ginseng Archives - Athletes Sanctuary

As interest in herbal medicines is increasing among athletes, we thought we’d share some insights from recently published medical journals on energy boosting herbs.

The area of sports performance and sports products can be confusing but by sharing evidence-based information, we hope to create greater awareness and empower you to make informed decisions. Please keep in mind, this information is general in nature and does not qualify as specific advice for your individual sport or health status.

Many sports products are underpinned by large marketing budgets, whereas many natural products demonstrate clinical results but unfortunately allocated limited research budgets in regard to their effects on sports performance.

Plants provide nutritious macro-nutrients such as carbohydrates and lipids. Herbal medicines also contain active compounds that reduce infections and inflammation. Their applications are very broad from improving cardiovascular health to balancing hormones. The most popular herbs contain antioxidant properties that play a role in reducing oxidative stress, enhancing muscle recovery and energy with intensive exercise. Let’s investigate four of the herbs used by athletes namely Green Tea, Ginseng, Turmeric, and Tribulus.

Green tea extract

Green tea extract (Camilla Sinensis) is often found in weight management and stimulating supplements. Green tea extract (GTE) contains polyphenols, and antioxidants reported to increase fat utilisation. The phytonutrients in green tea have also been shown to inhibit pro-inflammatory substances and improve tendon, cartilage and collagen in athletes. Unfortunately, the majority of poor quality (yet widely available) GTE products do not declare their level of active ingredients and therefore provide very mixed results for athletes.

Dietary inclusion of GTE antioxidants is well supported. A 2017 clinical trial involving 54 soccer players taking GTE demonstrated significant improvements in oxidative status over a six week period (Hadi,2017). A subsequent study involving cyclists, demonstrated positive effects on neuromuscular function, reduced oxidative stress and muscle damage with cumulative exercise. Other studies suggest it may improve body mass and composition in athletes.

I encourage athletes to use GTE as a substitute for coffee with limited withdrawal side effects. Although the average cup of pure green tea usually contains around 25 milligrams of caffeine, this is considered to be low when compared to around 100-180 milligrams in a typical coffee.

Synopsis: Green tea extract is a great source of antioxidants. Clinical trials focused on weight loss do not include well-trained athletes and therefore the relevance of results remain questionable. Whilst green tea is well researched by credible sources such as the Cochrane Review (Jurgens, 2012), in my opinion GTE supplements do not deliver significant weight loss benefits over and above a sound nutritional and exercise plan to warrant the marketing hype. Green tea is however a great alternative to coffee and absolutely delicious as a matcha latte or in bliss balls.

Ginseng

When considering herbs for sports performance, the ginseng family is widely studied and praised for its support of physical endurance. There are many different forms of ginseng. The root of Korean ginseng (Panex Ginseng) is widely recognised for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immune enhancing and endurance performance benefits. It also contains vitamins A, B, C and E along with iron, magnesium, potassium, phosphorous and ginsenoside active compounds.

A 2018 study demonstrated ginseng’s anti-fatigue effects related to its reduction in creatine kinase and blood urea nitrogen. Other studies suggest that use over a nine week period may improve aerobic capacity, (Vo2max), physical performance, lactate production and heart rate in athletes.

Its medicinal use extends to erectile dysfunction, libido, weakness, poor memory, cardiovascular issues, fatigue in menopausal women, and cognitive function.

Synopsis: Ginseng’s inclusion in nearly 8000 research papers in PubMed suggests this herb deserves consideration, especially in athletes with fatigue.

Turmeric

Turmeric Curcuma Longa is the most well-researched root in the world and is renowned for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective coumarin agents. In clinical practice it is widely prescribed for inflammatory conditions such as arthritic joint conditions, liver and digestive issues, cancer, neurodegenerative disease and autoimmune conditions.

Turmeric has benefits for marathoners, downhill runners, and weight trainers by attenuating muscle inflammation caused by training and competition by reducing inflammatory cytokines. Some researchers suggest curcumin may serve as a more effective anti-inflammatory agent than ibuprofen during and following heavy exertion..

A study involving male master cyclists showed a significant reduction in advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) which are associated with stiffening of skeletal muscle, tendons, joints, bone, heart, arteries and lung with turmeric use. A recent 2020 systemic review concluded turmeric before, during and up until 72 hours post-exercise, improved performance by modulating the inflammation caused by physical activity.

