Evidence supporting the use of: Eleuthero
For the health condition: Endurance (lack of)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus), also known as Siberian ginseng, has a long history of use in traditional Chinese and Russian medicine to combat fatigue and improve stamina. In the 20th century, Russian scientists popularized the use of eleuthero as an "adaptogen," a substance believed to help the body resist physical, environmental, and emotional stressors.

Several clinical trials and animal studies have investigated eleuthero's effects on endurance and physical performance. Some studies have shown that eleuthero supplementation may modestly improve endurance and reduce fatigue, likely through its adaptogenic effects, supporting stress response and modulating cortisol levels. For example, a few small human studies have suggested that eleuthero can increase time to exhaustion during exercise, enhance oxygen utilization, or decrease perceived exertion. However, results are mixed: other trials have found no significant benefit.

A 2010 systematic review concluded that while some evidence suggests eleuthero may improve certain aspects of physical performance, the overall quality of the studies is low, with small sample sizes and inconsistent methodologies. The most promising evidence supports mild improvements in endurance and subjective fatigue, but not consistent, robust effects.

In summary, while there is a traditional basis for eleuthero’s use and some preliminary scientific evidence for supporting endurance, the evidence is not strong or consistent. More rigorous research is needed to confirm its benefits and determine optimal dosing and populations for use.

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