Vitality Unleashed: The Functional Medicine Podcast

The Ancient Root Rebooting Your Brain

• Dr. Kumar from LifeWellMD.com • Season 1 • Episode 142

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Dive deep into the fascinating world where ancient herbal wisdom meets cutting-edge neuroscience. Ashwagandha, a remarkable herb revered in Ayurvedic medicine for millennia, is now capturing the attention of modern researchers for its profound effects on brain health.

This exploration uncovers how ashwagandha's rich profile of bioactive compounds—withanolides, withanamides, and withanocides—works through multiple pathways to support and protect your brain. Beyond just another trendy supplement, ashwagandha functions as a powerful antioxidant shield, actively rescuing neuronal cells from oxidative damage. Perhaps most remarkably, it promotes neurite outgrowth and synaptic reconstruction—essentially helping your brain rebuild and strengthen its vital communication networks.

The scientific evidence is compelling. Preclinical research shows ashwagandha's potential to combat protein aggregation in Alzheimer's disease, protect dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's, and address mechanisms underlying other neurodegenerative conditions. Human clinical trials demonstrate tangible cognitive improvements—enhanced memory, sharper attention, faster processing speed, and improved executive function—even in healthy adults seeking better mental performance.

What makes this herb truly special is its multifaceted approach to brain health. While pharmaceuticals often target single pathways, ashwagandha works through multiple mechanisms simultaneously: fighting oxidative stress, reducing inflammation, modulating neurotransmitters, and supporting cellular regeneration. It's nature's cognitive enhancer, backed by both millennia of traditional use and growing scientific validation.

Whether you're concerned about cognitive aging, seeking natural brain support, or simply curious about optimizing your mental performance, this deep dive offers evidence-based insights to help you make informed decisions about incorporating this ancient remedy into your modern wellness routine. The journey toward better brain health might be rooted in wisdom that's thousands of years old, yet thoroughly relevant to today's neuroscientific understanding.

Disclaimer:
The information provided in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your supplement regimen or health routine. Individual needs and reactions vary, so it’s important to make informed decisions with the guidance of your physician.

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Stay Informed, Stay Healthy:
Remember, informed choices lead to better health. Until next time, be well and take care of yourself.

Speaker 1:

Welcome to the Deep Dive, where we really try to cut through the noise and bring you some fascinating insights from well cutting-edge research. Today we're actually embarking on a journey into ancient wisdom, looking at a remarkable herb that's generating quite a bit of buzz in modern wellness ashwagandha. We're going to unpack its profound potential for brain health and really overall well-being.

Speaker 2:

That's right. For centuries, ashwagandha has been a cornerstone of traditional Indian medicine, ayurveda. It was revered for its rejuvenating properties. But what's truly fascinating now is how modern science is well validating and uncovering the precise mechanisms behind these long-held beliefs, especially when it comes to our brain. It really is a bridge, isn't it, between that ancient wisdom and modern medical science.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, absolutely, and our mission today is to sift through the latest scientific findings and that includes a pretty recent systematic review from Plants 2024 to uncover the evidence-based benefits of this well powerful herb. We want to arm you with knowledge so you can make informed decisions about your health. It's an approach championed by informed physicians like like those at LifeWellMDcom.

Speaker 2:

Exactly. We believe in combining the best of tradition with proper scientific rigor. It gives you a more holistic understanding of how these natural compounds can support your health journey.

Speaker 1:

Yeah.

Speaker 2:

And honestly understanding these mechanisms can really inspire you to take charge of your well-being.

Speaker 1:

So if you're curious about a natural approach to supporting your brain and body, stay with us. This deep dive is really designed to educate, inform and hopefully inspire you to explore your own optimal health. Okay, so to truly appreciate ashwagandha's modern scientific marvels, we probably need to trace its ancient roots first. I mean, many of you might have heard of it, but do you really know its incredible history and what actually gives it its unique powers?

Speaker 2:

Absolutely. It's a great place to start this remarkable plant. Scientifically it's known as Withania somnifera, and it's been a pillar of herbal medicine for well nearly 8,000 years, dating way back to 6,000 BC. The name somnifera itself is Latin for sleep inducer, which kind of hints at its long recognized anti-stress and calming properties, and the common name ashwagandha. That translates beautifully to smell of horse.

Speaker 1:

Smell of horse.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, it refers not just to its distinctive root scent but also to the traditional belief that, you know, consuming it imparts the strength and vitality of a horse Strength and vitality of a horse Wow, what a vivid image.

Speaker 1:

So it's clearly not just some passing fad. It's an ancient rejuvenator revered for promoting both physical and mental health. What's particularly fascinating, I think, is how broad his traditional uses were you mentioned epilepsy, insomnia, inflammation Even as an aphrodisiac. It suggests a really deep, almost intuitive understanding of its multifaceted benefits, doesn't it?

