Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)

Ashwagandha has been researched as a supplement to promote overall health through stress reduction by antioxidant activity. (3, 4, 5)  I purchased some after noticing benefits from an ashwagandha containing beverage.  After just one pill I can notice a difference in overall mood and focus.  One study showed positive effects for the immune system, even overriding the effects of other drugs. (2)  In another study, ashwagandha was shown to act as an antioxidant but not in the same way as Vitamin C, A, or other common antioxidants.  Rather, it acted in a separate pathway to accomplish its free-radical scavenging. (3)

A study evaluated the contents of various Ashwagandha supplements and found widely differing concentrations of Withanolides, Withanone, and Withaferin A, which are the active constituents in Ashwagandha. (6)  Nutrigold has many claims of why their product is effective and superior.  Ashwagandha Gold has less than .1% Withaferin A which is claimed by Nutrigold to have cytotoxic effects. Cytotoxicity is confirmed as well as other immunosupressive effects. (6,7)

1 A comparative pharmacological investigation of Ashwagandha and Ginseng
2 Studies on the immunomodulatory effects of Ashwagandha
3 Effect of ashwagandha on lipid peroxidation in stress-induced animals
4 Antistressor effect of Withania somnifera
5 Scientific Basis for the Therapeutic Use of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha): A Review
6 Comparison of Different Ashwagandha Products
7 Cytotoxic Effects of Withaferin A
8 Long list of research