What Are Adaptogens? Adaptogens are plants, herbs, or roots that help the body resist stressors and maintain overall balance in the central nervous system. Uniquely, adaptogens can reduce stress and anxiety while also promoting increased energy. Adaptogens primarily act on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, a complex system of glands, receptors, and hormones that help modulate the stress response. In addition to mitigating stress, some adaptogens benefit weight loss, promote mental and physical energy, and support metabolism. How Do Adaptogens Work? When we encounter a stressful situation—whether physical or emotional—our bodies go through a physiological stress response called the general adaptation syndrome (GAS). There are three stages of GAS: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion. The alarm stage is our fight-or-flight response—heart rate increases, and the adrenal glands are called into action to quickly release adrenaline and cortisol. The second stage, resistance, is just what it sounds like—you become more resistant to the stressor, but it can still cause high cortisol, irritability, and poor concentration Lastly, exhaustion—also known as burnout—occurs if you do not resolve the stress that initially triggered the GAS response. In response to stress, adaptogens work to make it easier for your body to cope with the “resistance” phase and prevent it from reaching “exhaustion.” This resistance, or adaptation, is designed to help get you through stressful situations and back to homeostasis, which relieves the adrenal glands and reduces cortisol levels. Can Cortisol Cause Weight Gain? One of the leading reasons why some adaptogenic herbs can help with weight loss is because they lower cortisol levels. Cortisol is our primary stress hormone, but it also is vital for regulating blood sugar, inflammation, and immune system functioning. Under stressful conditions, cortisol and adrenaline are pumped out from the adrenal glands, which triggers symptoms you may have experienced before an important public speaking event—increased heart rate, sweat output, and energy levels. While cortisol certainly is important, we need it in a Goldilocks-style amount—not too much, not too little. Without any cortisol, your body will develop adrenal insufficiency, eventually leading to a fatal condition called adrenal crisis. But, we don’t want too much cortisol either. When cortisol levels are chronically elevated—like if you’re constantly stressed out—undesirable symptoms can occur, including weight gain, increased appetite, trouble concentrating, mood changes, irritability, and fatigue. Key Takeaways : Adaptogens are herbs, roots, or plants that modulate the stress response, which lowers cortisol levels and can benefit weight loss. In addition to lowering cortisol, adaptogens help weight loss by reducing inflammation, boosting cellular metabolism, and reducing appetite hormones. Several adaptogens have been studied for their role in promoting a healthy body weight, including Schisandra berry, ginseng, turmeric, maca, cordyceps, Rhodiola rosea, ashwagandha, holy basil, and licorice root. ( Next blog we will tell you more in details) Check our adaptogen in our app store : FOUR SIGMATIC Source: https://thenutritioninsider.com/fitness-weight-loss/adaptogens-for-weight-loss/