiola Its known to decrease fatigue,
  depression, and pain.
• Schisandra It can improve concentration,
  coordination, and endurance.
• Tulsi (Holy Basil) Can increase focus, reduce
  anxiety, and enhance the immune system.

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When Should I Be Cautious About Taking Adaptogens?

• Due to the wide range of adaptogens, it can take
  time to figure out which herbs, plants, or
  supplements fit you. Youll need to know a lot
  about each plant and how it might affect you
  based on your medical history. So, talking to
  your doctor before trying any adaptogens is best.
  Some of them can interfere with your
  prescriptions, and they can cause different side
  effects if you take them in higher amounts. Plus,
  some of these substances can negatively impact
  your hormones, so dont use them if youre
  pregnant or breastfeeding.

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• Its important to remember that adaptogens arent
  cure-all. They may help relieve some of your
  stress but wont completely eliminate it. If
  youre buying something with adaptogens in it,
  make sure you read the label to make sure its
  packed with the right vitamins and minerals.

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• Give us a call or schedule an appointment with DOC
  -AID Urgent Care to assess your bodys level of
  cortisol, help manage your stress levels, and see
  if adaptogens are right for you!