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Rhodiola rosea (Rhodiola) thrives in extremely cold environments with intense sunlight, which explains why those Northern-dwelling Vikings were so familiar with it.
Rhodiola is one of those high-performance herbs that, in addition to having loads of "street cred," also has some pretty interesting science behind it.
Studies have shown that users can train longer, at higher levels, without overtraining. And it does this in a way that's different than conventional recovery models.
In 1968, Soviet pharmacologists determined that Rhodiola met all of the necessary criteria for classification as an adaptogen, which, as mentioned earlier, literally means that it helps the body adapt to — and resist — physical, chemical, and environmental stress.
Forty years and over 180 research studies later, a growing body of Western scientists and physicians are beginning to study and consequently prescribe this "super herb."
Traditional uses of the plant include stimulating the nervous system, improving depression, enhancing work performance, improving sleep, eliminating fatigue, and preventing high-altitude sickness.
Although more research is necessary to refine these findings, recent clinical trials on standardized extracts of Rhodiola rosea have reported impressive improvements in performance, immune function, cognitive function, and most commonly, a pronounced improvement in mood and a reduction in mental fatigue.
Rhodiola boosts physical and mental performance, along with enhancing recovery from intense-resistance exercise. Broadly speaking, these beneficial effects result from the interplay of several physiological mechanisms.
• Enhances mitochondrial function, and therefore influences substrate oxidation and turnover.
• Reduces exercise-induced lipid and protein oxidation.
• Facilitates the biosynthesis, activation, and transport of neurotransmitters in the brain, particularly the opioids (i.e., beta-endorphins).
• Influences the levels of biogenic monoamines, such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine in the cerebral cortex, brain stem, and hypothalamus.
• Modulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
Following an on/off-cycling protocol of 3:1 seems to work best.
Rhodiola is an excellent supplement for athletes to use during times of increased physical demands to manage fatigue and enhance the body's ability to recover from training. Here are some specific examples of how an athlete would use Rhodiola:
• When increasing training volume or intensity
• When attempting to change body composition
• To combat the effects of overtraining
• To improve mood and restore positive attitude
• At the end of training cycles
• When training at higher altitudes
• While fighting off illness.
Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 1 Capsule
Servings Per Container: 60
Amount Per Serving
%DV*
Rhodiola rosea extract (15% rosavins)
100 mg
**
*Percent Daily Values (%DV) are based on a 2,000 calorie
**Daily Value not established
Other Ingredients: gelatin, microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate.
Store away from heat, light, and moisture.
Recommended Use: As a dietary supplement, take one or two capsules in the morning and one or two capsules six hours later
or prior to training.
WARNING: DO NOT USE IF PREGNANT OR NURSING. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.
NOTICE: This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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