TOP PRODUCTS: Rhodiola Rosea

In response to such huge interest in our comparison of products containing Ashwagandha, we have decided to continue this thread and compare the products containing the extract from Rhodiola Rosea (rose root).

What is Rhodiola Rosea?

Rose root is a herb used for years in traditional medicine. It owes its name to the specific smell of rhizomes and rose-pink tinge. It is commonly also called a golden root or Arctic root.

Thanks to the richness of bioactive compounds, it is mainly used in order to increase vitality, life energy and for general systemic support. It has been proven, that the plant may positively influence cognitive abilities at the moment of their deterioration and reduce physical and mental fatigue caused by stress. Many studies show that the substances which are responsible for positive properties of Rhodiola Rosea are polyphenol compounds, i.e. phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, proanthocyanidins and tannins.

Active ingredients are contained in rhodiola rosea

Phenylpropanoids (rosavine, rosine and rosarine) are cinnamic acid esters with sugars, which are the compounds characteristic only to the group of Rhodiola rosea. They especially influence the increase of psychophysical efficiency and the growth of work effectiveness. By increasing the level of serotonin in the brain, they reduce the symptoms of depression. Moreover, they show precious adaptogen, cardioprotective, antioxidant and antibacterial properties.

Phenylethanol derivatives (salidroside, viridoside, p-tyrosol, heterodontoside) constitute another important group of phenolic compounds. These compounds demonstrate multidirectional pharmacological effect, i.e. counteract exhaustion, protect from the toxic effect of chemical compounds and radiation, slow down the processes of aging and have strong antioxidant properties.

Flavonoids and proanthocyanidins belong to one of the strongest antioxidants. Proanthocyanidins, apart from sweeping away free radicals, also inhibit the process of LDL cholesterol oxidation, thanks to which they reduce the risk of developing atherosclerosis. These compounds have also anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and antimutagenic effects and also they have a protective influence on liver cells.

Since we already know what is contained in the substance, it is worth discussing its effects

Biological properties and functions

The raw materials of rhodiola rosea are used as stimulants and adaptogens. Adaptogenic properties consist in the increase of non-specific immunity to harmful environmental factors and stressors, i.e. pollution, noise, infections, stress. This substance has a positive influence when we are physically and mentally burdened. The extract from rhizomes and roots of this plant has immunostimulating effect, similarly to the preparations Panax ginseng. Moreover, in laboratory animals, the growth of muscle strength has been noticed after applying the extract from rhodiola rosea.

Adaptogen

Adaptogen is a plant, which contributes to the growth in the organism’s immunity to stressful physical, chemical and biological factors by normalizing the work of various organs and systems in the organism. Adaptogenic properties of rhodiola rosea extracts are probably related to their ability to influence hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis (HPTA) and adrenergic sympathetic nervous system

Which product to choose then?

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Now Foods – RHODIOLA

We once again calculated the price of each product, taking into consideration the number of capsules in the packaging, the amount of substance in one capsule and the amount of rosavins in the composition. The product Rhodiola by the company Now Foods contains in its composition only 3% extract from rosavins. It is a standardized extract constituting the base for the majority of products of this kind. For Rhodiolathe price for 1mg of rosavins is 0,065 PLN.

2

Jarrow Formulas – RHODIOLA ROSEA

The company Jarrow Formulas for many years have been focusing on the high quality of their products and this is also the case in this dietary supplement. The preparation contains high quality extract from rose root, containing 5% of rosavins. It makes this preparation much better as for the quality in comparison to 3% extracts, which contain less rosavins and polyphenols.The product by the company Jarrow Formulas contains 60 capsules, 500mg of the extract each, thanks to this, the price for one milligram of rosavins is only 0,059 PLN.

1

Apollo’s Hegemony – RHODIOLA

Similarly to the preparation by the company Jarrow Formulas, the company Apollo’s Hegemony used in its product the extract from rose root with the minimal 5% content of rosavins. It places both products high in the hierarchy of supplements containing the ingredient in question. Additionally, we have the information about the content of polyphenols. Rhodiola contains 60% of polyphenols, which is a very interesting piece of news. Let’s move on to the most important factor, i.e. the price for 1mg of rosavins. In Rhodiola it is 0,058 PLN. All the above described products contain standardization of their extracts which is confirmed by appropriate certificates. We skipped the products that don’t have such quality certificates on purpose. We hope that thanks to our articles we will help many people to choose a proper product.