NutraBio KSM-66 Ashwagandha: Trusted and Tested Ashwagandha for Everyone

In the sports nutrition world, NutraBio is well-known for their excellently-executed supplement formulas (NutraBio PRE Workout, Intra Blast) and their third-party tested ultra-pure protein powders (100% Whey Protein Isolate).

Led by Mark Glazier and his fearless team, NutraBio has pushed the supplement industry to a new level!

But in the greater supplement market, NutraBio’s also well-known for similar reasons:

• Strict FDA CFR compliance
• Third-party lab testing
• Massive product selection
• No excipients, fillers, or hidden ingredients

Herbal ingredients require trusted testing

When it comes to herbal supplements, those bullet points become infinitely important. In fact, NutraBio CEO Mark Glazier even commented during an action-packed interview that they have a tough time keeping their Maca root extract in stock because so few suppliers pass the test and they refuse to compromise on quality!

The most trusted ashwagandha (KSM-66) from our most-trusted brand (NutraBio) — A match made in heaven!

Notwithstanding that challenge, NutraBio is still bringing back more herbs, and what better herb than Ashwagandha, the adaptogen that can seemingly do it all. When it comes to ashwagandha, there’s one trusted name that rises above the rest: KSM-66.

Introducing NutraBio’s KSM-66 Ashwagandha!

We’re proud to announce NutraBio’s KSM-66 Ashwagandha, which is not only using the trusted KSM-66 brand, but is also getting the NutraBio 3rd party treatment.

And even better, because of their high-quality capsule process that allows them to avoid fillers and excipients, they’re packing 600mg into a single capsule! An efficacious, clinical dose, one capsule per day. This is how NutraBio gets it done.

We cover the details on this most incredible adaptogenic ingredient below, but first check out the prices and sign up for our NutraBio news alerts, since they’re only getting started in 2019:

A Review of NutraBio Ashwagandha and its Benefits

Normally we start this area with the ingredients, but the ingredients are just that — 600mg KSM-66 Ashwaganda! KSM-66 is a trademarked, full-spectrum root extract sold by Ixoreal Biomed, who claims it to be the “World’s Best Ashwagandha” and “The Clinically Studied Ashwagandha on the market” with “The Highest Number of Quality Certifications”. We don’t disagree.

Just one ingredient and one ingredient only: KSM-66 Ashwagandha! No fillers nor excipients inside!

So let’s dig into the research, knowing that we’re getting a quality, clinically-supported extract:

What can ashwagandha do for you?

Withania somnifera, better known as ashwagandha, is a plant that draws its roots (pun intended) from Ayurvedic medicine. Developed over 3,000 years ago in India, the practice focuses on a comprehensive balance between the “mind, body, and consciousness.”^[1] Whereas modern medicine arguably places emphasis on the body, the emphasis on maintaining mental health here is intriguing. But, how is that achieved, and what kind of herbs have led to Ayurvedic medicine still having a place in today’s world? Well, thanks to things like ashwagandha, the practice has proved its worth.

You might be asking, “Ok, if ashwagandha has used for so long, there’s gotta be *something* to it?” Turns out, ashwagandha has repeatedly shown potential benefit in multiple areas. So, what exactly does it do?

• Hormonal support

  

  One capsule and you’re set for the day. I may just take two though….

  The importance of having good hormonal health cannot be overstated. Without your glands producing effective amounts of the right hormones, your body can get thrown incredibly out of whack. One specific hormone, cortisol, is notorious for causing problems if it’s too high. Your adrenal glands secrete it when you get stressed, and many people these days find keeping cortisol levels low a challenge. But it just so happens that ashwagandha helps you do just that!

  In a study published in 2012, scientists wanted to see the effect that ashwagandha had on cortisol levels in stressed-out adults. Initial serum cortisol was measured, in addition to the subjects filling out stress questionnaires, before a treatment of 300mg twice daily was assigned.^[2] After 60 days, cortisol levels decreased by 28% in those receiving treatment, as opposed to an 8% decrease in the placebo group.^[2]

  In a similar study, subjects were blindly given either 125mg, 250mg, or a placebo. They were then split into four groups – 125mg once daily (QD), 125mg twice daily (BID), 250mg BID, and placebo. Upon completion, the 250mg BID group saw a 30.5% reduction of cortisol, much more significant than the other groups.^[3]

  Research continues to show how effective ashwagandha is at keeping cortisol low, which is imperative for your health. If cortisol is too high, you can say goodbye to burning fat!

