• Ashwagandha extract standardised to as much as 9%
• Powerful adaptogen reducing negative consequences of stress
• Promotes neuron growth and protects nervous system
• Vegan capsules free of GMO, gluten, soy and lactose
• Increases immune system action
• Beneficial for mood and well-being
• Helps to maintain homeostasis
• Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect
• Reduces cortisol levels
• Boosts energy levels

ALINESS Natural Ashwagandha 9% is a supplement containing a standarised Withania somnifera extract. Withanolides, alkaloids and withaferin A contained in the plant display great biological activity: they have adaptogenic, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties. Every capsule contains as much as 600 mg of the ashwagandha extract.

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) – also known as Indian ginseng, a bush growing to the height of up to 150 cm, found mainly in India but also present in Iran, Pakistan, and Africa. The plant has yellow-and-green flowers and dark orange fruit which, along with the root, are used the most frequently for medicinal purposes. The plant has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years as a vitality-enhancing and stress resistance-increasing agent.

The biological activity of ashwagandha stems from the content of the following substances: withanolides, alkaloids, glycowithanolides, phytosterols, and the best-tested withaferin A. This supplement is a Withania somnifera extract in the ratio of 4:1, standardised to the content of 8% withanolides, 1% alkaloids, and 0.5% withaferin A.

Stress reduction
The modern lifestyle, pursuit of career, working at night, and highly processed foods are all stress factors whose effects on the organism and significance have highly increased in recent years. Long-lasting and chronic or frequent stress, regardless of its origin, has negative effects on the body, as it triggers defence mechanisms. The organism responds with a burst of corticosteroids and neurotransmitters that prepare it for fighting danger. As an adaptogen, ashwagandha reduces the negative consequences of stress in the organism and helps it to adapt to stressful conditions. Glycosides contained in the plant reduce the production of the main hormone in reactions to stress, cortisol, by stimulating GABAergic receptors in the hypothalamus. Gamma aminobutyric acid is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, and stimulating its receptors hinders the transmission of action potentials and information in the nervous system.

The plant also has the ability to sensitise serotonin receptors (5-HT), facilitating the binding of serotonin with its receptors, and improves the mood without affecting serotonin levels. Moreover, ashwagandha reduces the activity of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and the action of glutamate, which are responsible for excessive stimulation during a stress response.

Support for the protective barrier
Chronic inflammation or excessive oxidative stress in the organism can lead to the development of such diseases as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, or autoimmune diseases. Ashwagandha stimulates the immune system, increasing the levels of natural killer cells and T lymphocytes as well as promoting the proliferation of macrophages and increasing their activity. What is more, withanolides contained in the plant have an antioxidant effect, which means that they protect the organism from the negative action of free oxygen radicals.

Ashwagandha also exhibits protective properties in the central nervous system (CNS), where it affects serotonin receptors 5-HT₂ and, consequently, reduces the level of nNOS, which prevents excess corticosterone levels. Corticosterone has similar properties to cortisol, and its high amounts in the CNS can contribute to memory deterioration. A reduction in glutamate levels, which was mentioned before, prevents excessive stimulation of nerve cells, which can have an excitotoxic effect and damage or destroy neurons.

Neurogenesis promotion
Neurogenesis is the process of new nerve cell formation. More connections between neurons improve communication between them and have a positive effect on cognitive functions. Ashwagandha stimulates the formation of dendrites, which receive the information coming from the endings of other neurons, which enhances communication in the brain. Moreover, the plant supports the proliferation of astrocytes, which participate in the formation of the blood-brain barrier, improve communication between neurons, and nourish nerve cells.

The plant increases the level of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which promotes the growth and differentiation of neurons and synapses. The greatest activity of the factor can be observed in the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for the storage of memory traces. What is more, ashwagandha reduces and inhibits neurodegenerative lesions and can prove helpful in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

To sum up, ALINESS Natural Ashwagandha 9% is a highly-standardised extract containing a large amount of the most active substances contained in the plant Withania somnifera. The plant is a powerful adaptogen: it helps the organism to adapt to stressful conditions and eliminates the negative effects of stress on the body, such as the deterioration of cognitive functions. Ashwagandha supports the functioning of the immune system as well as exerts antioxidant and neuroprotective effects on the CNS. It is recommended particularly for people who suffer from chronic stress or excessive response of the organism to stress factors.