Definition
Rhodiola is an adaptogenic herb, which means it has proven benefits relating to your brain and your body. Taken as a supplement, you may find you feel more energetic, better able to handle stress, and more mentally clear than you felt before.
How to Do It
To get all the benefits of rhodiola, you only need to take it daily. One 2012 study found that people who took 200 mg of rhodiola twice per day showed a marked improvement in stress symptoms, functional impairment and overall therapeutic effect and those improvements began to be measurable just three days after they began the trial!
Take an equivalent dose (around 400-500 mg) in the mornings before breakfast or split your dose into two and take them before breakfast and before dinner.
Specifically interested in how rhodiola can improve your work-outs? In that case you’ll want to take your full dose about an hour before you work out.
Benefits
- Improves mood
- Reduces stress
- Increases mental performance
- Helps burn belly fat
- Increases physical performance
- Improves energy levels
Why it works
- Rhodiola is an adaptogen, which means it boosts your body’s ability to respond to and resist stress
- Lowers your body’s production of the stress hormone cortisol which improves moods and dramatically reduces stress response.
- Rhodiola’s main active compound, rosavin, can trigger your hormone-sensitive lipase, which kickstarts the breakdown of adipose tissue aka belly fat.
- Anti-oxidant properties reduce oxidative stress in the body and boosts EPO to stimulate red blood cell production and increase the amount of oxygen your muscles are getting so you can perform better in physical tasks and feel less fatigue.
Suggested Frequency
Once or twice per day, depending on your dosage.
Supporting Studies and Articles
Side Effects
- As a supplement rhodiola has minimal side effects. Some people find it can cause dizziness and dry mouth after taking it orally and if this happens to you, you should discontinue use.
- There is some evidence that rhodiola can cause issues for people who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Required Equipment
Rhodiola supplement
Gurus/Celebrities/Doing it
Gwyneth Paltrow
Related Products
Rhodiola Supplements
Suggested Time of Day
In the morning before breakfast or an hour before exercise
Notes
- When purchasing a rhodiola supplement, make sure what you’re buying carries a USP or NSF seal, which guarantees you’re getting a pure rhodiola supplement.
- Check that the supplement you’re purchasing contains 3% rosavins and 1% salidroside, which mimics the plant’s natural make-up.
- Rhodiola can have a stimulating effect, so it’s best to take in the mornings, rather than at night before bed.
