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Ginseng Benefits: Less Stress & Better Brain Function

AHA Publisher — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 07:00:02 +0000

Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DNM, CN – Ginseng has been used in Asia and North America for centuries. Many use it to improve thinking, concentration, memory and physical endurance. It’s also utilized to help with depression, anxiety and as a chronic fatigue natural treatment. This well-known herb is known to boost the immune system, fight infections and help men with erectile dysfunction. Native Americans once used the root as a stimulant and headache remedy, as well as a treatment for infertility, fever and indigestion. Today, approximately 6 million Americans take advantage of the proven ginseng benefits regularly. Find out why. What Is Ginseng? Ginseng was originally used as an herbal medicine in ancient China. There are even written records about its properties dating back to about 100 A.D. By the 16th century, it was so popular that control over the ginseng fields became an issue. Today, it is marketed in over 35 countries, and sales exceed $2 billion, half coming from South Korea. That’s not all. By the year 2027, the global market is expected to reach $12.6 billion according to projections. There are 11 species of ginseng, all belonging to the genus Panax of the family Araliaceae. The botanical name Panax means “all heal” in Greek. The name “ginseng” is used to refer to both American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) and Asian or Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng). The true ginseng plant belongs only to the Panax genus, so other species, such as Siberian ginseng and crown prince ginseng, have distinctively different functions. The unique and beneficial compounds of the Panax species are called ginsenosides, and they’re currently under clinical research to investigate their potential for medical use. Both Asian and American ginseng contain ginsenosides, but they include different types in different amounts. Research has varied, and some experts aren’t yet convinced that there’s enough data to label the medical capabilities of ginseng, but for centuries people have believed in its beneficial compounds and results. While the Panax family (Asian and American) varieties are the only “true” types of ginseng due to their high levels of the active ingredient ginsenosides, there are other adaptogenic herbs that have similar properties and are also known as relatives to ginseng. Here’s a rundown of the different types of ginseng out there: Asian Ginseng: Panax ginseng, also known as red ginseng and Korean ginseng, is the classic and original that has been renown for thousands of years. It is often used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for those who are struggling with low qi, coldness and a yang deficiency, which can display as fatigue. This form can also help with weakness, exhaustion, type 2 diabetes, erectile dysfunction and poor memory. American Ginseng: Panax quinquefolius grows throughout the northern regions of North America, including New York, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Ontario, Canada. It has been shown to fight depression, balance blood sugar, support digestive distress caused by anxiety, improve focus and boost the immune system. In comparison, the American variety is more mild than the Asian type but still very therapeutic and usually used to treat yin deficiency instead of yang deficiency. Siberian Ginseng: Eleutherococcus senticosus grows wild in Russia and Asia. Also known as just eleuthero, it contains high levels of eleutherosides, which have very similar advantages to ginsenosides found in panax species of ginseng. Studies indicate that Siberian ginseng may increase VO2 max to optimize cardiovascular endurance, improve fatigue and support immunity. Indian Ginseng: Withania somnifera, also known as ashwagandha, is a renowned herb in Ayurveda medicine for enhancing longevity. It has some similar features to classic ginseng but also has many differences. It can be taken more on a long-term basis and has been shown to improve thyroid hormone levels (TSH, T3 and T4), relieve anxiety, balance cortisol, improve cholesterol, regulate blood sugar and improve fitness levels. Brazilian Ginseng: Pfaffia paniculata, also known as suma root, grows throughout the rain forests of South America and means “for everything” in Portuguese because of its diverse benefits. Suma root contains ecdysterone, which appears to support healthy levels of testosterone in men and women and may also support muscular health, reduce inflammation, fight cancer, improve sexual performance and boost endurance. Ginseng Benefits Ginseng contains various pharmacological components, including a series of tetracyclic triterpenoid saponins (ginsenosides), polyacetylenes, polyphenolic compounds and acidic polysaccharides. Due to the presence of these plant compounds, it has the following benefits: 1. Improves Mood and Reduces Stress A controlled study done at the Brain Performance and Nutrition Research Centre in the United Kingdom involved 30 volunteers who were given three rounds of treatments of ginseng and placebo. The study was done to gather data about ginseng’s ability to improve mood and mental function. The results found that 200 milligrams of ginseng for eight days slowed the fall in mood but also delayed the participants’ response to mental arithmetic. The 400-milligram dose improved calmness and mental arithmetic for the duration of the eight-day treatment. Another study done at the Division of Pharmacology at the Central Drug Research Institute tested the effects of Panax ginseng on rats with chronic stress and found that it “has significant anti-stress properties and can be used for the treatment of stress-induced disorders.” The 100-milligram dose of Panax reduced the ulcer index, adrenal gland weight and plasma glucose levels — making it a powerful medicinal options for chronic stress and a great way to deal with ulcers and adrenal fatigue. 