Salidroside Benefits from Rhodiola Rosea Extract

There are two chemical compounds which give Rhodiola rosea its unique medicinal properties.

One is known as ‘rosavin,’ and the other is ‘salidroside.’ Both have influence on the nervous system and produce the characteristic adaptogen effects of the Rhodiola herb.

The mechanisms of action for salidroside are a particularly interesting subject for scientific study at the moment, with much research showing that the majority of benefits from Rhodiola Rosea may be mediated by this active ingredient.

Salidroside may reduce anxiety, boost energy levels, improve immunity, reduce the appetite and possibly even protect against the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

However, it is important to note that much is still inconclusive with respect to our understanding of how salidroside works and particularly how it interacts with other compounds within Rhodiola Rosea.

Rhodiola Rosea

Adaptogen Supplement

Mood

Stimulant

Athletics

How It Works:

• Adaptogenic herb for reducing stress
• Boosts energy, focus & mood
• May reduce sleep problems & irritability

Dosage:

Between 200 - 1000 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Possibly Safe

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Introduction to Rhodiola Rosea

When cut, the root of the Rhodiola rosea gives off the aroma of roses. Hence the name Rose Root is often used.

The herb grows in high altitudes in areas of Siberia and northern Asia. It has been used for centuries as a natural energy supplement that could promote increased stamina and mental fortitude.

As an adaptogen, it is believed to promote homeostasis in the body and increase susceptibility to emotional, physicial and environmental stress.

Little has been known about the effects of salidroside until very recently. The Rhodiola herb and its chemical compounds remained relatively undiscovered until the publication of a book in 2002.

The book, by Dr Zakir Ramazanov, revealed research studies which had been undertaken in the Soviet Union during the Cold War into the physician and mental performance boosting effects of rhodiola rosea. The findings proved to have significance in both traditional and alternative medicine.

Rhodiola and Salidroside

Salidroside is not only found in Rhodiola rosea. It is also found in the species Rhodiola crenulata and several other unrelated plants. Rhodiola crenulata is a variety of the herb which is found in China.

Chinese scientists have performed numerous studies into the possible advantages of this compound and found it to be significantly beneficial. Yet further studies comparing Rhodiola rosea with Rhodiola crenulata revealed extracts from the latter plant to be less effective.

It appears that as all species of Rhodiola are not alike, neither are the properties of salidroside contained within each species.

A research study published in 2008 revealed that salidroside was possibly the most effective compound contained within the plant and that the ‘rosavins’ were less effective. However, it is only when all the compounds are combined that the extract produces results which are significantly beneficial and somewhat unique.

Benefits of Rhodiola Rosea

Preparations which have anxiety reducing benefits are known to be ‘anxiolytic.’ Such benefits can either act in a preventative manner or they can act on an on-going condition. Research has established that Rhodiola rosea does indeed have a significant impact on anxiety. A further benefit is that the extract, unlike most commercial compounds, has few if any, side-effects.

Anxiety, depression and other nervous disorders are numerous in modern society. Such anxieties and their resulting symptoms are, under many circumstances, natural chemical reactions. In most cases the physical problems which occur are as a result of the body getting into a state of preparedness for a fight or flight situation.

The symptoms of anxiety clearly reflect this state. Blood flow increases, as does heart rate. Adrenalin and cortisol are released which raises alertness and energy levels. The whole body is prepared to either physically fight or flee. While this can be beneficial in the short-term, there are negative health effects associated with prolonged states of stress and anxiety.

If an individual is continually stressed then chemicals like are being released more often than they should. This results in chronic conditions developing as a direct result of initial anxiety. Rhodiola rosea is observed to reduce levels of stress hormones and support the ability of the body and mind to manage anxiety and external stressors.

Effects of Salidroside

Salidroside has been proven to inhibit release of many chemicals which result in symptoms of stress or anxiety. It not only assists as a preventative measure in resisting stress, but also acts on symptoms which are on-going.

Another of the many factors which distinguishes Rhodiola rosea from other herbs said to reduce anxiety is the speed with which it acts. Many herbal supplements or alternative treatments like Valerian Root act on mild anxiety, but they need to be ‘built up’ in the body over a period of time. Rhodiola rosea extract is said to act on moderate stress and achieve results from initial dosing.

This action is believed to be as a direct result of the action of salidroside on the chemical mechanisms in the body. Salidroside may be able to reduce cortisol levels and increase serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain.

As such, people who buy Rhodiola rosea supplements can expect to see a response from the first few dosages they take. For most people this is preferential to taking supplementation where they may expect to wait weeks or months to achieve a desired result.

The indications are that salidroside has many other potential benefits. Reviews abound which state that, in some people, there can be noticeable appetite suppression.

These anecdotal findings are supported by a study performed in 2010 (iii) which found that salidroside in isolation, can curb binge eating. Rhodiola Rosea is often sold as a weight loss supplement because it boosts metabolic activity and promotes increased energy level for working out.

Other studies on salidroside show that it may mitigate the effects of oxidative stress, acting as an anti-oxidant. The initial results are promising, but not yet conclusive. It has been shown to be beneficial relative to some forms of brain damage resulting from cells being exposed to oxidative stress.

In Alzheimer’s disease it was found that salidroside protect against beta-amyloid plaque build-up. This indicates that salidroside may help protect against the development of Alzheimer’s.

In another study, when used in isolation salidroside performed effectively against oxidative stressors resulting in bone damage. The indicators here are that salidroside may assist in preventing disease resulting in bone degeneration.

Salidrosides on Cancer and Chemotherapy

Research has been performed which investigates the effects of Salidrosides in Rhodiola Rosea on patients with cancer. While some resources cite salidrosides as an effective anti-cancer supplement, this claim may be premature. Such studies are, as research currently stands, extremely limited in value.

Not only are study groups relatively small, but they limit themselves to either one chemotherapy treatment, one type of cancer or one side-effect. Although initial results do not rule out salidroside as being an effective aide in such cases, they cannot be considered reliable in returning significant results.

The current uses and potential of salidroside both as a compound in isolation and in conjunction with other nutrients, appear wide-ranging. Science does not discount the effectiveness of this herb and research studies continue to examine possible advantages to contemporary medicine.

Rhodiola rosea supplements with salidroside are used for a number of health-boosting effects from increased energy to reductions in stress and anxiety to improved memory and focus and improved mood. It is thought to generally strengthen the nervous system and provides adaptogenic benefits to the user.

The extent to which salidroside is responsible for the benefits of Rhodiola is still under scientific review.

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