Rhodiola
Contains: See Supplement Facts Below
Size: 60 count
Manufacturer: Life Extension
Suggested Retail Price: US$ 24.95
Price: US$ 23.00
Rhodiola rosea (R. rosea)is an adaptogenic herb with tremendous fat-burning, energy-enhancing and brain-boosting power. Adaptogens including rhodiola are a group of plants that can help your body adapt to physical, chemical, and environmental stress. Rhodiola is one of the most effective in this family, due to containing active compounds like rosoavin that have the ability to help balance the stress hormone, cortisol.
Rhodiola has been proven to have at least four major health benefits. These include:
What Is Rhodiola Rosea?
Rhodiola rosea is a powerful, stress-busting supplement.
As an “ergogenic aid” and an adaptogen— or a “natural herbal product that is non-toxic in normal doses, that produces a non-specific response, and that has a normalizing physiologic influence”— rhodiola is very helpful for improving both physical and mental energy and for fighting the negative effects of stress. It helps body adapt to stress by decreasing or preventing hormonal changes tied to prolonged stress. Research suggests that some of the ways it does this is by acting on beta-endorphins and opioid neuropeptides to enhance stress tolerance and by positively affecting other stress adaptation factors.
Studies have found that Rhodiola rosea contains more than 40 kinds of chemical compounds. Active constituents found within rhodiola that are responsible for its pharmacological effects include rosavin and salidroside. Rosavin is the only constituent unique to R. rosea within the Rhodiola plant family, while salidroside is common to most other rhodiola species.
Rosavin is found in higher concentrations than salidrosides, with approximately a 3:1 ratio within R. rosea. In animal studies it’s been found that rosavin contributes to rhodiola’s benefits by having antidepressant-like, adaptogenic, anxiolytic-like and stimulating effects.
5 Rhodiola Rosea Benefits
1. Helps Burn More Belly Fat
One of the many incredible characteristics of rhodiola is that it helps your body burn stored fat more efficiently as fuel.
What allows rhodiola to help lose belly fat?? Certain animal studies have found evidence that Rhodiola rosea might reduce visceral white adipose tissue and increase hypothalamic norepinephrine to help prevent diet-induced obesity.
Rhodiola’s most active compound, rosavin, has been shown to trigger a fat-burning response. Because it helps normalize cortisol levels, rhodiola may also reduce cravings for unhealthy “comfort foods” and delay fat-accumulation that is tied to high cortisol levels (especially fat around the abdomen/belly).
Rosavin works by stimulating an enzyme called “hormone-sensitive lipase,” which has the ability to breakdown fat that is stored in adipose tissue (in the belly area). Some sources suggest that if you combine taking rhodiola extract with doing moderate exercise, the breakdown of belly fat increases even more.
2. Increases Energy and Athletic Performance
Research implies that if you’re looking for a natural way to boost energy and increase athletic performance, then rhodiola may be for you. Today, one of the most popular uses of rhodiola is for increasing energy, stamina and strength.
Rhodiola may help increase your stamina and endurance by increasing your red blood cell count and lowering oxidative damage. Red blood cells (RBC) carry oxygen to muscles, and having a higher count can dramatically improve an athlete’s performance and help to delay fatigue. Rhodiola benefits work by boosting EPO, also known as erythropoietin, which stimulates RBC production.
According to a study published in the International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism in 2004, rhodiola has anti-inflammatory benefits that aid rapid recovery of muscles and improve endurance. Another study performed on rats found that supplementing with rhodiola could increase endurance by allowing the animals to swim 25 percent longer. The improvements happened because rhodiola was found to increase synthesis of ATP, which is essential for cellular energy.
3. May Help Fight Physical & Mental Fatigue
You don’t have to be an athlete to experience the benefits of rhodiola. Not only can it help reduce physical fatigue, but it may also decrease mental fatigue and symptoms like brain fog or lack of concentration. Rhodiola is also often used to help people overcome exhaustion from low-intensity, but frequent, exercise or movements. Whether you’re a stay-at-home mom, a business executive or a student, you’ll be happy to know that rhodiola has been shown to increase workplace performance and to help decrease the effects that lack of sleep can have on your body.
