CAD $
The Science
The research was done. Here’s what it showed.
- Published studies
- 20
- Studied ingredients
- 5
-
Study 01
Ashwagandha
Desire and sexual wellbeing
8 weeks
to significant gains in female sexual function scores versus placebo
Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Root Extract in Improving Sexual Function in Women: A Pilot Study
- Design
- Randomized, placebo-controlled pilot
- Participants
- 50 healthy women
- Duration
- 8 weeks
Women taking standardized ashwagandha root extract showed statistically significant improvements compared to placebo in arousal, lubrication, orgasm and sexual satisfaction, and a marked reduction in sexual distress.
Dongre S, Langade D, Bhattacharyya S. BioMed Research International. 2015;2015:284154. doi:10.1155/2015/284154
PMID 26504795 -
Study 02
Ashwagandha
Stress resilience and cortisol
27.9%
drop in serum cortisol, alongside significant reductions on every stress scale
A Prospective, Randomized Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Safety and Efficacy of a High-Concentration Full-Spectrum Extract of Ashwagandha Root in Reducing Stress and Anxiety in Adults
- Design
- Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
- Participants
- 64 adults with chronic stress
- Duration
- 60 days
Serum cortisol fell 27.9% from baseline in the ashwagandha group, with significant improvements on all stress-assessment scales compared to placebo.
Chandrasekhar K, Kapoor J, Anishetty S. Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine. 2012;34(3):255-262. doi:10.4103/0253-7176.106022
PMID 23439798 -
Study 03
Ashwagandha
Perimenopausal symptom relief
8 weeks
to significantly lower menopause symptom scores versus placebo
Effect of an Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Root Extract on Climacteric Symptoms in Women During Perimenopause: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study
- Design
- Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
- Participants
- 100 perimenopausal women
- Duration
- 8 weeks
Total Menopause Rating Scale scores fell significantly compared to placebo, across psychological, physical and urogenital symptoms. Menopause quality-of-life scores also improved, estradiol rose, and FSH and LH fell compared to placebo.
Gopal S, Ajgaonkar A, Kanchi P, et al. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research. 2021;47(12):4414-4425. doi:10.1111/jog.15030
PMID 34553463 -
Study 04
Ashwagandha
Sleep quality and restorative rest
10 weeks
to faster sleep onset and higher sleep efficiency than placebo
Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Root Extract in Insomnia and Anxiety: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study
- Design
- Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
- Participants
- 60 adults with insomnia
- Duration
- 10 weeks
After 10 weeks, people taking ashwagandha fell asleep significantly faster than with placebo (29.0 vs 33.9 minutes) and sleep efficiency rose from 75.6 to 83.5 (placebo: 79.7). Sleep quality and anxiety scores also improved significantly.
Langade D, Kanchi S, Salve J, et al. Cureus. 2019;11(9):e5797. doi:10.7759/cureus.5797
PMID 31728244 -
Study 05
Ashwagandha
Memory and cognitive function
8 weeks
to significant gains in memory, attention and processing speed versus placebo
Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal) Root Extract in Improving Memory and Cognitive Functions
- Design
- Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
- Participants
- 50 adults
- Duration
- 8 weeks
Compared to placebo, the ashwagandha group showed statistically significant improvements in immediate and general memory, executive function, sustained attention and information-processing speed.
Choudhary D, Bhattacharyya S, Bose S. Journal of Dietary Supplements. 2017;14(6):599-612. doi:10.1080/19390211.2017.1284970
PMID 28471731 -
Study 06
Ashwagandha
Thyroid function
8 weeks
to significantly improved TSH, T3 and T4 versus placebo
Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Subclinical Hypothyroid Patients: A Double-Blind, Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial
- Design
- Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
- Participants
- 50 adults with subclinical hypothyroidism
- Duration
- 8 weeks
In adults with mildly elevated TSH, ashwagandha significantly improved TSH, T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine) compared to placebo, normalizing thyroid indices over the 8 weeks.
