• Prepares the body for increased effort
• Helps restore the body’s homeostasis
• Increases the resistance to stressors
• Supports intellectual functions
• Eliminates symptoms of depression
• Improves motivation for learning
• Helps reduce a feeling of fatigue
• Shows neuro- and cardioprotective properties

Now Foods Rhodiola is a dietary supplement with an extract from rhodiola – one of the most promising plants with adaptogenic properties. The formula helps increase the body’s adaptogenic capacity for stressful conditions and shows immunostimulant, antidepressant, cardioprotective and procognitive properties.

One capsule contains 500 mg of high-quality extract from Rhodiola rosea, standardised to contain 3% rosavins and 1% salidroside – bioactive substances responsible for a protective effect of this plant.

Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea L.) – also known commonly as “golden root” or “Arctic root”, a adaptogenic plant native mainly to North America, Europe and Asia. It has been demonstrated that the plant has a stimulating effect on the central nervous system, thereby helping reduce a feeling of fatigue and having sedative and anti-stress properties. It is also alleged to have a cardioprotective, antioxidant and anti-cancer effect.

Characteristic bioactive compounds found in rhodiola are, among others, flavonoids (rhodiolin, rhodionin, rodiosin), phenolic acids, phenylpropanoids (rosavin, rosin and rosarin) and monoterpenes (rosiridin and rosiridol).

Adaptogen is a name for substances which help adapt the body to adverse environmental conditions (e.g. pollution, too high or too low temperature, noise, viruses and stress). As is known, stress and other environmental factors are one of the primary causes of most diseases.

However, in order for a substance to be called an adaptogen, it must fulfill certain criteria. Among others, it must have a nonspecific, normalising effect on the body and does not affect its normal functioning. In other words, using adaptogens should bring the body only benefits which results mainly in increasing the resistance to different factors. The name “adaptogen” was used for the first time in 1947 by N. Lazarev – a Russian pharmacologist.

Adaptogenic properties of rhodiola are associated mainly with its impact on the function of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis as well as on the adrenergic sympathetic nervous system. The biggest role is played by phenylpropanoids – in particular rosavin, but also phenolic compounds (p-thyrosol and salidroside). The extract from Rhodiola rosea influences positively a non-specific response to stress, among others, by increasing levels of serotonin and beta-endorphins and decreasing the release of opioid peptides.

The protection against sudden release of catecholamines and opioids in response to stress may protect the nervous and cardiovascular system from damage. In addition, rhodiola extract may contribute to a decrease in the secretion of CRF (corticotropin-releasing factor) which is released under stress. This protects also cerebral and cardiac tissue in stressful situations.

The protection of the heart from cardiovascular risk factors is on the only property of this plants that accounts for its cardioprotective effect. Rhodiola contributes also to an increase in energy reserves in the cardiac muscle and activation of μ-opioid receptors, which may also prevent cardiac arrhythmia. In addition, it is also believed to optimise blood pressure.

A potential mechanism of antidepressant action of rhodiola is associated with, among others, the inhibition of monoamine oxidase A, modulation of monoamine transmission and improvement in serotonergic transmission (by boosting the transfer of the precursor serotonin, tryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptophan to cerebral tissue). Taking Rhodiola rosea extracts helps relieve symptoms of depression. In addition, it contributes to a regression of fatigue symptoms, irritability and general weakness of the body. At the same time, it influences positively the body’s intellectual performance, mood and physical performance.

To sum up, Now Foods Rhodiola is a natural and safe dietary supplement which aids in maintaining normal physical and mental health of the body, especially during increased exposure to stress.

It is recommended primarily to improve the body’s adaptation to increased effort, both physical and mental one. It will work perfectly in the case of exhaustion, chronic fatigue, impaired concentration, bad mood and libido which are caused by chronic or frequent exposure to stressors.