Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Withanolides are a group of naturally occurring steroidal lactones found primarily in the plant Withania somnifera, commonly known as Ashwagandha. Ashwagandha has a long history of use in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, where it is classified as an adaptogen—a substance believed to help the body resist various stressors, including those affecting the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are responsible for producing stress hormones such as cortisol.

Scientific studies, mostly preclinical and a limited number of human trials, suggest that withanolides may modulate the body’s stress response. Research indicates that Ashwagandha extracts standardized for withanolide content can reduce markers of stress and anxiety and lower cortisol levels in humans. For example, randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that Ashwagandha supplementation can significantly reduce serum cortisol and self-reported stress scores compared to placebo. The proposed mechanism involves modulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which is central to adrenal gland function.

However, while these findings are promising, most studies use Ashwagandha extract rather than isolated withanolides, and research is ongoing to determine the precise role of withanolides themselves. Overall, there is moderate scientific evidence supporting the use of withanolide-containing extracts to support adrenal function, primarily through stress reduction and HPA axis modulation, but more robust, large-scale human trials are needed for conclusive validation.

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