Product Description
Asparagus is a popular and well liked food item, but most may not know that it has strong medicinal effects. Our asparagus extract is made from wild Indian Asparagus racemosus, and standardized to contain a potent 50% saponins. Saponins are a group of plant based compounds that have a very wide range of effects within the body. Asparagus is known a rejuvenator of the female reproductive system, but also has research for gastric ulcers, dyspepsia, nervous disorders, inflammation, liver diseases, among others. Quite a bit of research has also emerged leading to a possible place in the cancer field. (1)
The saponins within asparagus show good immune balancing properties as well. A study on asparagus showed it helped balance TH-1/TH-2, which are main components of the immune system. Each has its own set of functions and needs to be balanced to perform optimally. The study showed T cell activation and upregulation of Th1 and Th2 cytokines that play an important role in immune health. (2) Asparagus is also useful for mothers because of its strong galactagogue effects. A double-blind study with mothers showed that it tripled prolactin levels. (3)
The evidence for cancer is piling up for this powerful vegetable. Several pieces of research have verified these effects, although the exact mechanisms by which it helps were unclear until recently. (4) Asparagus also shows good anti-inflammatory effects due to the phytochemicals beacasparanin A, sarsasapogenin, isorhamnetin ,protodioscin, and diosgenin, quercetin, rutin, and kaempferol . Nutrient analysis of asparagus shows that it's also a great source of folate, vitamin K, B-vitamins, and several other nutrients which may help decrease the risk of birth defects, play a role in depression, help improve bone health, and even possibly help improve diabetes.
Scientists University of Karachi in Pakistan induced a diabetic state within rats, and gave asparagus to see their effects. There was a positive dose dependent effect on glucose levels and insulin. Another 2006 study in the British Medical journal showed that asparagus caused an 81% in glucose uptake within the muscles and tissues, which is something that is usually impaired in diabetics, which keeps glucose in the bloodstream where it causes harm. (5,6) Asparagus also promotes peristalsis of the bowels, moisturizes the respiratory tract, and can also benefit the male reproductive system.
Suggested use: 300 mgs 2-3 times per day.
References:
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14515032
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19038322
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3869575/
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22876162
- http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2236322/Asparagus--trendy-vegetable-fights-diabetes.html
- http://www.healthy-holistic-living.com/nutritious-asparagus-has-anti-inflammatory-properties-may-protect-against-diabetes-studies-show.html