Ashwagandha: Here Comes Holiday Health Recovery!

Who doesn't love the holidays? Most do for many reasons; however, they can be very stressful. Between traffic, traveling, shopping, increased spending, and probably the biggest culprit of all, bad eating habits, one’s body, mind and spirit are collectively crying out for a break and some relief as the new year arrives. Countless individuals want to get back in the gym and lose some weight, or go on a detox cleanse or fast to purge. Trying to get back into health can be overwhelming and many times can put more stress on the body.

What if there were products available that could help manage stress and also assist with weight loss? Well, there are! There is a whole category of herbs called adaptogens that do this very thing. These herbs help to balance the levels of cortisol (the hormone responsible for stress) in the body.

When one is under stress, sadly, cortisol levels can become high and unbalanced, often peaking at night rather than in the morning. This causes sleepless nights and diminished energy levels during the day—resulting in fatigue. Cortisol also plays a significant role in weight loss due to its correlation with insulin, blood sugar levels, and hormones. Balancing cortisol levels is so very important in the fight against stress and weight gain.

A favorite herb to many is ashwagandha. It is an adaptogen herb with many health benefits. It not only helps to balance cortisol levels but also aids in balancing blood sugar levels and reversing insulin resistance. According to research studies, ashwagandha can decrease cortisol levels by as much as 28%.

Low-functioning thyroid conditions may cause many individuals to struggle to lose weight. Ashwagandha can be of benefit in many of these cases, as it has the ability to stimulate the thyroid, which activates thyroid hormones. By doing this, stress levels are often greatly reduced and weight-loss efforts are much more successful and effective.

The new year is here. And for many, it brings with it a renewed sense of hope, determination and expectancy. It’s time to get back on track and on the road to better health and wellness … naturally!

 

Two Garner’s Natural Life locations serving the Midlands: 4840 Forest Dr., Ste. 15-A, Columbia, and 5166 Sunset Blvd., Ste. C, Lexington. For more information, call Garner’s at 803-454-7700 or visit GarnersNaturalLife.com. See ad, back page.

Note: Alternative adaptogen herbs recommended to balance cortisol levels and help with stress are Rhodiola and holy basil. In addition, Stress Decompress is a natural product with a wonderful blend of adaptogenic herbs and medicinal mushrooms to help decrease stress levels.