Used for centuries
in Eastern Europe and Asia, adaptogens are the Kingly
Herbs. In
recent times there have been numerous reports on the chemistry, biochemistry,
and physiological,
especially metabolic, effects of these herbs and their biologically active
ingredients
which are glycosides. Unfortunately, most of the vast literature is in
Russian, Chinese,
or German and hence not readily available to the scientific community.
It has only been in the last decade that adaptogens have been readily available
in the
United States. And it has only been in the last few years that adaptogens have
begun to
gain the attention they deserve. Standing completely outside the accepted categories
of
essential nutrition - vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, and proteins - adaptogens
provide
unique functions in the body.
In a 1983
study, Professor Norman Farnsworth of the University of Illinois confirmed
international
clinical research that showed Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian
Ginseng)
helped glucose cross the cell barriers (membranes) to be more easily
absorbed.
As a result, the sugar levels in the blood returned to normal more quickly.
The
result of this more efficient cellular activity is that after taking adaptogens
there is
more energy available to carry out difficult tasks. The body can perform
better with less
fatigue.
Adaptogens have also been used successfully to help heal ulcers, currently a topic of
considerable
interest to every trainer, owner or rider of a performance horse. In
particular,
Schizandra chinensis (Chinese Magnolia Vine) is believed to help suppress
excessive
stomach acid. It is also valuable for its ability to improve recovery from
fatigue
and exhaustive physical work, and to increase the quantitative and qualitative
ability
for performing physical work. In a published study done in 1989 entitled,
"Studies
on the Effect of Schizandra chinensis Extract on Horses Submitted to
Exercise and
Maximum Effort", Schizandra chinensis was shown to "augment the
utilization of oxygen
and improve the gaseous exchange in the lungs and cells. This in turn
would result in
a better recovery of the respiratory frequency after an intense physical
effort."
Rhodiola rosea
(Golden Root) has been shown to increase the utilization of
lipids (fats) as
an energy source, another area of great interest in performance horses of all
types, especially
endurance. Finally Echinopanax elatus (Asian Devil's Club) has been shown
to
have a beneficial effect on both blood sugar and cardiac function.
Intelligent conditioning and training
are the foundations to a winning performance. But
success often lies in the details. Details such as making the right choice
in supplements.
If you've been looking for a different answer...you need...
|