2. Improves Brain Function Ginseng stimulates brain cells and improves concentration and cognitive activities. Evidence shows that taking Panax ginseng root daily for 12 weeks can improve mental performance in people with Alzheimer’s disease. One study done at the Department of Neurology at the Clinical Research Institute in South Korea investigated the effectiveness of ginseng on the cognitive performance of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. After ginseng treatment, the participants showed improvements, and this upscale trend continued for three months. After discontinuing the treatment, the improvements declined to the levels of the control group. This suggests ginseng may work to improve Alzheimer’s symptoms and support cognitive health. Although more research on this topic is needed, one preliminary study found that a combination of American ginseng and ginkgo biloba may benefit patients with ADHD. The study involving children ages 6–12 with ADHD symptoms showed that using a combination of omega-3 supplements and Korean red ginseng improved ADHD symptoms and cognitive function in children, including attention, memory and executive function. 3. Has Anti-Inflammatory Properties An interesting study done in Korea measured the beneficial effects of Korean red ginseng on children after chemotherapy or stem cell transplantation for advanced cancer. The study included 19 patients who received 60 milligrams of Korean red ginseng daily for one year. Blood samples were collected every six months, and as a result of the treatment, the cytokines, or small proteins that are responsible for sending signals to the brain and regulating cell growth, decreased rapidly. It was a significant difference from the control group. This study suggests that Korean red ginseng has a stabilizing effect of the inflammatory cytokines in children with cancer after chemotherapy. A 2011 study published in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine done on rats also measured the impact that Korean red ginseng has on inflammatory cytokines. After giving rats 100 milligrams of Korean red ginseng extract for seven days, it proved to significantly reduce the extent of inflammation, and it improved the damage that was already done to the brain. Another animal study measured the herb’s anti-inflammatory effects. Korean red ginseng was tested for its anti-allergic properties on 40 mice with allergic rhinitis, a common upper airway inflammatory disease typically seen in children and adults. The most frequent symptoms include congestion, nasal itching and sneezing. At the end of the trial, the Korean red ginseng reduced the nasal allergic inflammatory reaction in the mice, showcasing the herb’s place among the best anti-inflammatory foods. 4. Helps with Weight Loss Another surprising ginseng benefit is its ability to work as a natural appetite suppressant. It also boosts your metabolism and helps the body burn fat at a faster rate. A study done at the Tang Center for Herbal Medicine Research in Chicago measured the anti-diabetic and anti-obesity effects of Panax ginseng berry in adult mice. The mice were injected with 150 milligrams of ginseng berry extract per kilogram of body weight for 12 days. By day five, the mice taking the extract had significantly lower fasting blood glucose levels. After day 12, the glucose tolerance in the mice increased, and overall blood glucose levels decreased by 53 percent. The treated mice showed weight loss, too, starting at 51 grams and ending the treatment at 45 grams. A similar study done in 2009 found that Panax ginseng plays a vital role in the anti-obesity effect in mice. This suggests the clinical importance of improving the management of obesity and related metabolic syndromes with this herb. 5. Treats Sexual Dysfunction Taking powdered Korean red ginseng seems to improve sexual dysfunction and erectile dysfunction in men. A 2008 systematic review included 28 randomized clinical studies that evaluated the effectiveness of red ginseng for treating erectile dysfunction. The review provided suggestive evidence for the use of the herb, but researchers believe that more rigorous studies are necessary in order to draw definitive conclusions. Of the 28 reviewed studies, six reported an improvement of erectile function when using red ginseng compared with placebo control. Four studies tested the effects of red ginseng for sexual function using questionnaires compared with placebo, and all trials reported positive effects. Research done in 2002 at the Department of Physiology at Southern Illinois University’s School of Medicine indicates that ginseng’s ginsenoside components facilitate penile erections by directly inducing the vasodilatation and relaxation of the erectile tissue. It’s the release of nitric oxide from endothelial cells and perivascular nerves that directly affects the erectile tissue. The university’s research also indicates that ginseng affects the central nervous system and significantly alters the activity in the brain that facilitates hormonal behavior and secretion. 