Coop's Corner #10: Boerhaavia Diffusa

mr.cooper69

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Boerhaavia Diffusa



Many of you may be familiar with the term "adaptogen." Adaptogens are, in essence, plants with constituents that help the body adapt to various stresses. By optimizing the response to negative external stimuli, bodily function is preserved in a variety of settings. Specific to bodybuilding, adaptogens can help optimize hormones like cortisol, improve CNS recovery, improve exercise performance (especially during challenging workouts), and much more. The big 3 in traditional medicine are the well-known Ashwaghanda, Bacopa Monierri, and Rhodiola Rosea. But one particularly interesting adaptogen that you may not have heard of is B. Diffusa, which is acclaimed for various benefits in the Eastern world, but has only recently undergone mammalian trials for evidence-based effects.


Glucose Control/GDA effects

One very notable effect of B. diffusa is its ability to reduce blood glucose. Personally, I had no knowledge of this benefit prior to digging deeper into the literature, and I was very impressed by the potency of the plant in doing this. We often see compounds like banaba, bitter melon etc in GDA products, but based on the evidence, it looks like B diffusa actually outperforms these "classic GDAs" as far as magnitude of effect is concerned.

In one study on diabetic rats, B. diffusa controlled blood glucose in a manner equipotent and even more effective than the most effective anti-diabetic drug used in clinical practice for Type II DM: Metformin [1]. The fact that a clinical control was used in the study was very cool, and this appears to be a trend in other B diffusa studies as well.

For instance, another trial showed that B. diffusa was effective as a GDA in not only diabetic rats, but in normal rats as well. This is obviously important to us, since most of us aren't type II diabetics, so the fact that it works in healthy populations is reassuring.

In this study, B diffusa was compared against another clinical anti-diabetic drug: Glibenclamide. Once again, B diffusa was found to be more effective than Glibenclamide in controlling blood glucose [2]...again, very very impressive. It also improved plasma lipids like cholesterol and triglycerides, making it heart healthy as well. Another trial also compared B diffusa to Glibenclamide and again found it more effective...this means the results are reliable and reproducible, and it is just one more of several trials demonstrating the efficacy of B diffusa as a GDA [3] [4].


Suffice to say, having been previously unaware of this effect of the plant, I was pretty pleased with the breadth of data demonstrating GDA effects, and I suspect this plant will find its way into GDA products down the road.

Hormonal Optimization - Cortisol and Estrogen

As far as cortisol control is concerned, an effect common to almost all adaptogens is reducing cortisol when it gets too high. Cortisol optimization is superior to reducing cortisol, since cortisol is an essential hormone and should not be suppressed indiscriminately. Rather, optimization is the best approach, and B. diffusa does just that in in vivo models [5].

As far as estrogen goes, B diffusa has a dual MOA for reducing estrogen pathway expression. First, it is a mild SERM, capable of displacing estrogen from its receptor and preventing downstream effects. More importantly though, we once again see the adaptogenic effects at play, as it can actually downregulate the estrogen receptor. This is a known mechanism of potent clinical anti-estrogens, and B. diffusa was actual found to have an in vitro potency comparable to the SERD known as Faslodex [7][8]. So by both blocking and downregulating expression of the estrogen receptor, estrogen levels can be optimized.

Diuresis and "Hardening"

Many consumers who have used B diffusa report a "muscle hardening" effect. What's likely occurring is actually diuresis, as B diffusa has been used for centuries as a natural diuretic and may be one of the more potent herbs in nature at achieving this, with up to a 220% increase in extra water loss noted in vivo [9-11]. This could be beneficial for reducing blood pressure and preventing kidney stones, but the main benefit to bodybuilders is the cosmetic effect: less water retention in extracellular tissues makes the muscles more prominent and "cut up." Human clinical trials do exist demonstrating the diuretic effect, and it is prominent even in people with nephrotic syndrome (which is characterized by severe edema/fluid retention).