  

  Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb that helps lower cortisol in addition to improving VO2 Max.

  Even better, ashwagandha’s ability to lower cortisol levels brings some peripheral effects, many of which are tied directly to this crucial hormone! We’ll get back to the benefits of controlling cortisol, but the most important aspects of this for many of us are the unlocking of our “inner powers”:

  Infertility combatant in men

  For men, stress can be extremely problematic in relation to fertility. High stress levels are often linked to infertility, which is especially concerning for someone hoping to start a family. After taking 5g of ashwagandha powder daily for three months, scientists reported improved semen quality, more fertile than it was prior to the study.^[6] They also noted that 14% of the partners of the subjects became pregnant after the study, whereas they previously were not able to.^[6] If you’re having issues in that department, and you think you’re stressed out, ashwagandha may be worth a shot!

  Potential testosterone-boosting effect

  It’s widely known that having lower stress levels, and thus lower cortisol levels, helps promote higher testosterone levels (all other things considered equal). The good news is that on top of the cortisol and fertility benefits, research shows that ashwagandha may help promote healthy testosterone levels – and it worked in young healthy males!

  The study we’re talking about was published in 2015, in which double-blinded researchers gave 57 young male subjects either placebo or 300mg ashwagandha twice daily (600mg/day) for eight weeks. The result was a 15% increase in testosterone – and these were healthy males!^[10] Note that these levels fluctuate and that this was after a strength training program, but it’s still impressive nonetheless, and any male will take that any day of the week.

  May help boost strength, muscle mass, and recovery

  

  These are some serious strength gains on the big lifts!

  The adaptogen also shows some promise in the training world. One the study discussed above, researchers wanted to see if the plant had any effect on men following a resistance training program. Those taking 300mg BID saw increases in strength on both the bench press and leg extension, in addition to larger increase in muscle size of the chest and arms.^[10] The ashwagandha group also had reduced exercise-induced muscle damage compared to placebo,^[10] meaning they recovered faster.

  Ashwagandha has been shown to decrease perceived fatigue.^[7] While this may not necessarily help you in the gym, it very well may help you get there and last longer, which sometimes is half the battle! Remember, training is a volume play for many of us!

  Potential improvement of body composition

  Because more muscle mass typically means a faster metabolism, it’s not shocking that there may be some fat-burning potential here. If ashwagandha really does help build muscle mass, than that in turn would help burn fat.

  

  Many general athletes have never considered this herb, but they get benefits too!

  One study found that subjects using ashwagandha saw 3% decrease in body mass, whereas placebo only saw 1.5%.^[11] This may have more to do with the food choices we make when we are mentally healthy. When we get stressed, we tend to overeat and/or crave junk food that lack protein and instead hit the “bliss point” of carbs + fats, leaving you hungry for more. Panicked, high cortisol levels could prevent you from making better decisions, in addition to making it harder for our body to burn calories. Thus, because being a bit less stressed improves our overall functioning and cognition, this isn’t surprising!

  This brings us to the note of stress, which we’ve been alluding to this entire time:

• Mental health powerhouse

  The focus on mental health has grown monumentally in recent years. Keeping things like stress, anxiety, and depression in check is essential to living a healthy life. If they aren’t, well, that’s when your body starts pumping cortisol out more than normal. There’s absolutely a link between your hormones and your mental health, and ashwagandha has shown to improve both!

  Stress reduction (via GABAergic signaling regulation?)

  

  Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb that helps lower cortisol in addition to improving VO2 Max.

  Research has shown that individuals supplementing with ashwagandha significantly lowered stress levels,^[2,3] based on their scores on stress-assessment questionnaires. But, further research has been published that may suggest just how this stuff lowers stress.

  A study published in 2015 may have uncovered what happens within the brain when ashwagandha is working its magic. Using mice, researchers found that it helped regulate GABAergic signaling.^[5] This pathway in the central nervous system is integral in the process of “getting stressed”. This research also claims that ashwagandha seemed to block the pathway, which leads to lower levels of stress.^[5]

  In today’s world, it’s incredibly easy to get stressed out. We live in a fast-paced, non-stop society, which gets quickly overwhelming. If we can take some ashwagandha and chill out a bit more, and be healthier and more productive, then we’ll do it!

