To avoid the side effects of ginseng, some experts suggest that you shouldn't use it for more than 3 months, or sometimes just a few weeks at a time. Due to a lack of evidence about its safety, ginseng is not recommended for children or for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Ginseng may interact with other medications you're taking. In a study conducted on 12 active men, it was found that short-term supplementation with American Ginseng extract reduced exercise-induced muscle damage and reduced markers of inflammation compared to a placebo.
(. Some test-tube and animal studies show that components of ginseng, such as ginsenosides and compound K, may protect the brain against damage caused by free radicals (11, 1.Interestingly, a study conducted on 6,422 older adults found that regular consumption of ginseng for at least 5 years was associated with improved cognitive function in the future) (1.Another small study showed that taking 200 milligrams (mg) of American Ginseng significantly improved working memory after 3 hours, compared to a placebo (1.Some research suggests that ginseng may be a useful alternative for treating erectile dysfunction (ED) (1.Based on some previous research, certain compounds found in ginseng may protect against oxidative stress in blood vessels and penile tissues to help restore normal functioning.) (1) In addition, studies have shown that ginseng may promote the production of nitric oxide, a compound that improves muscle relaxation in the penis and increases blood circulation (6, 1) in fact, a review of nine studies found that ginseng could improve self-reported ability to have relationships sexual. in men (1.However, researchers also observed that ginseng had little or no effect on erectile dysfunction or satisfaction with sexual intercourse compared to a placebo (1). According to one review, ginseng has potent antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties and may improve immune system function (20).
Interestingly, an animal study found that red-black ginseng extract increased the number of immune cells and increased antioxidant levels in the liver (2). Similarly, another study in 100 people showed that taking 2 g of Korean red ginseng daily for 8 weeks significantly increased immune cell levels compared to a placebo (2). Ginseng may be helpful in reducing the risk of certain types of cancer (23, 2). The ginsenosides in this herb have been shown to help reduce inflammation and provide antioxidant protection (25, 2).
The cell cycle is the process by which cells grow normally and divide. Ginsenosides may benefit this cycle by preventing abnormal cell production and growth (25, 2). A review of several studies concluded that people who take ginseng may have a 16% lower risk of developing cancer (2). Ginseng may also help improve the health of people receiving chemotherapy and may reduce side effects and increase the effect of some cancer treatments (2).
However, while studies on the role of ginseng in cancer prevention show some benefits, they remain inconclusive (2). linked some components of ginseng, such as polysaccharides and oligopeptides, to lower oxidative stress and greater energy production in cells, which could help reduce fatigue (28, 2). A review of 10 studies concluded that ginseng could significantly improve symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome compared to a placebo, even after just 15 days (30). Another review showed that taking American or Asian ginseng could reduce symptoms of cancer-related fatigue if taken at doses of 2000 mg or 3000 mg per day, respectively (3).
In addition, a review of more than 155 studies suggested that ginseng supplements not only help reduce fatigue, but may also improve physical performance (3) Ginseng appears to be beneficial for controlling blood sugar levels in people with and without diabetes (3). American and Asian ginseng have been shown to improve pancreatic cell function and increase insulin production, and improve the absorption of blood sugar into tissues (3). In addition, studies show that ginseng extracts help provide antioxidant protection that can help reduce free radicals in the cells of people with diabetes (3). A review of eight studies found that supplementing with ginseng might lower fasting blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity in people with type 2 diabetes, but it didn't significantly lower hemoglobin A1C levels, which are an average of 3-month blood glucose. Another 8-week study showed that taking 3 g a day of American Ginseng significantly reduced fasting blood sugar levels (3).
The study showed that ginseng improved hemoglobin A1c, a marker of long-term blood sugar control, compared to a placebo in people with type 2 diabetes, but larger studies with standardized preparations of ginseng are needed to verify these results (3). It seems that fermented red ginseng may be even more effective at controlling blood sugar. Fermented ginseng is produced with the help of live bacteria that transform ginsenosides into a more potent and easily absorbed form (3). According to research, ginseng appears to be safe and should not cause any serious adverse effects (39, 40).
Research shows that type 2 diabetes can be prevented, stopped, and even reversed with the right diet and lifestyle. Fresh food and nutritional supplements are essential. Ginseng supplements come in the form of tablets, capsules, extracts, or powders. The tablets or capsules usually contain the ground root or an extract of one or more types of ginseng root. It is usually recommended to take one or two Ginseng capsules twice daily with meals.
The number of capsules may vary depending on the dosage of the supplement. In the present study, the various symptoms described as “ginseng-abuse syndrome” were reported with no difference between treatment and control groups. In addition, no significant changes were found in the complete blood count, liver function tests, uric acid levels, blood pressure, and body temperature after 24 weeks of taking KRG. The results of the KRG safety evaluation were assumed to be the result of an adequate dose of 2 g of KRG tablets per day. Therefore, 2 g of KRG per day can be safely administered to healthy adults for up to of 24 weeks.
First, enrollment was restricted to people living in South Korea. Second, the dose used in this study was 2 g of KRG per day in tablet form, equivalent to a dose of 3 g of KRG extract, so it was not considered safe to administer higher doses of KRG. More studies are needed to evaluate the safety of taking KRG in other ethnic populations and at different doses. In addition, data on secondary efficacy outcomes, such as changes in the quality of life index, the Chalder fatigue scale, biological age and exploratory laboratory measurements, are currently not available and will be analyzed and presented in a publication Separately.
Ginseng is usually taken for long periods of time, 1,29 A source1 (p. 23) recommends a two-week ginseng-free period every two to three weeks for some people. Ginseng also helped improve postprandial insulin and the assessment of insulin resistance levels using homeostatic models (HOMA-IR), both factors that help control blood sugar levels. There are many varieties of this herb, but the most popular are American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) and Asian Ginseng (Panax Ginseng).
Asian Ginseng (from Chinese and Korean sources) has been used to treat lack of mental clarity, diabetes, and male erectile dysfunction. Panax Ginseng may interact with caffeine to cause hypertension and may lower blood alcohol concentrations. One source2 recommends avoiding the use of ginseng products in children and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, until more rigorous studies demonstrate their safety in these groups. Therefore, more quality human studies are needed to fully understand how ginseng can benefit health. Finally, there is evidence to suggest that long-term use of ginseng may decrease its effectiveness in the body. Asian Ginseng can also cause sleep problems and act like estrogens if used for more than six months.
Ginseng-derived products are popularly known as “tonics”, a term that has been replaced by “adaptogens” in much of the alternative medicine literature. Some test-tube studies have shown that ginseng extracts and ginsenoside compounds can inhibit inflammation and reduce oxidative damage to cells, which may contribute to the development of chronic diseases (4, 5,. Various processing methods and formulations of Asian ginseng have been developed to maintain or improve the original ingredients of fresh ginseng. Limited research shows that ginseng may help lower cholesterol levels that contribute to plaque buildup in arteries, increasing the risk of coronary artery disease and heart attack.
The researchers concluded that red ginseng may help reduce oxidative stress by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes (.
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