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Ingredient

Ashwagandha Extract

An adaptogenic botanical extract that helps the body manage physiological stress, reduce cortisol levels, and support mental focus.

What it is

Ashwagandha Extract is derived from the roots of Withania somnifera, a nightshade plant native to India and Northeast Africa. In dietary supplements, high-concentration root extracts are standardized to contain active withanolide glycosides (typically 2.5% to 5%). When formulated in Velobiotics supplements, ashwagandha works alongside live microencapsulated probiotic strains that endure stomach acid via supercritical-CO2 lipid coating to reach the intestinal lumen.

Also known as: Withania somnifera, KSM-66, Indian Ginseng

Key benefits

  • Helps lower serum cortisol levels and mitigate physiological responses to chronic stress.
  • Promotes mental clarity, cognitive focus, and balanced mood stability.
  • Supports natural testosterone production and physical vitality in active men.
  • Encourages restful sleep quality and recovery from daily physical fatigue.

Amplified by probiotics

Ashwagandha root contains complex withanolide glycosides whose systemic absorption depends on enzymatic deglycosylation in the gastrointestinal tract. Resident gut microbiota, including Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species, produce beta-glucosidases that hydrolyse withanolide glycosides into lipophilic bioactive aglycones such as withaferin A and withanolide A. Concurrently, microencapsulated probiotics strengthen tight junction proteins in the intestinal epithelium, mitigating gut permeability and stress-induced endotoxaemia. Probiotic production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) further calms the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis via neuroendocrine signalling, amplifying ashwagandha's adaptogenic efficacy.

Typical dose

300–600 mg/day (standardized extract)

The evidence

Evidence: strong

Randomized double-blind controlled trials show that full-spectrum ashwagandha root extract significantly reduces serum cortisol, stress scores, and anxiety in stressed adults compared to placebo. Clinical evidence also supports improvements in cognitive executive function, memory, and physical stamina in healthy individuals. (Chandrasekhar 2012, Indian J Psychol Med) (Lopresti 2019, Medicine) (Choudhary 2017, J Diet Suppl)

  1. 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;34(3):255-262. PubMed ↗
  2. Lopresti AL, et al. An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2019;98(37):e17186. PubMed ↗
  3. Choudhary D, et al. Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal) Root Extract in Improving Memory and Cognitive Functions. J Diet Suppl. 2017;14(6):599-612. PubMed ↗

Safety & who should check first

Well tolerated in clinical trials up to 12 weeks; mild digestive upset may occur initially. Avoid use during pregnancy, lactation, or in severe autoimmune conditions without medical supervision.