Speaker 2:

Precisely, and this isn't just anecdotal folklore anymore. The scientific community's interest in ashwagandha has well it's really soared, especially regarding its neuroprotective and cognitive enhancing potential, and this is all thanks to the unique compounds found within the plant, particularly concentrated in its roots, leaves and fruits. We're talking about a really rich profile of over 40 distinct withanolides, alongside things called withanamides and withanocides.

Speaker 1:

Those are the active compounds.

Speaker 2:

Exactly. Think of them as the plant's special chemical messengers. They're the key bioactive players responsible for many of its observed properties. We're talking potent antioxidant, anti-amyloid and anti-inflammatory activities. They're like the powerful active ingredients in a well, a natural pharmaceutical, if you like.

Speaker 1:

Okay, here's where it gets really interesting for our brains, because our brains, I mean, they're incredibly sophisticated, but they're also incredibly vulnerable to damage. Right, you could almost think of it like rust forming in a finely tuned engine, but you know inside your head how does ashwagandha actually step in to protect our most vital organ?

Speaker 2:

That's a great analogy, actually, because neuronal cells, our brain cells, they are indeed highly susceptible to what we call oxidative stress. This happens when there's an imbalance between harmful free radicals those pro-oxidants and our body's natural defenses the antioxidants. When those free radicals overwhelm the system, they cause damage, leading to neuronal loss and contributing to various brain disorders. What's truly remarkable about ashwagandha is that it acts as a potent antioxidant. It actively rescues these neuronal cells.

Speaker 1:

Rescues them how?

Speaker 2:

Well, its key constituents, like with analyte A, with analyte B, with anoside V and with anoside V, those compounds we mentioned are incredibly effective at significantly reducing the production of reactive oxygen species, or ROS. Those are the harmful free radicals. In fact, some studies have even shown them to be more effective than certain commercial antioxidants.

Speaker 1:

Wow, more effective. That's quite something.

Speaker 2:

It is. Imagine that an ancient herb potentially outperforming some modern synthetic protectors for your brain.

Speaker 1:

So it's like a powerful shield for your brain cells, protecting them from that rust, as I put it. But you mentioned it goes beyond just antioxidation, right. What other broad benefits does it offer for sort of comprehensive brain health?

Speaker 2:

Absolutely. Its capabilities are incredibly diverse. It's not just one thing. Beyond that direct antioxidant activity, ashwagandha constituents play crucial roles in several other vital areas for brain health.

Speaker 1:

Okay, like what?

Speaker 2:

Okay, first, neurite outgrowth and synaptic reconstruction. Think of your brain cells like tiny trees Neurons have long branches called axons and roots called dendrites.

Speaker 1:

Right the connections.

Speaker 2:

Exactly. They form connections or synapses with other cells. Ashwagandha essentially acts like a powerful fertilizer and a repair kit. Compounds like with thanolide A promote axonal elongation, helping those branches grow longer. Withanocytes IV and Vasease promote dendritic growth, making the roots dens longer. With anocides the fourth and Vasease provoke dendritic growth, making the roots denser. In its metabolite, siminone even induces axonal and dendritic regeneration and synaptic reconstruction.

Speaker 1:

Regeneration, so it can actually help rebuild.

Speaker 2:

That's what the preclinical data suggests. Yes, this is fundamental for repairing and maintaining healthy neuronal networks. You need those networks for clear communication and efficient processing in your brain. It's helping your brain build and rebuild those vital connections.

Speaker 1:

That's incredible. Okay, what else?

Speaker 2:

Second, anti-inflammation. Neuroinflammation is a silent but pretty significant factor in many brain disorders. Think of it like chronic irritation in your brain. For instance, with the farin A, another key compound has been shown to inhibit something called NF-Key-mediated inflammation.

Speaker 1:

NF-kappa-B.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, think of NF-Key as a key protein that acts like a master switch, turning on genes that cause inflammation throughout the body, including the brain. By blocking it, ashwagandha helps calm an overactive immune response in the brain. It reduces the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Those are like the alarm bells that signal inflammation. With anone, another compound, also attenuates inflammation, so it's helping keep the brain's environment balanced and healthy.

Speaker 1:

Okay, so antioxidant helps rebuilding and anti-inflammatory, anything else?

Speaker 2:

Yes, third, modulating neurotransmitters Ashwagandha can help restore baseline calcium levels, which are critical for proper cell function and signaling. It also modulates the cholinergic system, that's a network of neurons using acetylcholine, which is vital for memory, learning and attention. In studies, ashwagandha helped increase both acetylcholine levels and its activity. It's essentially fine-tuning one of your brain's most important communication pathways for better cognitive function.