According to author and naturopathic physician Tori Hudson, rhodiola can be prescribed to patients for several reasons, including helping to treat adrenal fatigue, chronic fatigue, poor recovery from workouts and problems with physical/athletic performance.
A 2012 systematic review of 11 randomized, controlled trials that focused on rhodiola’s anti-fatigue effects found that “some evidence suggests that the herb may be helpful for enhancing physical performance and alleviating mental fatigue.” However, the researchers did point out that “methodological flaws limit accurate assessment of efficacy,” so further studies are needed.
4. Helps Lower Cortisol
One of the main reasons people turn to adaptogenic herbs like rhodiola is to help balance cortisol levels, which can be beneficial for slowing age-related symptoms and for looking and feeling better. Rhodiola can be helpful for calming your body when your nervous system goes into “fight or flight” mode due to dealing everyday stressors.
When the hormone cortisol stays high for a long period of time, such as from emotional or physical stress, it can cause you to experience stress-related symptoms, such as:
5. Can Help Fight Depression and Improve Brain Function
Another amazing benefit of supplementing with rhodiola is that it’s been shown to help improve cognitive functioning and to help as a depression remedy.
Rhodiola may help to increase the sensitivity of your neurons (cells of your brain and nervous system), including the two neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine. These neurotransmitters are known for increasing focus, memory, pleasure, and overall mood improvement — making them very important for preventing anxiety and depression. In animal studies, rhodiola has also been shown to help repair damaged neurons in the hippocampus, a region of the brain considered to be the center for emotion, memory and the autonomic nervous system regulation.
Rhodiola may increase dopamine sensitivity, which has been shown to improve moods and also to help fight food cravings and addictions.
In a clinical trail with 150 individuals suffering from depression, participants were given Rhodiola rosea for one month. At the end of the trail two-thirds of the group had full remission of depression symptoms and daytime weakness had also greatly improved.
Another small 2015 study that was supported by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) tested rhodiola against the drug sertraline (often prescribed to treat depression) and a placebo in 58 adults with mild-to-moderate major depressive disorder. Results showed that all treatments were similarly effective in reducing depressive symptoms (there were no significant difference found between groups at the end of the study), but the participants who took rhodiola had fewer side effects than those who took sertraline.
Can rhodiola also help with anxiety? Yes, it seems likely that it can. A trial involving 80 “mildly anxious participants” found that compared to controls, the experimental group (taking Rhodiola rosea in the form of 2 × 200 mg dose Vitano®) demonstrated a “significant reduction in self-reported, anxiety, stress, anger, confusion and depression at 14 days and a significant improvements in total mood.” No relevant differences in cognitive performance between the rhodiola and untreated groups were observed. Rhodiola supplementation was shown to have a “favourable safety tolerability profile.”
Another small pilot study including 10 adults with anxiety found that supplementing with 360 milligrams of rhodiola daily for 10 weeks led to significant improvement in symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and a reduction in the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS) scores. Some physicians have also started recommending rhodiola for ADD and ADHD because of its ability to improve focus.
Rhodiola Dosage & Types
When should you take rhodiola? And what is the ideal rhodiola rosea dosage?
Here’s what you need to know about rhodiola supplementation:
Potential Rhodiola Side Effects & Precautions
What are the side effects of rhodiola? Rhodiola has been found to be generally well-tolerated by most people, and, according to some studies, less likely to cause side effects than prescription drugs such as antidepressants. That being said, when rhodiola is taken orally it can potentially cause side effects like temporary dizziness and dry mouth. If these side effects persist, you should stop taking rhodiola. If you’re already taking medications and interested in trying rhodiola as an alternative, it’s best to speak with your doctor first before stopping any medication.
Overall, while some studies (and reviews) have found that rhodiola shows promise for offering many benefits, according to the National Institute of Health, “The quality of research is limited so firm conclusions about its effectiveness can’t be made.” (2) Most researchers have reported that while R. rosea may have beneficial effects on physical performance, mental performance and certain mental health conditions, more research is still warranted.
Link to PubMed.gov article:
The effectiveness and efficacy of Rhodiola rosea L.: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials
Rhodiola has been proven to have at least four major health benefits. These include:
- Helps to lower the “stress hormone,” cortisol
- Fights depression and improving brain function
- Supports weight loss and helping to burn belly fat
- Increasing energy and athletic performance, while reducing mental and physical fatigue
What Is Rhodiola Rosea?
