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For thousands of years, ginseng has been revered in the Orient as an almost
magical natural supplement with amazing benefits for those who use it regularly.
It is said that ginseng will boost the immune system, enhance vitality, increase
physical endurance, increase mental alertness, and treat illnesses like colds,
fevers, headaches, and vomiting. It is even believed to be an aphrodisiac.
Let’s face it, if ginseng actually had the properties to give all the
benefits it is believed to give, people would be taking it with every meal. The
fact is however, the benefits of ginseng fall a far sight short of its
claims.
Commercially, ginseng is taken as tea, in capsules, in liquid form from
viles, or even by eating the root itself. Usually it is taken in doses of around
5 grams at a time. Ginseng is most commonly grown in Asia, particularly in
China, Korea, and Japan, although it can also be found in wooded areas from
Quebec to Missouri.
Ginsenosides, which is the active substance in the root, has been shown to
increase endurance and decrease fatigue in mice when given to them in large
amounts. One study where large amounts were given to humans noted a small
improvement in the endurance levels of those who took it. Also, “Chinese herbal
medicine”, published by the US National Institute of Health, claims the use of
ginseng can raise unusually low blood pressure and can help prevent shock after
heart attacks.
However, there is no good scientific evidence to support any of the claims
made of these alleged benefits of consuming this root. It is also very likely
that when you buy ginseng at the store, it will have a low concentration of
ginsenosides in it. This means that even if ginseng does have some marginal
benefit to offer, you will probably not receive any of them.
The lancet, a British medical journal, published a study done in Sweden which
showed that most commercially sold ginseng products contained only trace amounts
of ginsenosides. These findings concluded that the amount of ginsenosides found
in these products was too insignificant to be of any benefit. Some of the
products, including two sold in the US (“Siberian Ginseng” and “Up Your Gas”),
had almost none of this substance at all.
For the most part, taking small to moderate amounts of ginseng will not be
harmful to you, but you have to ask yourself if dollar for dollar it is worth
taking something which is of no real value or benefit to you. We all can fall
victim to hype made about a product, especially one that has been around for
thousands of years, but when there is no good, proven science to support that
products claims, save your money for a more useful purpose.
Jim O'Neill gives you tons of valuable information on the subjects of
weight loss, fitness, and nutrition to make it easy for you to live a healthy
lifestyle. Sign up now for his free 7 part mini e-course at: www.mrgymfitness.com/minicourse.php
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