Speaker 1:

Wow, that is a lot of intricate biochemistry happening from well one little root. It almost makes you wonder how ancient cultures stumbled upon this, like they had an intuitive grasp of molecular biology. So it really sounds like ashwagandha has this multi-pronged approach to brain health, protector, builder, regulator. Which leads us to a really important question Given these profound mechanisms, what's its potential in the fight against specific neurodegenerative challenges? Let's maybe get into some specific diseases, starting with Alzheimer's.

Speaker 2:

That's the core idea, that multifaceted approach. And yes, if we connect this to the bigger picture of Alzheimer's which, as you know, is often characterized by the buildup of sticky beta amyloid plaques and widespread neuronal damage, ashwagandha's potential role looks quite compelling, at least based on that preclinical research.

Speaker 1:

Okay, compelling how.

Speaker 2:

Well for Alzheimer's disease. Ad compounds like withanilate A and withanamides seem to actively help neutralize the toxicity of those ATA proteins and prevent the harmful plaques from forming in the first place. What's even more fascinating, perhaps, is that withanilate A seems to act on specific enzymes. It reduces BACE1, that's like a bad actor enzyme that produces the toxic beta amyloid, and at the same time it increases ADAM10 and IDE, which are more like the cleanup fruit enzymes that break down and clear away those plaques.

Speaker 1:

So it's doing both preventing and helping clear.

Speaker 2:

That's what the research suggests. Yes, plus, root extracts have also been shown to improve cognition, possibly by regulating a protein called NCX3, which helps restore crucial calcium balance in neurons, essential for their healthy function. There are even studies suggesting it helps clear AWOL from the brain by boosting a protein in the liver called LRP, which is involved in clearing amyloid from the bloodstream.

Speaker 1:

That is incredible, actively helping clear the very plaques associated with AD and supporting the brain's internal cleanup system. But I mean, these are complex diseases. How much of a measurable impact could a single herb realistically have? Or are we talking more about supporting broader brain resilience here?

Speaker 2:

That's a critical question and you're right to ask it. We're still largely in the realm of supporting brain resilience and investigating potential pathways for therapeutic intervention. These are very promising preclinical findings showing the blueprint of how ashwagandha could work. Now for Parkinson's, the focus shifts slightly more towards protecting those precious dopaminergic neurons.

Speaker 1:

Right, the ones that produce dopamine.

Speaker 2:

Exactly so in Parkinson's disease, PD. Ashwagandha seems to help by reducing that damaging oxidative stress we talked about earlier, and it boosts the body's natural antioxidant enzymes like SOD, CIT and GPX Think of those as your brain's built-in detox team. It also appears to help restore crucial catecholamine levels, like docamine, in the brain, which are severely depleted in PD and lead to motor symptoms. Furthermore, it seems to regulate apoptotic pathways, basically helping prevent the programmed cell death of neurons, and has shown promise in reducing the aggregation of alpha-synuclein protein, another hallmark of PD, where proteins misfold and clump together. It even shows synergistic effects, meaning it might work well alongside other treatments like L-duo-PA.

Speaker 1:

So it's supporting the very neurons typically damaged in Parkinson's and even helping with those protein management issues. What about other challenging conditions like Huntington's or ALS?

Speaker 2:

Yeah, the research extends there too, though again mostly preclinical For Huntington's disease. Those antioxidant properties are crucial, specifically with FRNA has been shown to activate the heat shock response. That's a protective mechanism cells use to deal with stress. This seems to help reduce mutant hunting protein aggregates, those toxic protein clumps, and even improve motor deficits in models For amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Als, the motor neuron disease with a for NA, has shown potential to alleviate disease pathology, improve motor performance and reduce misfolded proteins like SOD1, especially if it's administered early. It also seems to help correct the mislocalization of another protein implicated in ALS called HTTP43, guiding it back to the nucleus where it belongs.

Speaker 1:

These preclinical findings, I mean they certainly paint a picture of a broad neuroprotective spectrum working on multiple fronts. It's like discovering the blueprints, understanding how the engine should work. But the real test, the true road test, has to be how it performs in human clinical trials. Right, what does the human research actually tell us so far about these potentially amazing capabilities?

Speaker 2:

Right, and this brings up an important point. It's where we need to be really clear about the current state of the science. The majority of the detailed studies we've just discussed, especially on specific disease mechanisms, are indeed preclinical Lab dishes, cell cultures, animal models. These studies are absolutely vital for understanding how ashwagandha might work. However, human clinical trials, while they are growing, are still fewer in number and they often focus on healthy subjects or maybe those with mild cognitive impairment, rather than individuals with advanced diagnosed neurodegenerative diseases.

Speaker 1:

Okay, that distinction between potential and proven therapy is really crucial for our listeners to understand, I think. But could you share maybe some of the most compelling highlights from those human studies we do have, particularly around cognitive function?