Rhodiola rosea is a powerful, stress-busting supplement.
As an “ergogenic aid” and an adaptogen— or a “natural herbal product that is non-toxic in normal doses, that produces a non-specific response, and that has a normalizing physiologic influence”— rhodiola is very helpful for improving both physical and mental energy and for fighting the negative effects of stress. It helps body adapt to stress by decreasing or preventing hormonal changes tied to prolonged stress. Research suggests that some of the ways it does this is by acting on beta-endorphins and opioid neuropeptides to enhance stress tolerance and by positively affecting other stress adaptation factors.
Studies have found that Rhodiola rosea contains more than 40 kinds of chemical compounds. Active constituents found within rhodiola that are responsible for its pharmacological effects include rosavin and salidroside. Rosavin is the only constituent unique to R. rosea within the Rhodiola plant family, while salidroside is common to most other rhodiola species.
Rosavin is found in higher concentrations than salidrosides, with approximately a 3:1 ratio within R. rosea. In animal studies it’s been found that rosavin contributes to rhodiola’s benefits by having antidepressant-like, adaptogenic, anxiolytic-like and stimulating effects.
5 Rhodiola Rosea Benefits
1. Helps Burn More Belly Fat
One of the many incredible characteristics of rhodiola is that it helps your body burn stored fat more efficiently as fuel.
What allows rhodiola to help lose belly fat?? Certain animal studies have found evidence that Rhodiola rosea might reduce visceral white adipose tissue and increase hypothalamic norepinephrine to help prevent diet-induced obesity.
Rhodiola’s most active compound, rosavin, has been shown to trigger a fat-burning response. Because it helps normalize cortisol levels, rhodiola may also reduce cravings for unhealthy “comfort foods” and delay fat-accumulation that is tied to high cortisol levels (especially fat around the abdomen/belly).
Rosavin works by stimulating an enzyme called “hormone-sensitive lipase,” which has the ability to breakdown fat that is stored in adipose tissue (in the belly area). Some sources suggest that if you combine taking rhodiola extract with doing moderate exercise, the breakdown of belly fat increases even more.
2. Increases Energy and Athletic Performance
Research implies that if you’re looking for a natural way to boost energy and increase athletic performance, then rhodiola may be for you. Today, one of the most popular uses of rhodiola is for increasing energy, stamina and strength.
Rhodiola may help increase your stamina and endurance by increasing your red blood cell count and lowering oxidative damage. Red blood cells (RBC) carry oxygen to muscles, and having a higher count can dramatically improve an athlete’s performance and help to delay fatigue. Rhodiola benefits work by boosting EPO, also known as erythropoietin, which stimulates RBC production.
According to a study published in the International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism in 2004, rhodiola has anti-inflammatory benefits that aid rapid recovery of muscles and improve endurance. Another study performed on rats found that supplementing with rhodiola could increase endurance by allowing the animals to swim 25 percent longer. The improvements happened because rhodiola was found to increase synthesis of ATP, which is essential for cellular energy.
3. May Help Fight Physical & Mental Fatigue
You don’t have to be an athlete to experience the benefits of rhodiola. Not only can it help reduce physical fatigue, but it may also decrease mental fatigue and symptoms like brain fog or lack of concentration. Rhodiola is also often used to help people overcome exhaustion from low-intensity, but frequent, exercise or movements. Whether you’re a stay-at-home mom, a business executive or a student, you’ll be happy to know that rhodiola has been shown to increase workplace performance and to help decrease the effects that lack of sleep can have on your body.
According to author and naturopathic physician Tori Hudson, rhodiola can be prescribed to patients for several reasons, including helping to treat adrenal fatigue, chronic fatigue, poor recovery from workouts and problems with physical/athletic performance.
A 2012 systematic review of 11 randomized, controlled trials that focused on rhodiola’s anti-fatigue effects found that “some evidence suggests that the herb may be helpful for enhancing physical performance and alleviating mental fatigue.” However, the researchers did point out that “methodological flaws limit accurate assessment of efficacy,” so further studies are needed.
4. Helps Lower Cortisol
One of the main reasons people turn to adaptogenic herbs like rhodiola is to help balance cortisol levels, which can be beneficial for slowing age-related symptoms and for looking and feeling better. Rhodiola can be helpful for calming your body when your nervous system goes into “fight or flight” mode due to dealing everyday stressors.