6. Improves Lung Function Ginseng treatment has significantly decreased lung bacteria, and studies involving rats have shown that it can stop the growth of cystic fibrosis, a common lung infection. In one 1997 study, rats were given ginseng injections, and after two weeks, the treated group showed a significantly improved bacterial clearance from the lungs. Research also shows another ginseng benefit is its ability to treat a lung disease called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is characterized as chronically poor airflow that typically worsens over time. According to the research, taking Panax by mouth seems to improve lung function and some symptoms of COPD. 7. Lowers Blood Sugar Levels Several studies show that American ginseng lowers blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes, working to improve diabetes symptoms. One study done at the Human Cognitive Neuroscience Unit in the United Kingdom found that Panax causes a reduction in blood glucose levels one hour after the consumption of glucose, confirming that ginseng possesses glucoregulatory properties. One of the primary difficulties with type 2 diabetes is that the body is not responsive enough to insulin. Another study indicates that Korean red ginseng improves insulin sensitivity, further explaining the herb’s ability to help lower blood sugar levels and aid those struggling with type 2 diabetes. 8. May Help Fight Cancer Research has shown that ginseng possesses powerful anticancer properties because of its ability to inhibit tumor growth. Although more research is needed on this subject, reports conclude that the improvements in cell immunity involving T cells and NK cells (natural killer cells) — along with other mechanisms such as oxidative stress, apoptosis and angiogenesis — give this herb its anticancer properties. Scientific reviews state that ginseng mitigates cancer through anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and apoptotic mechanisms to influence gene expression and stop tumor growth. This shows thisherb may work as a natural cancer preventer. A number of studies have focused on ginseng’s particular effect on colorectal cancer as about one in 21 people in the U.S. will get colorectal cancer during his or her lifetime. Researchers treated human colorectal cancer cells with steamed ginseng berry extract and found the anti-proliferation effects were...

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Easy Lifestyle Habits for Healthy Immune Function

AHA Publisher — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 07:00:32 +0000

Dr. Don Colbert – Today, tomorrow, and forever, it’s imperative that you take care of your immune system. Believe it or not, you can use lifestyle habits for healthy immune function right where you are. There’s never been a better time to build these healthy habits into your daily life. These healthy habits are science-backed methods to support immune function. Here’s how you can use each one to lift your mood, your faith, and your immune system today. 8 Easy Lifestyle Habits for Your Immune System’s Health 1. LAUGH AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE Let’s start with a joyful habit. Laughter. Have you ever wondered why we laugh? Why did God give us this gift? It is an amazing health-promoting habit. The more you can build laughter into your daily life, the more you’ll reduce cortisol, improve your mood, and decrease depression. These, in turn, will encourage healthy immune function. Interestingly, multiple studies show that the benefits of smiling and laughter are experienced whether its real or fake. So, fake it if you need to, and get in a good belly laugh each day. 2. SLEEP AT LEAST 7 HOURS PER NIGHT Sleep is one of the strongest immune-boosters available to you. It can support your immune function through your lymph system and help your body restore itself each day. How is sleep one of the strongest lifestyle habits for healthy immune function? It allows your body and brain to recoup, restore, and fight disease. During sleep, your immune system releases cytokines which both promote sleep and fight disease. When you are awake, your body must do the work of being awake, moving, and maintaining an active brain. This takes most of its resources. When you are asleep, it can do maintenance on your body. What’s more, sleep deprivation is well-documented as a factor in decreased immunity and increased illness, decreasing immune cells in number and strength (1). One study of 1,654 participants aged 20-74 years looked at sleep and its effects on those with various illnesses. It followed these participants for 20 years (2). The results indicated that participants with existing high blood pressure or impaired blood sugars, who slept less than 6 hours per night, were 1.8 times likely to die of heart disease or stroke. 