Ashwagandha for athletes: ease discomfort, improve inflammation response and support endurance

               Muscles aching after your workout? Knees screaming when you run? Step away from the Advil—we have a better solution.

Ashwagandha, used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years, has been shown to reduce inflammation, relieve pain and ease sore knees—without the sometimes-serious gastrointestinal effects common with ibuprofen and other NSAIDS. This traditional, natural herb is rich in withanolides—compounds with proven anti-inflammatory benefits—and it's a safe but powerful analgesic that soothes the nervous system's response to pain.^{[1], [2]}

Dozens of studies suggest supplementing with ashwagandha can lower inflammation, relieve soreness and ease joint pain.^{[3], [4]} In one trial, 250 to 500 mg of ashwagandha significantly reduced knee pain, stiffness and swelling, without gastrointestinal disturbances or other side effects.^[5]

If that's not enough to convince you, consider this: other research links ashwagandha supplementation with significant increases in muscle mass, strength, energy and endurance.^{[6], [7]}

And because it's an adaptogen, ashwagandha works with the body's own systems to reduce stress, ease anxiety and support a healthy immune response.^{[8], [9]}

Learn more on our Ashwagandha Ingredient page.

Footnotes

 [1] White PT S et al. Natural withanolides in the treatment of chronic diseases. Anti-inflammatory Nutraceuticals and Chronic Diseases. 2016; 928: 329–373.

 [2] Singh N et al. An overview on ashwagandha: a rasayana (rejuvenator) of Ayurveda. Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. 2011; 8(5 Suppl): 208–213.

 [3] Mishra LC et al. Scientific basis for the therapeutic use of Withania somnifera (ashwagandha): a review. Altern Med. 2000;5:334–346.

 [4] Subbaraju GV et al. Ashwagandhanolide, a bioactive dimeric thiowithanolide isolated from the roots of Withania somnifera. J Nat Prod. 2006 Dec; 69(12):1790-2.

 [5] Ramakanth GSH et al. A randomized, double blind placebo controlled study of efficacy and tolerability of Withaina somnifera extracts in knee joint pain. J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2016 Jul-Sep; 7(3): 151–157.

 [6] Wankhede S et al. Examining the effect of Withania somnifera supplementation on muscle strength and recovery: a randomized controlled trial. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2015; 12: 43.

 [7] Choudhary B et al. Efficacy of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera [L.] Dunal) in improving cardiorespiratory endurance in healthy athletic adults. Ayu. 2015 Jan-Mar; 36(1): 63–68.

 [8] Auddy B et al. A standardized Withania somnifera extract significantly reduces stress-related parameters in chronically stressed humans: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. J Am Nutraceutical Assoc. 2008;11:50–6.

 [9] Chandrasekhar K et al. A prospective, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of safety and efficacy of a high-concentration full-spectrum extract of ashwagandha root in reducing stress and anxiety in adults. Indian J Psychol Med. 2012 Jul-Sep; 34(3): 255–262.