Sharma AK, Basu I, Singh S. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2018;24(3):243-248. doi:10.1089/acm.2017.0183
PMID 28829155 -
Study 07
Ashwagandha
Joint comfort and mobility
4 weeks
to the first significant relief at 250 mg
A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Efficacy and Tolerability of Withania somnifera Extracts in Knee Joint Pain
- Design
- Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
- Participants
- 60 adults with knee joint pain
- Duration
- 12 weeks
Both doses significantly reduced joint pain and swelling scores compared to placebo at 12 weeks. The 250 mg group responded best, with significantly lower pain, stiffness and disability scores and the earliest relief, at 4 weeks.
Ramakanth GS, Uday Kumar C, Kishan PV, Usharani P. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine. 2016;7(3):151-157. doi:10.1016/j.jaim.2016.05.003
PMID 27647541 -
Study 08
Tongkat Ali
Menopausal quality of life
33.9%
lower total menopausal quality-of-life scores at 100 mg
Effect of Eurycoma longifolia Water Extract (Physta®) on Menopausal Quality of Life and Mood States
- Design
- Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
- Participants
- 138 women aged 40 to 55
- Duration
- 12 weeks
At 100 mg, total menopausal quality-of-life scores fell 33.9%, with notable physical and sexual improvements. Mood improved more than with placebo, though not statistically significantly, and reproductive hormone levels were unchanged. The study was sponsored by Biotropics Malaysia, the maker of Physta®.
Muniandy S, Yahya HM, Shahar S, et al. World Journal of Clinical Cases. 2025;13(31):109113. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v13.i31.109113
PMID 41283187 -
Study 09
Tongkat Ali
Midlife hormones and lipids (combined with Labisia pumila)
24 weeks
with lower LH, FSH, LDL and triglycerides in the supplement group
Efficacy of Labisia pumila and Eurycoma longifolia Standardised Extracts on Hot Flushes, Quality of Life, Hormone and Lipid Profile of Peri-Menopausal and Menopausal Women: A Randomised, Placebo-Controlled Study
- Design
- Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
- Participants
- 119 women aged 41 to 55
- Duration
- 24 weeks
Hot flushes improved 65% with the blend and 60% with placebo, a difference that was not statistically significant. LH and FSH fell from baseline only in the blend group, and LDL cholesterol and triglycerides dropped at week 12 with no change on placebo.
Chinnappan SM, George A, Evans M, Anthony J. Food & Nutrition Research. 2020;64:3665. doi:10.29219/fnr.v64.3665
PMID 33061884 -
Study 10
Tongkat Ali
Stress hormones and mood
16%
less salivary cortisol, with calmer mood scores
Effect of Tongkat Ali on Stress Hormones and Psychological Mood State in Moderately Stressed Subjects
- Design
- Placebo-controlled
- Participants
- 63 adults (31 women, 32 men)
- Duration
- 4 weeks
Compared to placebo, cortisol exposure fell 16% and testosterone rose 37%, with significant improvements in tension (−11%), anger (−12%) and confusion (−15%).
Talbott SM, Talbott JA, George A, Pugh M. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 2013;10(1):28. doi:10.1186/1550-2783-10-28
PMID 23705671 -
Study 11
Tongkat Ali
Strength and hormone balance in active seniors
5 weeks
to significant gains in muscle strength in women and men
Tongkat Ali as a Potential Herbal Supplement for Physically Active Male and Female Seniors: A Pilot Study
- Design
- Pilot study, no placebo group
- Participants
- 25 active seniors aged 57 to 72 (12 women)
- Duration
- 5 weeks
Total and free testosterone and handgrip strength rose significantly in both women and men. In women, the rise in free testosterone was linked to a significant drop in sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG).
Henkel RR, Wang R, Bassett SH, et al. Phytotherapy Research. 2014;28(4):544-550. doi:10.1002/ptr.5017
PMID 23754792 -
Study 12
Tongkat Ali
Immune vitality
4 weeks
to higher immune vigor scores and T-cell counts than placebo
Immunomodulation in Middle-Aged Humans Via the Ingestion of Physta® Standardized Root Water Extract of Eurycoma longifolia Jack: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel Study
- Design
- Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
- Participants
- 84 middle-aged adults
- Duration
- 4 weeks
Immunological vigor scores and total, naïve and CD4+ T-cell counts were significantly higher than with placebo after 4 weeks. The study was led by researchers at Biotropics Malaysia, the maker of Physta®.
