Adaptogens For Weight Loss

But what if there were natural compounds that could help give our body the boost it needs to get the weight off for good? Well, there might just be and they are known as adaptogens. Let’s explore the benefits of adaptogens for weight loss and how to use them effectively.

Adaptogens are compounds found in plants and some fungi, such as Cordyceps, that are believed to help your body increase resilience to physical, biological, and chemical stressors.

When our body experiences high levels of chronic stress, it can increase hormones, such as cortisol, that elevate the likelihood of weight gain.

By being able to help your body mitigate the stress response and bring you back to a balanced state, adaptogens may be helpful for those on a weight loss journey.

Additionally, many adaptogens are believed to help reduce inflammation, improve metabolism, and potentially moderate appetite.

Adaptogens are available in many different forms however, those looking to use adaptogens for weight loss may consider grabbing a green powder. Green powders are supplements that can help to increase nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, by including a mixture of various greens and other beneficial herbs.

Although all green powders are different, the goal of most is to help fill in nutritional gaps, specifically for those who struggle with getting adequate fruits and vegetables in their diet through whole foods alone.

When it comes to losing weight and getting healthier, it’s important to look at the whole picture.

Green powders that include adaptogens can help those who wish to take a holistic approach to weight loss. Diet and exercise are essential components in any weight loss journey however, they aren’t the only factors that play a role.

Sleep and stress are other important components of a healthy lifestyle that need to be considered when losing weight. Sleep deprivation can cause chronic stress along with outside factors such as a busy work schedule or family trouble.

All of these factors can increase cortisol levels which can make losing weight challenging. Green powders with adaptogens can help with refueling your body with adequate nutrients to better manage life’s stressors and allow your body to let go of the weight naturally.

Understanding Adaptogens

Adaptogens have been used for hundreds of years, dating back to ancient times. However, they weren’t called adaptogens then.

The term “adaptogen” was first introduced in the 1940s by Soviet scientists Lazarev and Brekhman. It was coined during the introduction of herbal medicine products used for medical treatments in the State Pharmacopoeia of the Union of Soviet Socialists Republics (USSR). (Source)

Adaptogens refer to the function of a certain compound found in these products versus the chemicals in them. They can be found in plants and fungi as well as synthetic supplements that help the body adapt to stressful situations.

The original definition of adaptogens provides 3 requirements to be placed in this category: the adaptogen must be non-specific and help the body resist a wide range of conditions including physical, chemical, and biological stress, they must maintain homeostasis in the body by countering the physical impact of stress, and they must not cause harm to the body’s normal functions. (Source)  

Following its original definition, the requirements for adaptogens have changed a few different times. In the late 1990s, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) defined adaptogens as a new kind of metabolic regulator that has been proven to help in environmental adaptation and prevent external harm. (Source) 

Although there are many different compounds considered to have adaptogenic properties, including synthetic products, the most widely studied plant adaptogens include panax ginseng, acanthopanax senticosus, rhodiola crenulata, schisandra chinensis. Each of these plant compounds provides its own unique benefits however, the main functions of them are the same.

Adaptogens work to improve body functions by increasing the body’s state of nonspecific resistance to stress and decreasing its sensitivity to certain stressors. This helps to provide the body with protection against the damage of chronic stress. (Source)

Stress can have many negative implications on the body. Although it is a necessary and normal response that everyone experiences, chronically elevated stress levels can wreak havoc on human health.

Symptoms and conditions of chronic stress include weight gain, increased blood pressure, challenges with digestion, skin conditions, sleep disruption, infertility, decreased immune function, and mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression. (Source) 

Green Powder Supplements

Our diet and lifestyle habits play a key role in our body’s reaction to stress. While a diet rich in whole foods such as fruits and vegetables is heavily encouraged, it’s not always feasible. Taking a green powder supplement can help to fill in any nutritional gaps to provide the nutrients needed for better overall health.

The composition of green powder supplements will vary based on brand; however, most include a wide range of superfoods that provide a good source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that may be lacking from diet alone.

The additional nutrients in green powders can help to boost energy levels, improve immunity, reduce inflammation, and treat or prevent deficiencies. Most of this is attributed to the vitamin and mineral content in these products; however, further benefits may be provided by those that contain additional ingredients, such as adaptogens.

Common ingredients found in many green powders include superfoods such as spirulina, chlorella, barley grass, ashwagandha, rhodiola, ginseng, and certain adaptogenic mushrooms.

Green powders are a great compliment to adaptogens as they provide additional nutrients needed to further support resistance to stress. Although adaptogens help the body with its response to stress, it works best when the body is adequately nourished.