Speaker 2:

Certainly, and these human trials, even if preliminary for the complex diseases, are still incredibly encouraging for cognitive health overall. For example, one significant study looked at individuals over 35 with mild cognitive impairment. Mci Participants took 300 milligrams of a specific ashwagandha root extract KSM-66, twice daily for eight weeks. Compared to the placebo group, they showed significant improvements in several key areas Memory, executive function, that's things like planning, problem solving.

Speaker 1:

Right the higher level thinking.

Speaker 2:

Exactly. Also sustained attention and information processing speed. Imagine just feeling sharper, more focused, quicker to recall things day to day.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, that sounds pretty good.

Speaker 2:

Another trial, this one with healthy male participants. They took a thousand milligrams a day of ashwagandha extract for just 14 days. They demonstrated reduced reaction time and improved psychomotor function. That could mean quicker reflexes, better coordination, impacting everything from driving to just responding more efficiently in daily life. And even a lower dosage 400 milligrams, in healthy adults helped them maintain alertness, prevent mental fatigue and improved sustained attention and short-term or working memory. This suggests it could be a valuable tool for anyone just looking to boost their daily mental endurance and focus. Those cognitive improvements are very encouraging, especially for general brain health and that mild impairment stage.

Speaker 2:

But, as you rightly emphasized, the narrative for diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's is still very much focused on potential from the preclinical work rather than established treatment Correct. Exactly. These clinical studies do robustly corroborate the animal findings regarding general cognitive enhancement and modulating that cholinergic system which is so important for memory. However and this is where informed guidance from qualified professionals like those at LifeWheelMD becomes absolutely essential the systematic review clearly states that more robust clinical trials involving patients diagnosed with specific neurodegenerative diseases are critically needed. We need those trials to really solidify ashwagandha's role as a potential therapeutic treatment for these complex conditions. It underscores that, while the science is exciting. We're not yet at a point where it's a standalone cure. It's about informed choices, always in consultation with your physician, to ensure safety and efficacy.

Speaker 1:

That's a vital point for our listeners. Okay, so what does this all mean for someone maybe considering ashwagandha? What practical things should they keep in mind?

Speaker 2:

Well, given the research, ashwagandha is certainly a fascinating and promising adaptogen. If you're considering it for general wellness or maybe cognitive support, look for standardized extracts. Often focusing on the root extracts is good, as that's where many of the key with analytes are concentrated. Ksm-66 is one example that's been widely studied and is generally trusted. Dosages in the human studies we mentioned typically range from around 300 milligrams to 600 milligrams daily, sometimes split into two doses.

Speaker 1:

And side effects.

Speaker 2:

It's generally well tolerated but, like any supplement, it's not completely without potential side effects, though these seem rare Things like mild digestive upset or maybe some drowsiness. But the most important thing really is to always consult with an informed physician before adding any new supplement to your regimen, especially if you have existing health conditions or taking other medications. This just ensures it's the right choice for your unique health profile.

Speaker 1:

Okay, that makes sense. So, wrapping this up, what does this all mean for you, our listener? Ashwagandha, this ancient herb rooted deep in Ayurved inflammation, promoting nerve regeneration effectively, helping your brain cells grow and reconnect, and even assisting with that critical task of protein aggregation management. It really seems like a multifaceted natural compound, almost like a master conductor for your brain's well-being.

Speaker 2:

It really is, and it's a powerful reminder. I think that natural solutions, when we understand them through rigorous science, can offer significant evidence-based support for our overall well-being. The journey of discovery into ashwagandha's full capabilities is definitely ongoing and we're excited to see what future research reveals about how we can integrate this ancient wisdom with modern medical science to optimize health and longevity.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, absolutely. This deep dive into ashwagandha really highlights the importance of taking a holistic and informed approach to your health. We really encourage you to always make wise decisions, ideally with the help of informed physicians, and if you're inspired to explore your own health and longevity journey with personalized care, maybe consider connecting with Dr Kumar and the expert team over at LifeWellMDcom.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, we offer innovative services tailored to your unique needs, really bridging that gap between ancient wisdom and modern medical science to help you unlock your optimal health.

Speaker 1:

To learn more and take that crucial first step towards truly informed health and longevity. You can call LifeWellMDcom at 561-210-9999. Today, that number again is 561-210-9999.

Speaker 2:

And just to leave you with something to think about. Here's a provocative thought. If nature holds such complex keys to our well-being like the intricate mechanisms we see in Ashwagandha, what other ancient remedies might be out there just waiting to be unlocked by modern scientific inquiry, and how might they shape the future of health and longevity for all of us?

Speaker 1:

Hmm, food for thought indeed. Thank you so much for joining us on the Deep Dive. We hope you feel more informed and maybe inspired to take charge of your health.