Overall Health

Obviously the focus of many bodybuilders is not their overall health, but I think we don't place enough emphasis on maintaining proper bodily function, so anything that can benefit one's well-being should not be ignored. B diffusa has innumerable studies demonstrating effects wherein it may:

1. Optimize immune function
2. Improve liver and kidney function
3. Reduce pain
4. Improve antioxidant status


That concludes this week's Coop's Corner article. I thought it was very cool how relatively unexplored this adaptogen is in the supplement realm, particularly for the GDA effects which are quite potent, but also for hormonal optimization and a cosmetic, leaning-out look.

Stay tuned for next week's article!

References

1. Antihyperglycaemic and renoprotective effect of Boerhaavia diffusa ... - PubMed - NCBI
2. Antidiabetic effect of Boerhavia diffusa: effect on serum and tissu... - PubMed - NCBI
3. Antidiabetic activity of Boerhaavia diffusa L.: effect on hepatic k... - PubMed - NCBI
4. Antioxidant effect of Boerhavia diffusa L. in tissues of alloxan in... - PubMed - NCBI
5. Hypoglycaemic effects of some plant extracts are possibly mediated ... - PubMed - NCBI
6. An in vitro study on antiproliferative and antiestrogenic effects o... - PubMed - NCBI
7. Activation of pS2 gene transcription is a primary response to estro... - PubMed - NCBI
8. Cloning of cDNA sequences of hormone-regulated genes from the MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line.
9. Aqueous extract of Boerhaavia diffusa root ameliorates ethylene gly... - PubMed - NCBI
10. Effect of Unex on ethylene glycol-induced urolithiasis in rats. - PubMed - NCBI
11. Studies on medicinal properties of Convolvulus pluricaulis and Boer... - PubMed - NCBI
 
kbayne

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Awesome info and write up Coop!

Dose seems to be anywhere from 200-500mg/kg going by studies linked.

Any idea of optimal dose for GDA purposes?
 
Auslifter

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another epic write up good job man. brb drinking my mango erase pro powder
 
Driven2lift

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Love it. Subbed to yet another.

Still voting for PES to release a GDA next year
 

McBurly

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Is this a hint towards a future PES product? hmmmm
 
zcol94

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This looks promising.. And if pes drops a gda I'll be all over it
 

ma70

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Suffice to say, having been previously unaware of this effect of the plant, I was pretty pleased with the breadth of data demonstrating GDA effects, and I suspect this plant will find its way into GDA products down the road.
PES GDA incoming? :D
 
kbayne

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Just so everyone is understanding, Cyrus does these write-ups on these single ingredients for everyone to get information on unique ingredients and their purpose.

Just seems everyone is taking it that he writes them simply to promote PES products, which isn't the case :)

That said, I am very interested in the GDA effects of B. Diffusa myself.
 

De__eB

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Just so everyone is understanding, Cyrus does these write-ups on these single ingredients for everyone to get information on unique ingredients and their purpose.

Just seems everyone is taking it that he writes them simply to promote PES products, which isn't the case :)

That said, I am very interested in the GDA effects of B. Diffusa myself.
But they're primarily here to promote PES products (which is totally fine, educated consumers are good consumers), or did I miss the ones he wrote about ingredients PES doesn't even sell :p
 
kbayne

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But they're primarily here to promote PES products (which is totally fine, educated consumers are good consumers), or did I miss the ones he wrote about ingredients PES doesn't even sell :p
I believe there are actually a few that aren't in PES products. There are 10 of these and I don't feel like searching for every single one but you feel free to search and find out :)
 
blacklac

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But they're primarily here to promote PES products (which is totally fine, educated consumers are good consumers), or did I miss the ones he wrote about ingredients PES doesn't even sell :p

Norvaline and Glutamine are not in a PES product that I know of. Can't remember if there are any more off the top of my head. Most do seem to be in PES/AS products.
 
heybeavis1

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Norvaline and Glutamine are not in a PES product that I know of. Can't remember if there are any more off the top of my head. Most do seem to be in PES/AS products.
I think there was Norvaline in the oldie Enhanced. PLEASE CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG
 
kbayne

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heybeavis1

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It wasn't in Enhanced.
Thanks kbayne ! Chit, too many "ine" ingredients in the world to figure´em out :1zhelp:
The cool thing about PES though is that all ingredients has a purpose, and in correct amounts.
Not to get too much out of topic but where PES stands in the current supplement market ? We all know that PES makes top notch and science-proven supplements, but people still buying heaps of M-tech, Opt, NutrX chit
 
kbayne

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Thanks kbayne ! Chit, too many "ine" ingredients in the world to figure´em out :1zhelp: The cool thing about PES though is that all ingredients has a purpose, and in correct amounts. Not to get too much out of topic but where PES stands in the current supplement market ? We all know that PES makes top notch and science-proven supplements, but people still buying heaps of M-tech, Opt, NutrX chit
For sure. We focus on science and innovation when formulating products and that is why you don't see us coming out with new products every other month like many companies.