When the hormone cortisol stays high for a long period of time, such as from emotional or physical stress, it can cause you to experience stress-related symptoms, such as:
- lowered blood glucose response
- abdominal weight gain
- thyroid issues
- hormone imbalances
- decreased memory
- weakened immunity
5. Can Help Fight Depression and Improve Brain Function
Another amazing benefit of supplementing with rhodiola is that it’s been shown to help improve cognitive functioning and to help as a depression remedy.
Rhodiola may help to increase the sensitivity of your neurons (cells of your brain and nervous system), including the two neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine. These neurotransmitters are known for increasing focus, memory, pleasure, and overall mood improvement — making them very important for preventing anxiety and depression. In animal studies, rhodiola has also been shown to help repair damaged neurons in the hippocampus, a region of the brain considered to be the center for emotion, memory and the autonomic nervous system regulation.
Rhodiola may increase dopamine sensitivity, which has been shown to improve moods and also to help fight food cravings and addictions.
In a clinical trail with 150 individuals suffering from depression, participants were given Rhodiola rosea for one month. At the end of the trail two-thirds of the group had full remission of depression symptoms and daytime weakness had also greatly improved.
Another small 2015 study that was supported by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) tested rhodiola against the drug sertraline (often prescribed to treat depression) and a placebo in 58 adults with mild-to-moderate major depressive disorder. Results showed that all treatments were similarly effective in reducing depressive symptoms (there were no significant difference found between groups at the end of the study), but the participants who took rhodiola had fewer side effects than those who took sertraline.
Can rhodiola also help with anxiety? Yes, it seems likely that it can. A trial involving 80 “mildly anxious participants” found that compared to controls, the experimental group (taking Rhodiola rosea in the form of 2 × 200 mg dose Vitano®) demonstrated a “significant reduction in self-reported, anxiety, stress, anger, confusion and depression at 14 days and a significant improvements in total mood.” No relevant differences in cognitive performance between the rhodiola and untreated groups were observed. Rhodiola supplementation was shown to have a “favourable safety tolerability profile.”
Another small pilot study including 10 adults with anxiety found that supplementing with 360 milligrams of rhodiola daily for 10 weeks led to significant improvement in symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and a reduction in the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS) scores. Some physicians have also started recommending rhodiola for ADD and ADHD because of its ability to improve focus.
Rhodiola Dosage & Types
When should you take rhodiola? And what is the ideal rhodiola rosea dosage?
Here’s what you need to know about rhodiola supplementation:
- Randomized, controlled trials have studied a range of rhodiola doses for treating conditions such as depression and fatigue. Many use R. rosea extract in doses between 350–1500 milligrams daily. Doses as low as 80–300 milligrams/day have even been shown to help reduce fatigue. It’s recommended that you take no more than about 750 milligrams daily without speaking with a doctor first or being monitored.
- For help with weight loss, studies have found that taking a combination of C. aurantium (bitter orange) and R. rosea helps to best prevent obesity and health problems caused by over-feeding. Ashwagandha and rhodiola for weight loss also seems effective.
- Ideally, rhodiola should be taken about 15 minutes before meals. Higher doses should be split into two to help with absorption (such as one dose before breakfast and one before dinner).
Potential Rhodiola Side Effects & Precautions
What are the side effects of rhodiola? Rhodiola has been found to be generally well-tolerated by most people, and, according to some studies, less likely to cause side effects than prescription drugs such as antidepressants. That being said, when rhodiola is taken orally it can potentially cause side effects like temporary dizziness and dry mouth. If these side effects persist, you should stop taking rhodiola. If you’re already taking medications and interested in trying rhodiola as an alternative, it’s best to speak with your doctor first before stopping any medication.
Overall, while some studies (and reviews) have found that rhodiola shows promise for offering many benefits, according to the National Institute of Health, “The quality of research is limited so firm conclusions about its effectiveness can’t be made.” (2) Most researchers have reported that while R. rosea may have beneficial effects on physical performance, mental performance and certain mental health conditions, more research is still warranted.
Link to PubMed.gov article:
The effectiveness and efficacy of Rhodiola rosea L.: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials
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