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 longstanding history of use in Ayurvedic medicine as an adaptogen, a substance believed to help the body manage stress. The adrenal cortex plays a crucial role in the body’s response to stress by producing corticosteroids such as cortisol. Several scientific studies suggest that Withanolides, the active constituents of Ashwagandha, may exert an adaptogenic effect, thereby supporting adrenal function. Clinical trials have shown that supplementation with standardized Ashwagandha extracts can help reduce markers of stress, lower cortisol levels, and improve subjective stress and anxiety in humans (Chandrasekhar et al., 2012; Lopresti et al., 2019). While the precise mechanism remains under investigation, it is hypothesized that Withanolides modulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which governs adrenal cortex activity. However, while there is moderate scientific support—particularly related to stress resilience and cortisol modulation—evidence specifically targeting direct enhancement of adrenal cortex function is still emerging. Thus, the use of Withanolides for adrenal support is justified by a combination of traditional use and growing scientific validation, though more targeted research is needed.

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