Adaptogens: A Way to Boost Health as a Component of a Healthy Lifestyle

Health supplements, also known as adaptogens, can be vital for supporting and maintaining optimal health.

A silver lining to the havoc that the global health pandemic has wrought is that health supplements, functional mushrooms, herbs, and other adaptogens have regained their popularity and mass appeal, as they can significantly help support our immune systems and regulate energy, stress, and hormone levels.

Yet adaptogens and their role in helping to promote wellness and vitality has always been somewhat of a controversial and contentious issue. The uneasy attitude and skepticism toward health supplements in the U.S. is largely because in this country, these supplements are not regulated by the FDA, so there is the very real risk that supplements may not contain what they claim to have.

This risk with supplements is amplified by the corrupting nature of capitalism, as exemplified in the case of Fungi Perfecti®, Paul Stamets’ mushroom brand, having found to be subject to counterfeit copies being sold on Amazon with ingredients shown not to meet their purported quality standards. In short, buyer beware: make sure you are buying from reputable sources. (In this case, while Fungi Perfecti® and Host Defense® are reputable names, it’s crucial that one makes sure they are sourced from a reliable company and are in fact the products that they claim to be.) This is also a lesson and a reminder that Amazon is not the best or most reliable site to buy herbal medicine from. (Scroll down to find several, more reputable recommendations.)

Yet, aside from the unfortunately very real risk of there being bad actors (corrupt sellers) in the holistic health and supplements industry, the skepticism of the effectiveness of adaptogens is also largely ingrained in us, as it is predicated on a systematic approach of conventional medicine and the pharmaceutical industry being dismissive and critical of “folk medicines.” As Western science is catching up to recognize the valuable role that adaptogens can play in supporting our health, and as many people find they need natural support outside of the pharmaceutical approach, the health supplement and adaptogen industry is booming once again. As per UCLA Health, “In parts of Asia and India, people have been using adaptogens for centuries to treat a variety of ailments. In the United States, medical experts are beginning to recognize the value of these supplements as the body of research grows” (UCLA Health, 2022).

Being a discerning consumer is key, and unfortunately sometimes labels are misleading. Nonetheless, there is a reason why health supplements, also called nutraceuticals and most recently re-branded as adaptogens, have not only retained their allure, but have grown in popularity in recent years. Suddenly functional mushrooms, elderberry, and other supplements have become trendy, and not without good reason. Adaptogens can offer significant and varied potential benefits. However, as they can have interactions with conventional medicines, it is recommended to consult with a healthcare professional and to do one’s own research before starting or working with any new supplements.

There are many ways in which adaptogens can help us, including:

Filling Nutritional Gaps: Supplements can provide essential vitamins and minerals that might be lacking in your diet, helping to maintain and optimize overall health and vitality.

Boosting Energy: Certain supplements can support energy levels. Here are a few examples:

• Iron: Iron supplements can help combat fatigue and improve energy levels, especially for individuals with iron-deficiency anemia.
• B Vitamins: B-complex vitamins, like B12 and B6, are crucial for energy metabolism and may help reduce fatigue. They are also essential for regulating hormone levels.
• Rhodiola Rosea: Rhodiola rosea is an adaptogen that may enhance stamina and reduce fatigue.
• Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10): This antioxidant can aid in the production of energy within cells and help support a healthy metabolism.
• Ginseng: Various types of ginseng are believed to boost energy, reduce tiredness, and provide stress support.

Supporting Specific Health Goals: Supplements like Omega-3 fatty acids for heart health, calcium and vitamin D for bone health, probiotics for digestive health, or ashwagandha and magnesium for hormone regulation, can help individuals work towards specific health objectives.

Strengthening the Immune System: Vitamins like vitamin C and zinc, and other supplements such as elderberry, turkey tail mushrooms, cordyceps, and maitake mushrooms are known for their immune-boosting properties, helping the body ward off infections.

Enhancing Mental Well-being: Certain supplements, such as fish oil (rich in omega-3s), St. John’s Wort, chaga mushrooms, lion’s mane, and reishi mushrooms have been associated with improved mood and cognitive function.

The efficacy, safety, and dosage requirements for supplements can greatly vary from person to person, and they also vary depending on one’s gender, stressors, environment, and life stage. Adaptogens should be incorporated to complement to a balanced diet, not to act as a replacement for eating a diet composed largely of fresh, whole foods.

