{"id":430663,"date":"2018-03-16T17:18:27","date_gmt":"2018-03-16T17:18:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/essaypaper.org\/everything-you-need-to-know-about-adaptogens\/"},"modified":"2018-10-24T08:55:45","modified_gmt":"2018-10-24T08:55:45","slug":"everything-you-need-to-know-about-adaptogens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/everything-you-need-to-know-about-adaptogens\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything You Need to Know About Adaptogens"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Meta: What are adaptogens and how can they help your body? How can you be sure you\u2019re getting adaptogens in your diet? In this post, we break down everything you need to know.<\/strong><\/p>\n

H1: Everything You Need to Know About Adaptogens \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Have you ever heard of \u201cadaptogens\u201d? They sound like something out of a science fiction movie, right?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Something like, \u201cOur defenses are crumbling! We need to release the adaptogens!\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

But they\u2019re very real, and they can do wonders for your body.<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re not sure what adaptogens are, where you can find them, how you should use them, when you should consume them, and more, then you\u2019re in luck.<\/strong><\/p>\n

We\u2019re about to teach you everything you need to know.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Adaptogens: The Basics<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Adaptogens are natural, non-toxic healers.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In fact, it\u2019s quite possible you\u2019ve been consuming adaptogens your entire life without knowing it, unwittingly reaping adaptogenic benefits.<\/strong><\/p>\n

We\u2019ll stop here for a minute, because we know what you\u2019re thinking. Adaptogens aren\u2019t the newest, hottest wellness trend that\u2019s come to stake its claim over beet juice smoothies, rose water, and quinoa.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Adaptogens are more than a trend. They\u2019ve been a part of medicine for centuries.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Simply put, they can be described as natural substances that work with a person\u2019s body to help them adapt (hence the term \u201cadapt\u201dogen) to the various challenges of life. Most notably, they\u2019re said to help your body regulate homeostasis and return to its natural balance, especially when it comes to stress.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Adaptogens: The Nuts and Bolts<\/strong><\/p>\n

Our bodies have a built-in fight-or-flight system that is triggered in response to stress. This system is incredibly useful in emergencies or when we\u2019re threatened and need to take immediate action.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cortisol is released, which then triggers the adrenal glands and sympathetic nervous system. Blood pressure is increased and your digestive secretions are restricted. Essentially, your body readies itself to either run or to stand and fight.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Unfortunately, we increasingly live in high-stress environments in which we encounter stressful situations multiple times per day. The meeting with the boss. Driving through heavy traffic. Dealing with irate customers. Caring for a screaming baby.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Each of these stressors triggers our fight-or-flight response, releasing a flood of cortisol through the body. Our bodies weren\u2019t designed to handle so much cortisol, and it can lead to the adrenal glands failing, stress on the digestive tract, and rapid aging.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cortisol levels and stress are only meant to exist in your body in short bursts \u00a0\u2014 as a hormonal response designed to protect you in survival situations. Adaptogenic compounds (whether in food or in herbs) help mitigate the body\u2019s stress response and get your adrenal system back into balance while overcoming adrenal fatigue. These compounds keep your body at a balanced level.<\/strong><\/p>\n

A natural ally to your body, adaptogens can help your body deal with persistent stress and fatigue, and help get you back to proper, functioning order. They work with your body to help regulate hormones and adjust your cortisol levels over long periods of time to help regulate chronic stress.<\/strong><\/p>\n

You can think of them like a thermostat for your body. When your stress \u201ctemperature\u201d begins to rise, adaptogens can support your body as it comes back to its normal levels. They can help keep stress hormones from running rampant throughout your body. \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

For example,\u00a0studies of Panax ginseng, a well-known adaptogen, have suggested that it can be significantly helpful in reducing the body\u2019s overall response to stress. The same goes for numerous other adaptogens.<\/strong><\/p>\n

But that\u2019s not all. Adaptogens also may boost your immune system, help you manage a healthy weight, increase your physical endurance and your mental focus, reduce discomfort, reduce cortisol levels (which contribute to stress), and encourage a balanced mood.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Adaptogens: Sources<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Adaptogens are a unique class of plants that can have particular healing abilities. They may be able to help balance, protect, restore your body, and normalize psychological functions.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The list of helpful, healing adaptogens is long \u2013 so long we can\u2019t possibly include all of them in this article. But, we\u2019ll list out of a few helpful adaptogens you can utilize in your daily routine.<\/p>\n

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In fact, you might already use some of these without knowing how much you\u2019re helping your mind, body, restoration, and balance.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Some of the most popular adaptogenic herbs are things you\u2019ve probably heard of, such as:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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