Stress is an inevitable part of life in today’s modern world. Whether it’s work, finances, or relationships, stress can make us feel overworked and overloaded. More Americans than ever are reporting feeling chronically high levels of stress according to a 2018 survey by the American Psychological Association (1).

Confronting this constant stress can be mentally exhausting, but research reveals chronic stress can affect your physical health as well. Chronic stress has been associated with numerous negative outcomes that affect your brain, nervous system, sleep patterns, cardiovascular health, and weight (2).

Popular stress management methods such as regular exercise, hobbies, meditation, and yoga are useful to mitigate daily stressors. Research shows most Americans instead resort to unhealthy habits when times are tough (1). Whether it’s alcohol, stimulants, or simply overeating, many Americans could benefit from finding a better solution to help manage stress.

Stress and Adaptogens

Originating from the Greek word “adapto,” the term adaptogen is applied to plants that produce special substances allowing them to survive under significant conditions of environmental stress. Former Soviet Union research scientists Nicolai Lazarev and Israel Brekhman were the first to systematically study adaptogens. Their research found that adaptogens work by normalizing the body’s functions under stress and that daily consumption may improve mental and physical performances while reducing fatigue (3, 4).

Find more information about adaptogens here.

Because of the health benefits of adaptogenic herbs, Isagenix created Ionix® Supreme, a daily tonic designed to provide stress-modulating effects on the body. Ionix Supreme incorporates a select blend of well-studied adaptogens and other unique botanicals, each chosen specifically for their role in supporting physical and mental performance, as well as offering a solution to aid in stress management.

Hear Jim Coover’s personal account of his meeting with Dr. Brekhmanhere.

Meet the Adaptogens in Ionix Supreme

Though adaptogens help the body combat the effects of stress, they each have their own mechanism of action to benefit overall health.

Here’s a deeper look at the adaptogens found in Ionix Supreme:

Wolfberry (Lycium barbarum): A red-orange berry of the Solanaceae nightshade family that ancient (what?) regarded as nourishing to the liver, kidneys, and eyes. Modern studies affirm its use in modulating stress and supporting faster recovery post-exercise (5-7).

Eleuthero root (Eleutherococcus senticosus): A small, woody shrub native to Northeastern Asia used in traditional Chinese medicine as a natural remedy for reducing fatigue. Modern use of the root was popularized after the former Soviet Union popularized its use for its space and sport programs to support physical endurance (8, 9).

Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea): A plant that grows in the coldest regions of the world, including Northern Asia. Rhodiola has been traditionally used in Russia and Scandinavian countries to strengthen the body’s resistance to stress and improve energy levels (10).

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera): Used in Indian Ayurevedic medicine for centuries and native to regions of India, Africa, and the Middle East. In recent studies, ashwagandha has demonstrated potent antioxidant effects (11, 12). Studies have also shown it to support healthy brain and immune function (13, 14).

Bacopa (Bacopa monniera): A plant popular in traditional Indian medicine practices for the enhancement of memory and to promote longevity. Preclinical studies have shown it to have antioxidant and adaptogenic effects on the central nervous system (15-17).

Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis): This berry grows as part of a woody vine native to the forests of Northern China and Eastern Russia and has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine. In human studies, schizandra has been reported to increase work accuracy and decrease feelings of fatigue and exhaustion (18).

How To Use Ionix Supreme

Getting your daily dose of adaptogens is easy with the targeted blend supplied in Ionix Supreme. Available in powder or liquid varieties, it is can be enjoyed as a tonic, a warm or cold tea, or blended with your favorite IsaLean® Shake or beverage. Ionix Supreme is a valuable addition during times of elevated stress, after a tough workout, or as needed, up to two servings per day.

Prime your body daily with the blend of adaptogens in Ionix Supreme for optimal stress support and overall health.

References

  1. American Psychological Association (2018). Stress in America: Generation Z. Stress in America™ Survey. Available at https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2018/stress-gen-z.pdf
  2. Roberts C, Troop N, Connan F, Treasure J, Campbell IC. The effects of stress on body weight: biological and psychological predictors of change in BMI. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2007 Dec;15(12):3045-55. doi: 10.1038/oby.2007.363.
  3. Panossian A, Wikman G. Evidence-based efficacy of adaptogens in fatigue, and molecular mechanisms related to their stress-protective activity. Curr Clin Pharmacol 2009;4:198-219.
  4. Panossian A, Wikman G. Effects of adaptogens on the central nervous system and the molecular mechanisms associated with their stree-protective activity. Pharmaceuticals 2010; 3: 188-224.
  5. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, and Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. Medical Economics Company, Inc. 2000. Montvale, NY.
  6. Engels G, Brinckmann J, Lycium (Goji Berry) Lycium barbarum and L. chinense Family: Solanaceae HerbalGram. 2017, 113: 8-18.
  7. Bucheli P, Gao Q, Redgwell R. Vidal K. Wang J. and Zhang W. Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects of Chinese Wolfberry In: Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition, Benzie IFF, Wachtel-Galor S, editors. CRC Press/Taylor & Francis, Boca Raton, 2011.
  8. Saluzki D, Smolarz HD. TLC profiling, nutritional and pharmacological properties of Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) cultivated in Poland, Pak. J. Pharm. Sci. 2016; 29, 1497-1502.
  9. Blumenthal M, Hall T, Goldberg A, Kunz T, Dinda K, Brinckmann J, et al. The ABC Clinical Guide to Herbs. Austin, TX: American Botanical Council; 2003.
  10. Darbinyan V, Kteyan A, Panossian A, et al. Rhodiola rosea in stress induced fatigue–a double blind cross-over study of a standardized extract SHR-5 with a repeated low-dose regimen on the mental performance of healthy physicians during night duty. Phytomedicine 2000;7:365-71.
  11. Jayaprakasam B, Padmanabhan K, Nair MG. Withanamides in Withania somnifera fruit protect PC-12 cells from beta-amyloid responsible for Alzheimer’s disease. Phytother Res 2010;24:859-63.
  12. Auddy B, et al. Standardized Withania somnifera extract significantly reduces stress-related parameters in chronically stressed humans: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. JANA 2008; 11:50-56.
  13. Ziauddin M, Phansalkar N, Patki P, Diwanay S, Patwardhan B. Studies on the immunomodulatory effects of Ashwagandha. J Ethnopharmacol 1996;50:69-76.
  14. Davis L, Kuttan G. Immunomodulatory activity of Withania somnifera. J Ethnopharmacol 2000;71:193-200.
  15. Uabundit N, Wattanathorn J, Mucimapura S, Ingkaninan K. Cognitive enhancement and neuroprotective effects of Bacopa monnieri in Alzheimer’s disease model. J Ethnopharmacol 2010;127:26-31. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2009.09.056
  16. Morgan A, Stevens J. Does Bacopa monnieri improve memory performance in older persons? Results of a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. J Altern Complement Med 2010;16:753-9.
  17. Roodenrys S, Booth D, Bulzomi S, Phipps A, Micallef C, Smoker J. Chronic effects of Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) on human memory. Neuropsychopharmacology 2002;27:279-81.
  18. Aslanyan G, et al. Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study of single dose effects of ADAPT-232 on cognitive functions. Phytomedicine 2010.