Many herbalists, functional medicine practitioners, health coaches, and other experts in natural health offer free resources online to help people regulate their energy levels and become empowered to help support their health. (My own page can be found at WellnessAwakening.) If it feels overwhelming to sift through the information, please also know that there are health coaches and functional medicine professionals who can support you, in-person, remotely, and with a host of free resources (including articles, blogs, podcasts, and free videos on YouTube).

Here are a few well-known herbalists and resources that provide valuable information:

• Rosemary Gladstar: Rosemary Gladstar is a renowned herbalist known for her expertise in herbal medicine, and can be found via her website, The Science and Art of Herbalism. She has written books on herbalism and offers online resources on herbal remedies and on working with herbs to support energy and overall health.
• Aviva Romm: Dr. Aviva Romm is a physician and herbalist who specializes in women’s health. She shares extensive information on her website and social media platforms, often discussing the use of herbs and supplements to address energy-related and women’s health issues. (She is on Instagram and has a free e-book on adaptogens you can access by subscribing to her mailing list.)
• Dr. Josh Axe: Dr. Josh Axe is a certified doctor of natural medicine and a clinical nutritionist. His websites, Ancient Nutrition and draxe.com, as well as his YouTube channel offer information on natural health and working with supplements and herbs for energy and vitality.
• Mountain Rose Herbs: This renowned herbal company and supplier provides free educational resources on herbalism, including a free journal, blog posts, and a podcast, on working with herbs and supplements to promote optimal health.
• Herbal Academy: The Herbal Academy offers a blog and free educational resources on herbalism. According to their website, “The mission of the Herbal Academy is to empower people with the art and science of herbalism through accessible, affordable herbal education that represents many points of view and honors our intrinsic connection to nature.” Their offerings include articles, courses, and recipes that can help you learn about herbal remedies for energy support.
• Tero Isokauppila: Tero Isokauppila, a self-proclaimed “foodpreneur,” is the founder of Four Sigmatic Mushrooms and has worked to help spread awareness and accessibility for working with functional mushrooms and adaptogens for optimal health. His latest book is Healing Adaptogens: The Definitive Guide to Using Super Herbs and Mushrooms for Your Body’s Restoration, Defense, and Performance.
• April Graham: April Graham, who goes by “She is of the Woods” on her social media profiles, is an herbalist based in Oregon who runs Wild Wood Apothecary. She provides many resources and herbs to support energy and immune health on her many channels, including TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. Her slogan for others is that “You are smart enough!” to take care of your health, learn about herbalism, and become empowered to make your own best decisions in support of your health outside of the pharmaceutical industry.

When searching and reading information online, it is important to critically evaluate the sources, read multiple sources, and consult with a healthcare professional, as we all have unique needs and need to be careful of any interactions that adaptogens may have with our lifestyle and medications.

Disclaimer: This information is for informational and educational purposes only and is not to be taken as medical advice.

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References :

Fungi Perfecti. (April 23, 2023). Fungi Perfecti® — Makers of Host Defense® Mushrooms™- Discovers Counterfeit Products with Known Allergens Being Sold on Amazon. Retrieved from https://hostdefense.com/blogs/press-releases/fungi-perfecti-makers-of-host-defense-mushrooms-discovers-counterfeit-products-with-known-allergens-being-sold-on-amazon

Isokauppila, Tero. (March 14, 2019). The healing power of mushrooms [video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZnGwFblXpA&t=2s&ab_channel=TalksatGoogle

Isokauppila, Tero and Broida, Danielle Ryan. (September 27, 2022). Healing Adaptogens: The Definitive Guide to Using Super Herbs and Mushrooms for Your Body's Restoration, Defense, and Performance. https://books.google.com/books/about/Healing_Adaptogens.html?id=SYOPEAAAQBAJ&source=kp_book_description

Merry Jane. (2020). The CBD Solution: How Cannabis, CBD, and Other Plant Allies Can Change Your Everyday Life. Lauren Wilson, Ed. Chronicle Books.

Powell, Martin. (June 6, 2018). Why all mushrooms are magic [video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fITifKJwZZc&ab_channel=BrightonNaturalHealthCentre

UCLA Health. (February 16, 2022). What are Adaptogens and Should You Be Taking Them? https://www.uclahealth.org/news/what-are-adaptogens-and-should-you-be-taking-them

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