Rhodiola Rosea by Cytomatrix

Each capsule contains: 150 mg Rhodiola rosea extract (root) - standardized to 3% rosavins

Used as a traditional medicine for centuries in Eastern Europe, specifically Russia and Scandinavia, Rhodiola rosea extract (RRE) has been defined as an adaptogen and has a variety of physiological and emotional benefits.

Adaptogen is a term used to describe a group of plants that have the ability to increase nonspecific resistance of the body to a wide range of chemical, physical, psychological and biological factors (stressors). The mechanism by which adaptogens work is associated with the neuroendocrine/immune complex. Adaptogens affect the hypothalamus-hypophysis-adrenal cortex axis of the endocrine system, as well as the immune system and the central and sympathetic nervous systems. There are biochemical activators of the stress response (nitric oxide, catecholamines such as epinephrine and dopamine, and the inflammatory mediators termed leukotrienes, among others) and inhibitors of the stress response (corticosteroids, prostaglandin E2 or PGE2). There should be equilibrium among these biochemicals in order for the organism to achieve what is termed homeostasis, or balance of all body systems and functions. Pharmacological and clinical studies show that the majority of human clinical studies have used a minimum 3% rosavin extract.

Depression: For the treatment of depression, extracts of rhodiola, namely rosavin and salidroside, in animal studies seem to enhance the transport of serotonin precursors, tryptophan, and 5-hydroxytryptophan into the brain and decrease the action of COMT (catechol-O-methyltransferase), an enzyme that degrades serotonin. Russian scientists have used rhodiola alone or in combination with antidepressants to enhance mental state and decrease the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) common to Northern European countries. Research has shown that RRE can increase the level of neurotransmitters by as much as 30 percent and decrease COMT activity by up to 60%. Several double-blind placebo controlled clinical studies have shown that RRE imparts positive mood enhancement as well as anxiolytic properties with no detectable levels of toxicity.

Stress: The sympathetic nervous system helps the organism respond to stress (eg. by increasing heart rate, respiratory rate, and muscle tone). The parasympathetic nervous system conserves and restores energy (eg. by slowing the heart rate, respiratory rate, and metabolism). By enhancing the functions of the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems, RRE enables the organism to put out more energy during stress while at the same time maintaining higher energy reserves. A recent study reported that RRE had both a stimulating and normalizing effect on students during a stressful examination. Positive effects were noted on physical fitness, mental fatigue, and neuro-motoric tests. Also a self-assessment of the general well-being of each individual was also significantly higher than placebo.

Increased mental and physical performance: In a study analyzing mental fatigue in healthy young physicians on night duty, RRE significantly improved overall mental fatigue. This was evident in test scores measuring complex perceptive and cognitive cerebral functions such as associative thinking, short term memory, concentration, and speed of audio-visual perception. Improvements in physical performance were demonstrated when sedentary subjects given the adaptogen were able to perform in the lower level of trained athletes without any exercise training. Their heart rate variability and inotropic (strength of heart muscle contractility) functions improved. Both the sympathetic and parasympathetic inputs to the heart were enhanced such that the heart showed increased reserves under stress of greater intensity.

Consult your health care practitioner when supplementing with any natural products.

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