
Our Ashwaganda is produced using pure KSM66, at a dose of 500mg per cap, 120 capsules per bottle.
Ashwaganda has been used for hundreds of years for stress management, supporting hormonal balance, and improving athletic performance. KSM66 is a patented extraction process ensuring a consistent end product every time, ensuring withalanoids are maintained at a consistent 5% total weight.
What is Ashwagandha and what does it do?
Ashwagandha, also known by it's Latin name "Withania somnifera", as "Indian Ginseng", or occasionally "Winter Cherry", is a highly regarded herb within Traditional Indian Medicine (Ayurvedic) as well as one of the most popular herbal supplements in the industry. Traditionally used to promote general wellness, muscle strength and endurance, generally associated in the Indian culture with "youthful vigour". It is grown wild and farmed in abundance throughout Africa, Southern and Central Asia.
In modern human clinical trials, the most efficacy for Ashwagandha is found in altering stress and anxiety responses for chronically stressed adults, these are usually associated with its effect in decreasing cortisol levels.
When it comes to supplements, you will most commonly find Ashwagandha included in anti-stress and sleep formulations, as well as some preworkout and fat burner formulations. As well as unbranded extracts, KSM-66®, Sensoril®, and Shoden® are all widely available in single-ingredient capsule or powder forms.
Because Ashwagandha is a popular herb, there is also a fair amount of human clinical trials run on it. To date, evidence for functions it works on include:
In modern human clinical trials, the most efficacy for Ashwagandha is found in altering stress and anxiety responses for chronically stressed adults, these are usually associated with its effect in decreasing cortisol levels.
When it comes to supplements, you will most commonly find Ashwagandha included in anti-stress and sleep formulations, as well as some preworkout and fat burner formulations. As well as unbranded extracts, KSM-66®, Sensoril®, and Shoden® are all widely available in single-ingredient capsule or powder forms.
Because Ashwagandha is a popular herb, there is also a fair amount of human clinical trials run on it. To date, evidence for functions it works on include:
- demonstrated testosterone increase in males with consistent use;
- demonstrated cortisol decrease in both males and females with consistent use;
- beneficial for reducing stress and anxiety;
- beneficial for improving sleep quality;
- beneficial as a source of anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory action;
- beneficial for immunomodulatory action;
- beneficial for enhancing cardiorespiratory endurance, improving muscle strength and recovery, and effective in general bodyweight management;
- Managing chronic stressors, such as a busy work schedule;
- Supporting a feeling of vigour, that bounce out of bed well rested and "ready to crush the day" feeling. This is likely through supporting better sleep quality and testosterone levels;
- Calming down after workout, or in the evening before bed.
How does Ashwagandha work?
As with any herbal extract, there are always many different compounds at work, working on different mechanisms. However when it comes to Ashwagandha, the key bioactive compounds accredited to the main benefits of Ashwagandha is the "Withanolides". Over 35 different withanolides have been isolated from the roots of Ashwagandha, but the bulk of the content is made up of withanoside V, withaferin A, withanolide A and withanolide B, and only the latter two have demonstrated good bioavailability. So, how does each work in the body?
Withanolide A
Withanolide A is expected to be the main component of Ashwagandha responsible for cognitive health, with some evidence for promoting axonal outgrowth and neurite repair. It also has notable evidence for the anti-stress and anti-anxiety functions as well as the immune support function.
Withanolide V
Withanolide V has demonstrated strong neuro-regenerative properities for nerve growth.
Withaferin A
Withaferin A has anti-oxidant, anti-tumor, apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory activities.
Withanolide A
Withanolide A is expected to be the main component of Ashwagandha responsible for cognitive health, with some evidence for promoting axonal outgrowth and neurite repair. It also has notable evidence for the anti-stress and anti-anxiety functions as well as the immune support function.
Withanolide V
Withanolide V has demonstrated strong neuro-regenerative properities for nerve growth.
Withaferin A
Withaferin A has anti-oxidant, anti-tumor, apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory activities.
HOW IS KSM66 ASHWagandha different?
"KSM-66 Ashwagandha is a branded, full-spectrum extract, with the highest concentration of all major root only extracts available on the market today. It is produced using a unique proprietary extraction process, based on “Green Chemistry” principles, without using alcohol or any other chemical solvent." - from the makers of KSM-66
Key Qualities:
- Standardised to 5% Withanolide concentration;
- Using root extracts only, no leaves;
- Applying Traditional extraction processes to a modern clinical process, including milk extraction;
- Full start to finish sourcing control, KSM-66 run the full operation from the farming of Ashwagandha to manufacturing;
- KSM-66 has been evaluated in 22 “Gold Standard” (double blind, placebo controlled) human clinical trials;
- By far the most consumer tested Ashwagandha extract, having been on the market since 2012.
