Relora® is basically a proprietary blend of patented Magnolia officinalis bark extract and a proprietry phellodendron amurense bark extract. It is geared towards cortisol control and stress management.
Rhodiola Rosea is a classic adaptogen that supports strength/endurance/ATP-synthesis/phospocreatine optimization/cAMP/cortisol control.
Rhodiola Rosea all the way
Claims
Rhodiola is most often found in products intended to boost energy and enhance endurance. As such, it is often used as an ingredient in dietary supplements marketed to athletes and individuals concerned with weight loss or energy enhancement. Typical claims for rhodiola include:
* Promotes weight loss
* Aphrodisiac
* Relieves stress
* Enhances athletic performance
* Increases endurance
* Improves oxygen uptake and utilization
* Tonic for well-being
* Immune enhancer
* Improves cognitive function
* Anti-depressant
Scientific Support
In a placebo controlled study of rhodiola rosea's ability to mobilize fatty acids from adipose tissue, 121 subjects were given either rhodiola rosea extract or a placebo and their serum lipid levels were tested at rest and after one hour of exercise. The rhodiola group had 6% greater serum fatty acid levels than the placebo group at rest and 44% greater levels after one hour of exercise. This difference is presumably due to rhodiola rosea's ability to activate adipose lipase, a key enzyme required to burn the body's fat stores.
In an open clinical trial of rhodiola rosea's ability to alleviate symptoms of depression, 128 patients were given extract of rhodiola rosea. The Rhodiola rosea extract was effective in reducing or removing symptoms of depression in 65% of the patients. In another study of 35 men suffering from weak erection, premature ejaculation, or both were treated with 100-150mg of rhodiola rosea extract in an open clinical trial that lasted for three months. 26 of the 35 patients recognized a substantial improvement in sexual function as a result of the treatment.
A placebo-controlled study of rhodiola rosea extract's effects on intellectual performance employed 120 subjects who took a proofreading test. Test subjects took the test both before and after administration of the rhodiola rosea extract or placebo. The test group experienced significant improvement in their scores while the control group did not. Members of each group were continually tested for their ability to perform on the proofreading test for 24 hours after administration of the extract or placebo. The control group experienced a large increase in the number of errors made in the proofreading test while the group receiving rhodiola rosea extract experienced performance decline to a much lesser extent.
Safety
Rhodiola extract is thought to be quite safe. There are no known contraindications or interactions with other drugs/herbs.
Dosage
General dosage recommendations for rhodiola extract are typically in the range of 100-300mg/day of an extract standardized to rosavins (3%).
Description
Rhodiola comprises several species of plants in the Crassulacea family – and is generally found in the arctic mountain regions of Siberia. The root of the plant is used medicinally and is also known as "Arctic root" or "Golden root" and more recently as “Crenulin”. Rhodiola has been used for hundreds of years to treat cold and flu-like symptoms, promote longevity and increase the body's resistance to physical and mental stresses. The Sherpa people of Tibet still use rhodiola as a mental and physical performance aid when working at high altitudes (Sherpa mountaineers typically chew rhodiola on Everest ascents).
Theory
Rhodiola is typically considered to be an “adaptogen” and is believed to invigorate the body and mind to increase resistance to a multitude of stresses. The key active constituents in rhodiola are believed to be rosavin, rosarin, rosin and salidroside.
Scientific Support
In a placebo controlled study of rhodiola rosea's ability to mobilize fatty acids from adipose tissue, 121 subjects were given either rhodiola rosea extract or a placebo and their serum lipid levels were tested at rest and after one hour of exercise. The rhodiola group had 6% greater serum fatty acid levels than the placebo group at rest and 44% greater levels after one hour of exercise. This difference is presumably due to rhodiola rosea's ability to activate adipose lipase, a key enzyme required to burn the body's fat stores.
