Rhodiola and Testosterone: Rhodiola Rosea Benefits for Men
Rhodiola and Testosterone
Rhodiola is also known as golden root. There are over 200 different species of Rhodiola which are currently being used in different medicines.
One of the great benefits of this herb is its ability to boost testosterone levels.
It has also been used traditionally for a number of other health benefits like stimulating the nervous system, decreasing fatigue and depression and preventing altitude sickness.
Keep reading to find out more about this amazing herb.
Research on Rhodiola
A lot of research has been done on Rhodiola in the past quarter-century by Russian scientists. But most of this research was unavailable to Western scientists because Rhodiola was not popular until the last few years.
What the research has shown is that Rhodiola has many diverse benefits including increasing testosterone and HGH (human growth hormone) levels.
It is believed that Russian athletes used to take Rhodiola, which made them into formidable athletes.
Scientists have classified Rhodiola as an “adaptogen”. Adaptogens are herbs that improve the health of the adrenal glands. Adrenals are the glands that respond to stress by increasing the levels of cortisol. Cortisol, in turn, decreases levels of testosterone.
Rhodiola and Testosterone
There are many studies which back the claim that Rhodiola reduces fatigue and improves stamina. This means that it also reduces the stress hormone cortisol, which suppresses testosterone.
Here is some scientific data in this regard.
1) A double blinded study of the Standard roots of Rhodiola was done to see its effect in the treatment of patients with stress-related fatigue. It was a double-blind, placebo-controlled study with parallel groups. Participants were both males and females who were selected according to the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare diagnostic criteria for fatigue syndrome.
About 60 individuals were divided into two groups. The first group received four tablets of Rhodiola extract; whereas, the second group received four placebo tablets daily. The effects of the extract with respect to the quality of life, symptoms of fatigue and depression were observed. The data was collected and analyzed. There were no serious side effects seen with the use of extract.
Many improvements were seen in both the groups like improvement in mental health. Subjects in both the groups had low cortisol levels. But when the two groups were compared closely then it was found that Rhodiola had a greater ability to reduce cortisol levels.
The researchers stated in the conclusion of the study that the repeated intake of Rhodiola extracts have anti-fatigue effects which increase mental performance and reduces cortisol levels in response to stress.
2) Another study was done to see the effect of Rhodiola and Schizandra on stress by suppressing the increase of cortisol levels. The subjects of this study were rabbits instead of human beings. The blood levels of stress-activated protein kinase, nitric oxide, testosterone, and cortisol were determined in animals before administration of placebo.
The rabbits were divided into two groups. One group was given Rhodiola extracts and the other one was kept in placebo.
The cortisol levels were significantly increased in the placebo group whereas the cortisol levels of the animals remained unchanged who were administered Rhodiola extracts.
Rhodiola was the most active inhibitor of stress and improved testosterone levels too. The researchers suggested that the inhibitory effects of Rhodiola are due to its antidepressant activity.
3) A study was done in 2007 to see the effect of Rhodiola in combination with Ginkgo Biloba on endurance performance. About seventy healthy individuals were either given Rhodiola-Gingko Capsule (RGC) or the placebo group for seven weeks. The endurance, testosterone, and cortisol levels were measured.
Results showed that cortisol levels remained unchanged in the RGC group whereas they were significantly increased in the placebo group. The researchers stated at the end of the study that the combination of Rhodiola and Ginkgo Biloba is more beneficial for decreasing cortisol and improving testosterone levels than either of them administered alone.
The above studies are good news because high levels of cortisol levels are harmful to testosterone. Your testicles produce an enzyme known as 11BHSD – 1, which protects the testosterone molecules from the harmful effects of cortisol. But when the cortisol levels become too high, this enzyme starts to lose its function and levels of testosterone start to go down.
So a herb that lowers cortisol levels is going to be quite beneficial for boosting testosterone production.
Some More Studies
A study was filed back in 2000. The study showed that when a group of healthy individuals consumed 2 grams of Rhodiola for 2 months then their testosterone levels increased by 70% compared to the placebo. The research was approved in 2002.
Another study was performed to determine whether the sports performance of athletes increased after the intake of Rhodiola supplements. Athletes were given Rhodiola supplementation for about 4 weeks. Researchers found that the performance of athletes improved after this trial.
Researchers stated that the increase in performance could be attributed to an increase in testosterone levels.
Other Health Benefits of Rhodiola
There is a lot of research to show the link between Rhodiola and testosterone but there are also many other health benefits of Rhodiola which include:
Rhodiola Makes You Happy – Stress increases cortisol levels and causes fatigue, which leads to burnout. Rhodiola fights fatigue and improves energy levels.
Rhodiola Enhances Memory –Rhodiola enhances memory by increasing brain activity. A study was done in which rats were given a Rhodiola dose of 0.1 ml. The intake of Rhodiola increased their memory after 24 hours.
Rhodiola Improves Thyroid Health –It has been seen that Rhodiola improves thyroid health. A study was done in which patients suffering from thyroid cancer needed a hormonal withdrawal as a part of their treatment. The subjects were given Rhodiola extracts. The patients felt at ease during hormone withdrawal.
Rhodiola Dosage to Take
Rhodiola comes in many different forms but the best way to consume it is in tablet form. You should take about 300 to 1800 mg of Rhodiola tablets when you wake up each morning.
It is important to take it in the morning because the stress hormone is at its peak when you wake up in the morning. Taking Rhodiola will reduce cortisol levels which will help to increase your testosterone levels.
A good supplement company for Rhodiola is from NOW Foods
Conclusion
I hope this article has helped you to see the link between Rhodiola and testosterone and all of the health benefits associated with this herb.