Synopsis: Turmeric’s appearance in over 15,000 published research papers provides credibility behind its anti-inflammatory capabilities for recovery and injuries. Turmeric is generally well tolerated in therapeutic doses without significant side-effects. Sufficient levels of active curcumin are difficult to obtain through dietary intake alone and therefore supplementation may be beneficial for some athletes. Professional guidance around its bioavailability and quality is however imperative in order to obtain its reported benefits.

Tribulus

Tribulus Tribulus Terrestris gained popularity amongst eastern European male athletes for its reported ability to improve testosterone, muscle growth and libido in power and weight-lifting athletes. Tribulus is used medicinally for hormonal support in both men and women. Tribulus contains steroidal saponins, such as diosgenin and phytosterols with beneficial effects on reproductive, urinary and cardiovascular systems.

Many of the recent studies investigating the anabolic and androgenic action of Tribulus are poorly designed and provide conflicting results. A 2008 study was unable to reveal a significant variation or increased above the WADA cut-off limits testosterone. Another study on Australian rugby union players failed to use adequate therapeutic levels of Tribulus.

Synopsis: Although considered a relatively safe herb by clinicians, this plant has been targeted for contamination with illegal substances in supplements. Some supplements containing Tribulus have led to positive doping control tests. Therefore this herb should be cautioned for elite athletes. In our opinion further research is warranted before safe and effective recommendations of this herb for sports performance can be provided. As with all-natural medicines, just because they are “natural” does not necessarily imply they are safe or without side effects or interactions with other medications. Therefore, athletes should consult with a qualified herbal practitioner who is across drug controls before self-prescribing.

About the Author: Kate Smyth is a Sports naturopath, nutritionist and female centric running coach. She is the founder of the Athlete Sanctuary- a holistic healthcare clinic for athletes of all levels and sporting codes. Kate has a thirst for knowledge with two bachelor’s and a master’s degree under her belt. She has been involved in sports for many decades and competed for Australia in the Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games marathons with a personal best time of 2 hours 28 minutes. For more information visit www.https://https://athletesanctuary.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/normatec-3-lower-body-system-thumb_720x-1.webp.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Seed-Cycle-Blends-scaled-1.jpg.com.au

References

Fernández-Lázaro, D., Mielgo-Ayuso, J., Seco Calvo, J., Córdova Martínez, A., Caballero García, A., & Fernandez-Lazaro, C. I. (2020). Modulation of exercise-induced muscle damage, inflammation, and oxidative markers by curcumin supplementation in a physically active population: a systematic review. Nutrients, 12(2), 501. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/2/501

Suhett, L. G., de Miranda Monteiro Santos, R., Silveira, B. K. S., Leal, A. C. G., de Brito, A. D. M., de Novaes, J. F., & Lucia, C. M. D. (2021). Effects of curcumin supplementation on sport and physical exercise: a systematic review. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 61(6), 946-958. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10408398.2020.1749025

Sellami, M., Slimeni, O., Pokrywka, A. et al. Herbal medicine for sports: a review. J Int Soc Sports Nutr 15, 14 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-018-0218-y

Machado, Á. S., Da Silva, W., Souza, M. A., & Carpes, F. P. (2018). Green tea extract preserves neuromuscular activation and muscle damage markers in athletes under cumulative fatigue. Frontiers in physiology, 9, 1137. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2018.01137/full

For further information on the suitability of these options for your particular situation, book in for an individual assessment with our Sports Naturopath Kate Smyth here

Some women experience absolutely no symptoms during their transition through menopause but if you are like 80% of women who do, it’s reassuring to know there are treatment options available. Help for menopause is here.

Perimenopause is the stage where most of the symptoms begin and these can persist for over a decade. Menopause officially commences 12 months after your last period. Women can go through menopause anywhere between the ages of 40 and 58 years but the average age is 52 years. Symptoms can occur due to the falling levels of estrogen and progesterone, which has a multifaceted impact on organs and tissues throughout the body.

Most women identify menopause with hot flushes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood swings, poor libido and fatigue. Symptoms usually occur in the perimenopausal phase due to declining progesterone. Oestrogen actually increases to levels 30% higher than before but can go through periods of variations similar to a roller coaster leading to insomnia, depression, poor concentration, irritability, anxiety and poor stress tolerance and lethargy. In the later stages of perimenopause, oestrogen declines which may contribute to other symptoms such as heart palpitations, joint pain, osteoporosis and mental health issues.