In an open clinical trial of rhodiola rosea's ability to alleviate symptoms of depression, 128 patients were given extract of rhodiola rosea. The Rhodiola rosea extract was effective in reducing or removing symptoms of depression in 65% of the patients. In another study of 35 men suffering from weak erection, premature ejaculation, or both were treated with 100-150mg of rhodiola rosea extract in an open clinical trial that lasted for three months. 26 of the 35 patients recognized a substantial improvement in sexual function as a result of the treatment.
A placebo-controlled study of rhodiola rosea extract's effects on intellectual performance employed 120 subjects who took a proofreading test. Test subjects took the test both before and after administration of the rhodiola rosea extract or placebo. The test group experienced significant improvement in their scores while the control group did not. Members of each group were continually tested for their ability to perform on the proofreading test for 24 hours after administration of the extract or placebo. The control group experienced a large increase in the number of errors made in the proofreading test while the group receiving rhodiola rosea extract experienced performance decline to a much lesser extent.
Value
Rhodiola extract is valuable as an adaptogen, to increase the body's ability to deal with a number of psychological and physiological stresses. Of particular value is the theoretical role for rhodiola in increasing the body's ability to take up and utilize oxygen - an effect similar to that of cordyceps - which may explain some of the non-stimulant “energizing” effects attributed to both supplements.
References
1. Linh PT, Kim YH, Hong SP, Jian JJ, Kang JS. Quantitative determination of salidroside and tyrosol from the underground part of Rhodiola rosea by high performance liquid chromatography. Arch Pharm Res 2000 Aug;23(4):349-52.
2. Lishmanov IuB, Naumova AV, Afanas'ev SA, Maslov LN. Contribution of the opioid system to realization of inotropic effects of Rhodiola rosea extracts in ischemic and reperfusion heart damage in vitro. Eksp Klin Farmakol 1997 May-Jun;60(3):34-6.
3. Maslova LV, Kondrat'ev BIu, Maslov LN, Lishmanov IuB. The cardioprotective and antiadrenergic activity of an extract of Rhodiola rosea in stress. Eksp Klin Farmakol 1994 Nov-Dec;57(6):61-3.
4. Rege NN, Thatte UM, Dahanukar SA. Adaptogenic properties of six rasayana herbs used in Ayurvedic medicine. Phytother Res 1999 Jun;13(4):275-91.
5. Spasov AA, Wikman GK, Mandrikov VB, Mironova IA, Neumoin VV. A double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study of the stimulating and adaptogenic effect of Rhodiola rosea SHR-5 extract on the fatigue of students caused by stress during an examination period with a repeated low-dose regimen. Phytomedicine 2000 Apr;7(2):85-9.
6. Wang S, Wang FP. Studies on the chemical components of Rhodiola crenulata. Yao Hsueh Hsueh Pao. 1992;27(2):117-20.
7. Wang S, You XT, Wang FP. HPLC determination of salidroside in the roots of Rhodiola genus plants. Yao Hsueh Hsueh Pao. 1992;27(11):849-52.
8. Xu J, Xie J, Feng P, Su Z. Oxygen transfer characteristics in the compact callus aggregates of Rhodiola sachalinensis. Chin J Biotechnol 1998;14(2):99-107.
9. Yoshikawa M, Shimada H, Horikawa S, Murakami T, Shimoda H, Yamahara J, Matsuda H. Bioactive constituents of Chinese natural medicines. IV. Rhodiolae radix. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 1997 Sep;45(9):1498-503.
10. Zhang S, Wang J, Zhang H. Chemical constituents of Tibetan medicinal herb Rhodiola kirilowii. Chung Kuo Chung Yao Tsa Chih 1991 Aug;16(8):483, 512.
11. Zong Y, Lowell K, Ping JA, Che CT, Pezzuto JM, Fong HH. Phenolic constituents of Rhodiola coccinea, a Tibetan folk medicine. Planta Med 1991 Dec;57(6):589.