3. MAINTAIN HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS God has created us for relationships, and they are important for overall health and healthy immune function. Positive relationships can improve your mood and decrease stress. This, in turn, can promote a strong immune system (see more below). To maintain relationships even when you can’t always be with each other in-person: Invest in the relationships within your household and neighborhoods. Find new games to play, movies to watch, routes to walk, and other ways to make great memories together. Stay in touch with loved ones however you can. Use technology to video-call, send videos to friends, and keep in touch. Social media can be a negative addiction if left unchecked, but it can also be a great way to feel a sense of community if you’re away from loved ones. Maintain the relationships that are important to you. It’s good for your health and immune function! 4. LET GRATITUDE AND OPTIMISM PREVAIL It’s always the perfect time to allow gratitude and optimism to prevail. You can get your gratitude journal going again. You may have started one during the Thanksgiving and the Holiday Season last year. Or, this idea may be new to you. Gratitude journals, focusing on small daily blessings, are powerful. Being grateful is associated with better mental, emotional, and physical health and immunity. To start a gratitude journal, first simply get a pen and a paper, or a journal. Next, write 5-10 “gratitudes” per day. They can be big or small things. You can write them throughout the day, or at the beginning or end. Just choose to focus on simple gratitudes each day as one of your lifestyle habits to support healthy immune function and more. 5. EXERCISE EVERY DAY Right now, you might feel like you don’t have many options for exercise. But actually, you have 2 great options: exercise in your home OR outside. In fact, if you look online for free yoga, aerobic, or other classes, you’ll likely find some great ones. Some gyms and studios are offering online class streams. Or, get outside! Whether it’s just a short walk or a ride on a bike, God has given us a huge gift in the mood-elevating outdoors. Not only is any activity good for our muscles, hearts, and brains, outdoor-activity specifically has been shown to improve mood and depression (3). What’s more, if the sun is shining, your body will make Vitamin D, an immune-stimulated vitamin. And there’s even more good news: When you exercise, a group of immune cells called myokines are produced and released by the skeletal muscles. These promote immune function and whole-body health benefits (4). 6. PRAY CONTINUALLY Prayer is not a last-ditch effort for health and immune function, but a foundation for your relationship with God, your mental health, physical health, and entire well-being. In fact, prayer releases control from you and gives it to God. It helps change your heart towards any stressful situation, even if the situation itself doesn’t change. And lastly, it allows you to focus on truth. God’s truth is that He is with you in any circumstance. That nothing is too big. And, that He will walk with you through it. The act of prayer has shown to increase certain helpful neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, which help promote a state of relaxation, focus, motivation, and well-being. God has given us prayer as an amazing cortisol-releasing activity that brings us closer to Him while improving our health. As stress goes down, the efficacy of the immune system increases. 7. ENGAGE IN STRESS-RELEASE ACTIVITIES DAILY All of the above activities, from exercise to laughing to sleep, are stress-releasing activities. They all reduce cortisol, and this has a direct impact on your immune system. They are all stress-reducing, lifestyle habits for a strong immune system. But, you may know of some others to work great to reduce your own stress. What are they? Reading? Talking on the phone to a loved one? If needed, think of 1-3 more activities you can do each day to decrease stress and cortisol. As you do, you’ll promote immune health. High blood cortisol levels are correlated with increased blood pressure, poor immunity, negative moods, reduced sleep and energy, memory issues, and an increased incidence of diabetes and heart disease (5). Stress-reducing activities can help! 8. DETOX FROM UNHEALTHY EATING AND FLOOD YOUR BODY WITH NUTRIENTS SEVERAL TIMES PER YEAR Your body is constantly bombarded with unhealthy compounds, toxins, and chemicals. Every day. Every hour. Some of these are ingested, some are inhaled, and others are byproducts of your body’s processes. What can you do? You can detox, fast, and cleanse your body from foods that harm it, and flood your body with nutrients that promote healthy immune, liver, digestive, lymph, and kidney function. Interested? Learn more and sign up for Dr. Colbert’s 21 Day Detox and Fast today! Bottom Line You can use easy strategies to support your immune function and whole-body health. Get started now: laugh, sleep, maintain relationships, pray, reduce stress, exercise, and detox. Support your immune system in every way you can. Learn more about Dr. Colbert’s 21 Day Detox and Fast today. To read the original article click here. For more articles from Dr. Colbert click here.

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