It's nice to have people like Josh, Coop, and Synapsin formulating the products.
 
haiz69

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Great write-up as always coop. Very interesting.
 
breezy11

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Thanks Coop.
 
nattydisaster

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This has been the first ingredient in Erase Pro since its release, and what separates Erase Pro from Erase. I think it gets overlooked often and all people want to talk about are the AI's in anti-estrogens. But here we have released an ingredient with remarkable SERM-like properties, something that is never seen in the supplement industry, and cortisol data on top of that.
 
SwolenONE

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Very informative post Coop, I didnt know much about this particular ingredient until now.
 
mcgeier

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This has been the first ingredient in Erase Pro since its release, and what separates Erase Pro from Erase. I think it gets overlooked often and all people want to talk about are the AI's in anti-estrogens. But here we have released an ingredient with remarkable SERM-like properties, something that is never seen in the supplement industry, and cortisol data on top of that.
But isnt the dose used in Erase Pro too low to actually do something? i mean if you calculate the doses used i the studys you come up with at least 1gram a day for someone very small.
 
nattydisaster

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But isnt the dose used in Erase Pro too low to actually do something? i mean if you calculate the doses used i the studys you come up with at least 1gram a day for someone very small.
Some of the studies have a higher HED, some lower. Unfortunately the studies do not test multiple doses to show a dose-dependent relationship, so a judgement can't really be made either way as X amount is too much but X amount isnt enough. What we did when we made Erase Pro in 2012 was first sent out B. Diffusa only capsules to our group of unbiased testers and gauged our feedback from there.

The largest thing people notice in comparison of Erase Pro and Erase is more positive effect on libido. The cortisol abilities are also there but this isn't something your necessarily "feel"

Very educational. Thank you.
Professor Cooper at it again
 
doggy_dog

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Great write-up, as usual.

There better be some good New Year's sale cuz I need to buy me some Erase Pro.
Really looking forward to using it.
 

kisaj

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Very cool, I was not aware of this. I've just purchased Holy Basil and Schizanra to add to my daily rhodiola, bacopa, and ashwagandha stack. I've been reading a lot of great benefits.
 
bolt10

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I'm an adaptogen junkie so I found this write up awesome.
 

Pounditz

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47% A1C reduction..wow.
Anyone offer a quality extract standalone?
 
KingErgogenic

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Sensational write up mate. Thanks for sharing. You need to be hired for formulations ;)
 
KingErgogenic

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Hang on a second... LLN

Is MrCooper69 no longer actively participating on AnabolicMinds?!?! :eek:

Please update me, as I am late to this scene aha!
 
rtmilburn

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Hang on a second... LLN

Is MrCooper69 no longer actively participating on AnabolicMinds?!?! :eek:

Please update me, as I am late to this scene aha!
he's no longer on any board or with any supp company.
 
Aleksandar37

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Nope. Totally normal to vanish after a good write up.
Not at all what I meant lol. He went to medical school and got busy. It's not a conspiracy...or is it?
 
bdcc

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I actually locked him in my cupboard under the stairs.
 

kisaj

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I didn’t realize you can’t go to school and participate on a board at the same time. Learn something new every day.
 
Jiigzz

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I didn’t realize you can’t go to school and participate on a board at the same time. Learn something new every day.
He hated how people behaved on boards and I just think he had had enough of it all in the end
 
bdcc

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I didn’t realize you can’t go to school and participate on a board at the same time. Learn something new every day.
He was studying for exams and didn't want distractions.

Shame to have lost him from the forum but respect his decision.
 
Jiigzz

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