  Anxiety and depression

  Keeping with the theme here, ashwagandha also has the ability to help both those with anxiety or depression. Research has shown that ashwagandha extract may lower scores on tests related to anxiety and depression, where lower scores are desirable.^[2] Both the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) were taken before and after ashwagandha came into the picture, and the results are impressive.

  

  Ashwagandha (blue line) reduces anxiety quickly and dramatically, especially when combined with relaxation techniques (pink control line). Good for a dieter who’s about to be taking a stimulant!

  In the breakdown of the scores on the GHQ-28 in this study, you can really see just how effective ashwagandha can be in lowering symptoms of anxiety and depression. Subjects saw 70% and 80% improvements in their anxiety and depression, respectively.^[2]

  In another study, scientists compared treatment with ashwagandha with psychotherapy intervention. While both groups saw improvement in their mental health, those taking ashwagandha reported lower anxiety and better quality of life.^[7] This is a very intriguing find, however, we would like to see additional research supporting this before we can confidently recommend an herb over professional help.

  All in all, there’s substantial evidence that ashwagandha is influential in improving mental health. Making sure you’re in a healthy place is incredibly important, and while professional help is definitely the recommended option, ashwagandha may be a worthy adjunct in treatment!

  

  The cortisol-lowering mechanism is really where the magic is at, and seems to “unlock” everything else

• May improve brain / cognitive functioning

  There’s also some research that supports the notion of ashwagandha having a protective effect on the brain. One study showed that the plant suppressed memory loss and learning impairment in sleep-deprived mice.^[8] Another study claims potential for ashwagandha in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases due to its ability to battle toxicity within the brain.^[9]

  While that is a bold claim, it does speak to the antioxidant effect ashwagandha seems to have. Even minor protection of the brain is better than none!

• Some indicators of lower cardiac risk

  

  Made by Ixoreal Biomed, KSM-66 is claimed to be the strongest full-spectrum Ashwagandha extract!

  There also may be some auxiliary benefits that are sometimes associated with a healthy weight. In a previously mentioned study, subjects taking either 125mg BID or 250mg BID both saw improved fasting blood glucose levels, triglyceride levels, and lipid profiles.^[3] Lower blood sugar levels is commonly associated with lower stress levels, so that’s no surprise. But, these people also had better cholesterol levels and triglyceride reduction, hinting at ashwagandha’s potential uses for heart health!

So to sum it up, this can basically benefit anybody. NutraBio often markets to athletes, but those benefits are only part of the story!

Dosing

Take one daily and you’re set for clinical dosing… but some of us may opt for two!

This is what we love. 600mg in one capsule. The dose to take. One per day and you’re done.

Since this is a supplement you can sometimes feel, we recommend taking it early in the day. It’s preferred to take without food, when fasted or between meals, for maximum effect.

If, however, you’re looking for lower-stress before bed to get you to sleep better, it could be wise to take it with dinner to assess energy and fatigue levels.

For those who are bold, 1200mg/day is the max we’ve ever tried. Beyond that, there’s no guarantees — note that some of the studies showed dose-dependent effects, but if 1200mg doesn’t make you feel any better, it’s really time to flip your diet upside down, train smarter, and get off toxic social media.

NutraBio releases 3rd party lab tests for ALL of their supplements!

Third-party tested!

So this is a trusted ingredient, and NutraBio of course tests their incoming raw materials… so does that mean NutraBio doesn’t need to do their third-party lab testing? Of course not! This is Mark Glazier we’re talking about!

Each batch will be third-party tested just like everything else at NutraBio. Trusted ingredient or not, it’s still happening.

Conclusion

NutraBio is a hugely-trusted brand because of those third-party lab tests, and now we get to extend it to a top-selling adaptogenic herb. You know exactly what you’re going to get with their KSM-66 Ashwagandha.

And gone are the days of 300mg per capsule – this is the full shebang all in one!

NutraBio is the industry leader in quality and transparency, and has been for quite some time.

Whether you’re a competitive athlete, a dieter, a student, or a stressed-out housewife with toddlers handing on you all day long, Ashwagandha has incredible use, and now it’s from a brand we know we trust who shares their data.

Today is a good day. Now grab a bottle and make it a good month.