Study: Ashwagandha helps with stress -related weight gain

Reference

choudhary d, Bhattacharyya S, Joshi K. Body weight management in adults under chronic stress by treatment with Ashwagandha root extract: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. J evidence -based complementary alternative med. April 6, 2016. PII: 2156587216641830. [Epub Ahead of Print]

Design

The goal of this 8-week double-blind, randomized, randomized, placebo-controlled study was the evaluation of the security and effectiveness of a standardized Ashwagandha extract for weight control and improvement in general well-being in adults with chronic stress. At the beginning of the course and at the end of 4 weeks and 8 weeks, the people were examined for the primary result parameters listed below.

participant

People from several outpatient clinics in Pune, India, were selected to tackle stress and overweight. Inclusion criteria were chronic/everyday work stress, a perceived stress scale (PSS) of 20 or more, an age between 18 and 60 years and a body mass index between 25 and 39.9 kg/m2. Exclusion criteria were eating disorders; Participation in a weight loss program in the past 3 months; and endocrine or genetic state that predisposed to weight gain; a neurological disorder; every unstable medical state; Well-known allergies/side effects on Ashwagandha root extract; Pregnancy or breastfeeding; Medicines that influence the weight; Participation in another clinical study in the past 3 months; History of alcohol abuse or smoking; And unstable hepatic, renals, cardiovascular or respiratory diseases.

The majority of the people in both groups were employed (72 % Ashwagandha; 68 % placebo). The others were identified either as students or housewives. All people had chronic stress symptoms, and the majority had difficulty concentration and insomnia. About 44 % of the Ashwagandha Group and 52 % of the placebo group had problems with fear and unrest. Other significant symptoms were physical exhaustion, mental exhaustion and headache.

A total of 38 men and 14 women were included in the study and randomized one of the two groups. One from each group was not compliant with the protocol. Data for the remaining 50 were then evaluated.

Intervention

The people received either a standardized extract from Ashwagandha root extract (300 mg, with 5 % withahanolids) or a placebo twice a day.

Primary result measurements

The primary result measurements were the PSS and the Food Cravings Questionnaire-Trait (FCQ-T). The secondary result measurements included the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire (OHQ), the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ), the cortisol level in serum, the initial and final body weight and BMI. The PSS, a measure of psychological stress, is a 14-point scale that determines the general stress experienced in the previous month. The values ​​range from 0 to 56, with higher values ​​for higher stress. The PSS evaluates physical and psychological symptoms of depression, the need for health services, social fear and life event values ​​that correlate. The FCQ-T is a 39-point questionnaire with self-disclosure that is used to measure cravings in 9 areas. The QHQ consists of 29 questions that measure happiness, well -being and optimism. The cortisol level in the serum is an indicator of stress and is also associated with the appetite. In this study, Cortisol is a measure of the anti-stress effect of Ashwagandha for people who are under chronic stress. The TFEQ questionnaire is used to determine the eating behavior and to evaluate cognitive reluctance, uncontrolled food and emotional food.

important knowledge

The middle PSS score decreased both in the treatment and the placebo group, but the treatment group experienced a significantly stronger reduction in the PSS scores than the placebo group in week 4 and even more in the middle FCQ "planning value" was lower in both groups, but was significantly lower in the treatment group at the end of the 4th and 8th week Placebistra. The FCQ score of the "positive reinforcement" in week 8 was significantly lower in the treatment group than that of the placebo group. The middle FCQ scores of the "negative reinforcement" of the treatment group showed no significant difference compared to placebo in week 4 or 8. Finally, the middle FCQ wounds showed a significant reduction compared to the initial value and compared to placebo due to a lack of control, emotion, and the environment, although the thoughts about food, physiological and guilt components have no significant differences in comparison to placebo showed.

of the secondary results are serum cortisol and weight loss from the perspective of a clinician. The middle cortisol levels in the serum, which were the same in both groups at the beginning of the course, were significantly reduced in the treatment group in week 4 (16.05 %) and week 8 (22.2 %). After 8 weeks, the Ashwagandha group had a stronger reduction in body weight compared to the placebo group (3.03 % compared to 1.46 %).

Comment

briefly summarized ashwagandha after 8 weeks more effective than placebo in reducing PSS, several aspects of cravings (but not thoughts about food or guilt) and uncontrolled and emotional food (but not cognitive reluctance). A reduction in body weight, the BMI and the serum cortisol was also observed in these stressed people, the Ashwagandha standardized to 5 % withhanolides and 300 mg twice a day for 8 weeks. Earlier research and decades of observations by users and prescribers of Ashwagandha emphatically support his therapeutic influence against stress and anxiety. The results of the current study underline these reports and observations and continue the evaluation a few steps, with the additional characteristic of weight loss in people who live with chronic stress. From this study, we can expand our previous knowledge of Ashwagandha and confirm its ability to reduce psychological and physiological stress markers, to improve well -being, reduce serum cortisol, reduce the desire for food, improve eating behavior and to promote weight control men and women under chronic stress. Long -term studies would provide further knowledge.