- Vegetarian, Organic, Non-GMO, Kosher, GRAS Affirmed, Halal, and more.
HOW SHOULD I DOSE KSM66 ASHWAGANDHA?
As with any tool, it's always important to ensure correct dosing with your supplement protocol. Not all Ashwagandha extracts are equal, so it's important to understand the appropriate dose for KSM66 specifically.
A common "introductory" dose to KSM66 Ashwagandha would be 500mg (1 capsule), but for experienced users who have tested their response, dosage ranges can then go up to 1000mg (2 capsules).
For practical reasons, if you regularly feel the need to dose even higher than these, then there is probably other lifestyle or supplements to change. Or perhaps a different herb or compound would be a better choice for your desired goal.
A common "introductory" dose to KSM66 Ashwagandha would be 500mg (1 capsule), but for experienced users who have tested their response, dosage ranges can then go up to 1000mg (2 capsules).
For practical reasons, if you regularly feel the need to dose even higher than these, then there is probably other lifestyle or supplements to change. Or perhaps a different herb or compound would be a better choice for your desired goal.
F.A.Q.
I've heard Ashwagandha can cause cell toxicity, is this true?
This is a poorly substantiated rumour. To support Ashwagandha safety there is currently dozens of double blind placebo controlled human trials using various extracts of Ashwagandha, ultimately demonstrating safety within these normal dosing ranges. Over twenty of these studies are performed specifically on the KSM66 extract that is used in our formulation. To further support the point, there are also numerous VERY HIGH DOSE studies in animals that even at that extreme end of dosing, support safety and lack of toxicity. You can see a summary of these high dose toxicity studies at the link below.
Got a question? Send us an email at [email protected]
This is a poorly substantiated rumour. To support Ashwagandha safety there is currently dozens of double blind placebo controlled human trials using various extracts of Ashwagandha, ultimately demonstrating safety within these normal dosing ranges. Over twenty of these studies are performed specifically on the KSM66 extract that is used in our formulation. To further support the point, there are also numerous VERY HIGH DOSE studies in animals that even at that extreme end of dosing, support safety and lack of toxicity. You can see a summary of these high dose toxicity studies at the link below.
Got a question? Send us an email at [email protected]
Study Links
[1] Evaluation of the bioavailability of major withanolides of Withania somnifera using an in vitro absorption model system. (October 2015), Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology and Research.
[2] An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract. (September 2019), Medicine.
[3] Adaptogenic and Anxiolytic Effects of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Healthy Adults: A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Clinical Study. (December 2019), Cureus Journal of Medical Science.
[4] Efficacy and Tolerability of Ashwagandha Root Extract in the Elderly for Improvement of General Well-being and Sleep: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study. (February 2020), Cureus Journal of Medical Science.
[5] An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract. (September 2019), Medicine (Baltimore).
[6] Examining the effect of Withania somnifera supplementation on muscle strength and recovery: a randomized controlled trial. (November 2015), Journal of International Society of Sports Nutrition.
[7] Efficacy of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera [L.] Dunal) in improving cardiorespiratory endurance in healthy athletic adults. (Janruary 2015), Ayu.
[8] A Prospective, Randomized Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Safety and Efficacy of a High-Concentration Full-Spectrum Extract of Ashwagandha Root in Reducing Stress and Anxiety in Adults (July 2012), Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine
[1] Evaluation of the bioavailability of major withanolides of Withania somnifera using an in vitro absorption model system. (October 2015), Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology and Research.
[2] An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract. (September 2019), Medicine.
[3] Adaptogenic and Anxiolytic Effects of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Healthy Adults: A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Clinical Study. (December 2019), Cureus Journal of Medical Science.
[4] Efficacy and Tolerability of Ashwagandha Root Extract in the Elderly for Improvement of General Well-being and Sleep: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study. (February 2020), Cureus Journal of Medical Science.
[5] An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract. (September 2019), Medicine (Baltimore).
[6] Examining the effect of Withania somnifera supplementation on muscle strength and recovery: a randomized controlled trial. (November 2015), Journal of International Society of Sports Nutrition.
[7] Efficacy of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera [L.] Dunal) in improving cardiorespiratory endurance in healthy athletic adults. (Janruary 2015), Ayu.
[8] A Prospective, Randomized Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Safety and Efficacy of a High-Concentration Full-Spectrum Extract of Ashwagandha Root in Reducing Stress and Anxiety in Adults (July 2012), Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine