Supplement Facts

Rhodiola rosea root extract has been the subject of 21 human and 42 animal studies that tested its beneficial effects for mental performance, physical performance, antioxidant activity and cardio-protective performance, to name a few. After reading the various studies and becoming more familiar with this herb, it is quite evident that Rhodiola rosea is indeed the premier adaptogen. An adaptogen is a safe substance that enables the body to resist adverse stressors whether they are physical, chemical, or biological, while assisting recovery and maintaining homeostasis.

The information regarding pharmacological activity and chemical composition we attained through Dr. Zakirs’ research proved to be very valuable to our Quality Assurance department as we had analyzed samples from various vendors before qualifying a true Rhodiola rosea extract powder. Analytical testing performed at two independent 3rd party laboratories utilizing High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) confirmed that our chosen vendor was indeed providing us with the authentic rosea species of Rhodiola and not one of the other 19 known species that have been marketed world wide with inferior chemical compositions completely void of the most active compounds known as Rosavins.

All known species of Rhodiola contain an active compound known as salidroside and in the past were tested and standardized to contain a minimum .6%of it. Research by Russian scientists seemed to indicate that the rosea specie produced dramatically superior results in various animal and human studies and they set out to investigate why. Years of intensive research and the development of a new HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatographs) analysis method enabled them to discover a group of compounds peculiar to only the rosea species called Rosavins. These Rosavins are actually comprised of rosavin, rosin and rosarin. The bottom line is that based on decades of Russian and European research the only Rhodiola product that has been clinically tested and proven safe for human health is the Rhodiola rosea root extract standardized to a minimum 3 percent Rosavins and a minimum 1 % salidrosides.

“In the recesses of the mind a melee between Rhodiola rosea and stress ensues. It’s a battle with high stakes: your physical and mental health.”

From “Rhodiola Rosea for Chronic Stress Disorder” National Bioscience Corporation 2002

If someone told you they knew of an herb that was a powerful antioxidant, supported the immune system, and regulated the neurotransmitters that help you deal with stress and its physical and psychological effects1,2,3,4, thereby improving the quality of your life, would you be interested? If you answered ‘YES’, then read on. That herb is available today, and it’s called Rhodiola.

Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea), also known as “golden root”, is one of over 200 different species of Rhodiola, 20 of which are currently used in traditional medical systems in Asia. In fact, Rhodiola has been used in the traditional medical systems of Eastern Europe and Asia for hundreds of years as a means to stimulate the nervous system, decrease depression and fatigue, and even to help prevent high altitude sickness.

For the past quarter century, Russian and Scandinavian scientists have studied Rhodiola and its constituents. However, much of this research was unavailable to Western scientists until recently, one of the reasons we haven’t heard about Rhodiola until the past few years. Their research indicates that Rhodiola has diverse benefits on physiological functions, including central nervous system and cardiovascular function. Most of this research was done on Russian athletes. In fact, it’s now known that Russian athletes used Rhodiola for many decades before Western medicine became aware of it, and it’s believed to be part of the reason Russian athletes were such formidable foes in athletic events of the past half century. Their ability to quickly adapt to the unique stress of athletic competition took on legendary proportions. And this was partially due to supplementation with Rhodiola.

The results of this research led them to classify Rhodiola as an “adaptogen”. The Russian scientist Lazarev (1947) established the criteria for an adaptogen3, and his definition is still valid today:

However, mutating microbes are only part of the problem confronting our immune systems. Factors such as environmental pollution and over-processing of foods are believed by many researchers to play a major role in many health conditions. Which means, more than ever before, you need to make sure your immune system is functioning at peak efficiency.