Additionally, many green powders include ingredients that provide a hearty dose of antioxidants. These are compounds found in plants that help to protect the body against cell-damaging free radicals. These compounds can help provide further protection to the body while also reducing the inflammatory response which is often associated with stress. (Source)

Adaptogens For Weight Loss

Although the main function of adaptogens is to mitigate the body’s stress response, these compounds may also provide additional benefits for weight loss.

Stress plays a significant role in weight. During chronic stress, the body releases the hormone cortisol, which can increase appetite and cravings for sugary and high-fat foods. Cortisol can also impact metabolism, causing a slowdown that results in weight gain, specifically around the abdominal region. (Source)

By modulating the stress response, adaptogenic compounds can help to reduce the body’s cortisol levels. This allows for the improved ability to manage a healthy weight by balancing hormone levels and improving the body’s metabolic function.

Many adaptogens may also provide additional benefits, such as increased energy levels and improved exercise performance. For example, numerous studies have found the adaptogen Ashwagandha may be beneficial in improving athletic performance by increasing the amount of oxygen the body can use during intense activity. It may also be helpful in increasing muscle strength when combined with resistance training. (Source)(Source)(Source)

Additionally, some studies have found that the adaptogen ginseng might help reduce appetite and decrease the absorption of fat by suppressing pancreatic lipase, an enzyme your body uses to break down dietary fat, while studies on rats found Rhodiola might be a helpful treatment for obesity. (Source)(Source)

Although the research on many of these adaptogenic compounds is promising, further research utilizing human trials is still needed to determine the safety and efficacy of these products as dietary supplements.

Dietary supplements are not regulated by the FDA and therefore it’s imperative to use caution when choosing these products. To ensure you are getting the best use of adaptogens, consider consulting a naturopathic physician for efficacious doses.

Because research is limited on adaptogens, there has not been an established dosage recommended however, some studies may support certain amounts as utilized by various research studies. For example, many studies support using Ashwagandha supplements in doses of 225-600 mg per day.

The length of time to take effect should also be taken into consideration. For example, many studies support the beneficial effects of taking Ashwagandha after about one month of consistent supplementation. (Source)(Source)(Source)

Incorporating Adaptogens And Green Powder Supplements Into Your Weight Loss Plan

If you are interested in including a green powder supplement in your weight loss plan, it’s important to choose one that contains the right ingredients.

For example, to get the most out of your green powder, consider one that offers adaptogens for weight loss in its blend, specifically ones like Ashwagandha and ginseng that have strong associations with benefits towards weight loss.

Additionally, it’s important to choose one that provides the right dosage of these ingredients. Many green powders contain proprietary blends that do not disclose the specific doses and may not be providing adequate amounts to see results.

Always choose products from trusted brands that offer third-party testing for quality and purity.

This further helps to further ensure you are getting a high-quality product that provides ingredients to support its claims, such as Human Tonik Supergreen Tonik and Red Tonik powders.

These powders provide efficacious doses of adaptogens that may benefit weight loss, such as Ashwagandha (500mg) and Rhodiola (300mg) which both have research studies available that support their potential use for weight loss in these doses. Additional studies are also available supporting the combination of Ashwagandha and Rhodiola for weight loss.

Plan to take your supplement at the same time every day. For most, this works best in the morning.

It’s important to get into a routine with taking your supplements as the best results come from consistent intake, especially with ingredients such as Ashwagandha, which may take up to a month of consistent supplementation to see results.

Additionally, these supplements should be used in combination with a balanced diet and exercise and not instead of. These products are intended to be used to supplement the diet and provide nutrients that are needed; however, the other food and lifestyle choices that are made during this time are still equally important when it comes to weight loss.

Taking a green powder with adaptogens alone will not likely provide significant results.

Bottom Line

Losing weight can be challenging for many. Although diet and lifestyle habits play a key role in weight reduction, certain supplements may be able to help.

Green powders, specifically those that contain adaptogens, can be beneficial in boosting essential nutrients while also supporting weight loss by reducing stress, improving cortisol levels, and more when combined with healthy diet and lifestyle choices.

Be picky when it comes to choosing your green powder supplements. Look for third-party testing and avoid supplements that contain proprietary blends. Choose products from trusted brands such as Human Tonik Supergreen Tonik or Red Tonik powders.

Weight loss is hard enough on its own. If there are certain natural compounds that may help you along the way, why not take advantage of them?

Meghan Stoops, RDN

Meghan is a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist from San Jose, California. She received her undergraduate degree from San Diego State University in 2015. Following an unexpected cross-country trip that landed her in Florida, she completed her didactic training through AdventHealth Orlando.

Meghan has extensive experience in multiple aspects of dietetics including critical care, motivational interviewing, writing, and research. She is passionate about health and wellness and has dedicated her free time to breaking down complicated nutrition topics and disseminating them to the public through the arena of writing.