Ashwagandha Bodybuilding - The Secret Gym Enhancing Supplement
With its ability to increase stamina, boost energy, and improve physical performance, Ashwagandha is one of the most popular natural supplements for bodybuilders and athletes. Its benefits are not limited to those looking to build muscle mass, however. It has hundreds of health benefits and is used for improving general well-being and mental clarity. Even so, many people are wary of its use for this purpose.
That’s understandable, especially given the abundance of bodybuilding supplements on the market that is often misleading and ineffective. That’s why we’ll take a close look at the benefits of using Ashwagandha for bodybuilding and what type of supplement works best.
Ashwagandha for Bodybuilding: What’s the Evidence?
The benefits of Ashwagandha are backed by scientific research. Studies show that this supplement can increase physical performance, decrease inflammation, and improve immunity, among many other things. Ashwagandha is also one of the most effective natural remedies for anxiety, and depression as part of chronic stress treatment by reducing cortisol levels. All told, there are hundreds of published human research studies on this herb’s health benefits.
Ashwagandha root extract, or Indian ginseng, can be key for a bodybuilder's routine by increasing testosterone levels and improving brain function to help support muscle building and better reaction time.
Testosterone Levels
Cortisol is a hormone that has an inverse relationship with testosterone. This means, the more cortisol you have in your body and blood, the less testosterone. Ashwagandha support increased production of testosterone which helps with muscle mass and strength in weight training or other workout programs.
The Ashwagandha plant has a significant impact on testosterone levels in the body.
Ashwagandha has long been used to boost sexual performance, libido, and sperm vitality. It's also known for its ability to increase fertility in both men and women. Ashwagandha lowers cortisol levels, which shifts hormone production to anabolic hormones (testosterone, DHEA).
Ashwagandha for Brain Function
One of the most powerful benefits of Ashwagandha is its ability to increase stamina and reduce stress levels.Both factors are key when it comes to an athlete’s performance.
When we’re stressed, our bodies release cortisol, which has a negative effect on the body and brain. By increasing your endurance and reducing stress levels, Ashwagandha enables your body to perform at peak levels without the adverse effects that come with high levels of stress.
The result? Improved muscle mass, strength, endurance, and performance. But Ashwagandha's benefits doesn’t end there. It also helps with brain function. Studies show that it can help with mental clarity as well as maintain a healthy mood for those feeling depressed or anxious. With this supplement in your system, you can perform at your best in all aspects of life.
VO2 Max + Muscle Growth
Ashwagandha has been shown in studies to improve athletic performance and may be a worthwhile supplement for athletes.
Ashwagandha may also help to increase muscle mass and strength. In an 8-week trial, men given 500 mg of this medicinal herb every day enhanced their muscle endurance by 1%, whereas the placebo group observed no change.
VO2 max is the maximum amount of oxygen your body can consume during strenuous exercise. It's a test to see how healthy your heart and lungs are.
Ashwagandha may also boost hemoglobin levels, which are red blood cells that transport oxygen throughout the body. Increasing this function results in improved oxygen transfer and overall well-being. VO2 levels are critical for improving physical performance.
Strength and Endurance
Ashwagandha has been shown to improve muscle strength and endurance. This is due to its ability to stimulate the production of testosterone, a hormone responsible for muscle growth.
In addition to increasing strength, Ashwagandha also helps with improving physical performance. Studies have shown that recurrent usage of Ashwagandha can increase the number of exercises an individual can do without getting exhausted.
One study found that participants who took 350 mg per day of a full-spectrum Ashwagandha extract had fewer negative effects from intense exercise than those who did not take the supplement. It’s important to note that this study was done over just three months, so keep in mind the findings may not be long term.
The ideal duration for such a study would be six months or more, which is why it’s important for anyone considering taking Ashwagandha for bodybuilding purposes to stick to a consistent routine.
Recovery
The human body is capable of its own natural process of recovering from fatigue, stress, and other muscle-weakening factors. The natural recovery mechanism that occurs in the body is known as "reparation."
Reparation involves the rebuilding of wasted connective tissue, depleted energy reserves, muscle damage, and other factors that impede the body's ability to perform at its peak once again. Reason being? The human body is always in a state of flux, and if we are constantly exposed to stressors and challenges, sooner or later, we will be affected by them.
You can support your body in recovery and muscle growth by adding a simple supplement to your diet: Ashwagandha root.
Cortisol is a catabolic hormone. This means it reduces the amount of energy that can be stored in your muscles, and it also slows down how quickly you re-build muscle tissue after a workout. The higher your cortisol levels are, the less likely you will come back to an anabolic state where there would be more growth happening.
Ashwagandha supplements support recovery by taking your body out of the fight-or-flight function high cortisol levels cause.
Overall Well-Being
Ashwagandha could be the key to supercharging your results at the gym. This herb has been connected to increased muscle mass, the ability to lose fat and improved muscle recovery to prevent orthopedic injury.
If you're looking to pass a workout plateau and improve recovery and performance, try adding Ashwagandha into your routine. Ashwagandha has many benefits, but the most common reason people use it is for its ability to promote overall well-being.
In addition to boosting energy, stamina, and physical performance, Ashwagandha can also improve both mental and physical health.
Ashwagandha is a natural stress reliever and can be used to reduce anxiety and depression. It helps with insomnia and improves brain function, which makes it easier for you to focus on your workout routine.
Final Thoughts
Bodybuilding requires a lot of hard work, dedication, and discipline. So, naturally, many bodybuilders are looking for a supplement to help them get the most out of their workout and see better results.
Ashwagandha is one of the most popular natural supplements for bodybuilders and athletes alike because it helps increase stamina, boost energy, and improve physical performance.