One of the associated effects of estrogen decline is an increased risk of osteoporosis. This is due primarily to the 1-2% loss of bone density per year of menopause, as well as 10 years post-menopause. Estrogen decline is also associated with elevated cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, hypothyroidism, urinary tract infections and thrush.

Some women have concerns about the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or are unable to use this option due to breast or ovarian cancer risk. Fortunately, there is now a large body of evidence that supports the use of herbal and nutritional medicines during the menopausal transition.

DIETARY INTERVENTIONS

Phytoestrogens are naturally occurring estrogen-like compounds found in plants, fruits, or vegetables and are commonly divided into three main classes: isoflavones, lignans, and coumestans.

Isoflavones are found in the legume family, with high amounts in soybeans and soy products.

Lignans are found in high-fibre foods such as unrefined grains, cereal brans, and beans, with flaxseed being a particularly good dietary source of lignans. A recent systematic review found that women who consumed protein bars containing flaxseed (410 mg of lignan) for 6 weeks reported a 50% decrease in hot flushes. Seed cycling can be helpful for women who want to boost their intake of fatty acids and lignans.

Coumestan-rich foods include alfalfa and clover sprouts, peas, pinto beans, and lima beans.

Herbs

Hops (Humulus lupulus) dampens tension and anxiety. The active ingredient in hops, 8-prenylnaringenin, is a potent phytoestrogen and has been demonstrated to reduce vasomotor symptoms by improving the ability of the blood vessels to expand and contract. Numerous clinical trials have also documented significant reductions in the frequency of hot flushes, sweating, insomnia, heart palpitations and irritability in women who used a hops extract for 6 weeks.

In clinical practice, a combination of herbs is often used to support women during the transition through menopause. Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng), which is considered to be a “buried treasure medicine”, is another popular herb for active women suffering from fatigue. Ginseng’s active constituents include saponins, amino acids, vitamins (particularly folic acid and niacin), alkaloids, phenolic compounds, and flavonoids. Ginseng has been widely used in traditional medicine to assist with building resilience to stress and used as an energizer, to increase libido, and testosterone and alleviate menopausal symptoms. Clinical trials have shown ginseng significantly reduced depression and improve perceived well-being, exercise performance and energy in perimenopause.

Another popular herb is chasteberry, or vitex. This herb has shown positive results in reducing PMS, anxiety, hot flushes and breast tenderness in perimenopausal women. Vitex is used to support the transition from perimenopause to menopause due to its ability to increase progesterone levels and help maintain a healthy balance between progesterone and estrogen.

For women experiencing persistent hot flushes or night sweats as a result of menopause, Red Clover (Trifolium Pratense) may often be prescribed. This herb contains high levels of phytoestrogens for improving hormonal balance, as well as helping improve bone density in those at risk of osteoporosis. Several clinical trials demon straight the isoflavones present in red clover inhibit bone resorption and therefore reduce bone turnover associated with osteoporosis.

Ginkgo Biloba is similar to red clover because of the phytoestrogens it contains and its ability to naturally elevate estrogen levels. Studies show that Ginkgo Biloba can reduce mood fluctuations associated with both PMS and menopause, as well as improving libido in 84% of trial participants after 4 weeks.

Sage, most commonly prescribed as a tea, has long been used in the management of fevers. However, there is also evidence to support the use of sage for menopausal hot flushes and night sweats. A study that assessed the use of fresh sage leaves in food or as tea demonstrated that the intensity and frequency of hot flushes were significantly reduced over a period of 8 weeks with consistent use.

Hormones play an integral role in your health, and changes in hormone balances can be challenging. There are many different ways that nutrition can be used to navigate menopause, without having to experience the numerous, negative side effects of HRT.

As with any element of health, there is never a one-size-fits-all approach and therefore we recommend individualised treatments for menopausal symptoms.

About the Author: Kate Smyth is a Sports naturopath, nutritionist and female-centric running coach. She is the founder of the Athlete Sanctuary- a holistic healthcare clinic for athletes of all levels and sporting codes. Kate has a thirst for knowledge with two bachelor’s and a master’s degree under her belt. She has been involved in sports for many decades and competed for Australia in the Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games marathons with a personal best time of 2 hours 28 minutes. For more information visit www.athletesanctuary.com.au

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