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Supplement Godfather

Don Gauvreau MSc, CSCS
Don Gauvreau, A.K.A. The Supplement Godfather, is one of the leading researchers and product formulators in the sports supplement industry.
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Rhodiola Rosea - New superfood

Rhodiola rosea—Russia’s Golden Root!
Rhodiola rosea, also known as roseroot or golden root, has a long history of use as a valuable medicinal plant. As early as the 19th century, Rhodiola was used in France as a brain tonic. In more recent times, extensive studies on the stress-protective properties of Rhodiola extracts have been conducted. The root is now part of official medicine in Russia and other countries of the former USSR. Sweden, one of the most advanced botanical medicine countries in the world, has recognized Rhodiola as an adaptogen and botanical medicine since 1985. In fact, it’s an officially registered herbal medicine and is cited as one of the most commonly used stress-protective agents in the Swedish Drug & Therapy handbook.

The Stress-Protecting Adaptogen
Rhodiola rosea has been categorized as an adaptogen by Russian researchers because of its observed ability to increase the power of resistance to multiple stressors, including physical, chemical, and biological. The adaptogenic properties and central nervous system (CNS) properties of Rhodiola have been attributed mainly to its ability to positively influence the levels and activity of monoamine neurotransmitters and opioid peptides such as endorphins.

Rhodiola Overcomes Stress-Related Ailments
Stress-related ailments and fatigue are a widespread problem in the Western world. Psychological stress can cause long-term exhaustion and result in a mental and physical condition often referred to as burnout syndrome. This condition represents a state of various unwanted symptoms that can include continuous physical weakness, a depressed mood, lack of drive, poor concentration, difficulty sleeping, and general physical and mental fatigue. Several studies show that Rhodiola can counteract the symptoms associated with burnout syndrome.

Rhodiola Reduces Cortisol & Supports Muscle Growth!
In addition to its incredible stress-protective benefits, Rhodiola has also been studied for its mental and physical performance benefits and for its positive influence on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and stress-related hormones such as cortisol.

Cortisol is a well-known stress hormone, and elevated levels are known to negatively impact muscle growth and testosterone secretion. Studies show that Rhodiola supplementation can influence the HPA axis and help reduce cortisol, especially during times of stress and physical exertion. This is great news for anyone looking to build or maintain muscle mass, since excessive and prolonged cortisol secretion can cause muscle breakdown and hyperglycemia and even reduce function of the immune system. Studies on Rhodiola show that just a single dose can significantly reduce the cortisol response to various stressors (including strenuous exercise). A reduction in cortisol secretion can help improve focus and physical performance and also support muscle growth by influencing optimal hormonal profiles in the body. Less cortisol means a reduction in muscle breakdown and an increase in testosterone and growth!