George A, Suzuki N, Abas AB, et al. Phytotherapy Research. 2016;30(4):627-635. doi:10.1002/ptr.5571
PMID 26816234 -
Study 13
Purified Shilajit
Bone density
48 weeks
of better-preserved bone mineral density than placebo
Shilajit Extract Reduces Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Bone Loss to Dose-Dependently Preserve Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Women With Osteopenia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
- Design
- Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
- Participants
- 60 postmenopausal women with osteopenia
- Duration
- 48 weeks
Bone mineral density at the lumbar spine and hip declined on placebo but was dose-dependently preserved with shilajit at 24 and 48 weeks, alongside improved bone-turnover markers and lower markers of oxidative stress and inflammation.
Pingali U, Nutalapati C. Phytomedicine. 2022;105:154334. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2022.154334
PMID 35933897 -
Study 14
Purified Shilajit
Skin microcirculation
14 weeks
of supplementation improved skin blood flow at 250 mg twice daily
Skin Transcriptome of Middle-Aged Women Supplemented With Natural Herbo-mineral Shilajit Shows Induction of Microvascular and Extracellular Matrix Mechanisms
- Design
- Placebo-controlled clinical study
- Participants
- Healthy adult women
- Duration
- 14 weeks
At the higher dose, shilajit improved skin microperfusion compared with baseline and placebo, and raised activity of genes linked to blood vessel growth and the skin's extracellular matrix. No adverse effects were reported.
Das A, El Masry MS, Gnyawali SC, et al. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 2019;38(6):526-536. doi:10.1080/07315724.2018.1564088
PMID 31161927 -
Study 15
Purified Shilajit
Strength retention and connective tissue
8 weeks
at 500 mg to better strength retention after fatiguing exercise
The Effects of Shilajit Supplementation on Fatigue-Induced Decreases in Muscular Strength and Serum Hydroxyproline Levels
- Design
- Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
- Participants
- 63 recreationally active men
- Duration
- 8 weeks
Among the stronger half of participants, the 500 mg group lost significantly less maximal strength after a fatiguing workout than the low-dose and placebo groups. The 500 mg dose also lowered baseline serum hydroxyproline, a marker of collagen breakdown.
Keller JL, Housh TJ, Hill EC, et al. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 2019;16(1):3. doi:10.1186/s12970-019-0270-2
PMID 30728074 -
Study 16
Purified Shilajit
Muscle extracellular matrix
17
extracellular matrix genes upregulated in muscle after 8 weeks
The Human Skeletal Muscle Transcriptome in Response to Oral Shilajit Supplementation
- Design
- Single-group clinical study, no placebo
- Participants
- Adults with overweight or class I obesity
- Duration
- 8 weeks, plus 4 with exercise
Muscle biopsies showed 17 extracellular-matrix genes, including collagen, elastin, decorin and fibronectin, significantly upregulated after 8 weeks. Blood sugar, lipids and muscle-damage markers were unchanged.
Das A, Datta S, Rhea B, et al. Journal of Medicinal Food. 2016;19(7):701-709. doi:10.1089/jmf.2016.0010
PMID 27414521 -
Study 17
Sea Moss (Chondrus crispus)
Gut microbiome (animal study)
4.9×
more beneficial Bifidobacterium breve in rats fed sea moss
Prebiotic Effects of Diet Supplemented With the Cultivated Red Seaweed Chondrus crispus or With Fructo-Oligo-Saccharide on Host Immunity, Colonic Microbiota and Gut Microbial Metabolites
- Design
- Animal study
- Participants
- Weaning rats
Rats on a 2.5% sea moss diet had 4.9 times more Bifidobacterium breve and fewer pathogenic gut bacteria, and the 0.5% diet raised blood IgA and IgG antibody levels. Results in animals may not carry over to people.
Liu J, Kandasamy S, Zhang J, et al. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2015;15:279. doi:10.1186/s12906-015-0802-5
PMID 26271359 -
Study 18
Sea Moss (Chondrus crispus)
Innate immunity (laboratory study)
2×+
higher activity in innate immune genes in a laboratory model
Components of the Cultivated Red Seaweed Chondrus crispus Enhance the Immune Response of Caenorhabditis elegans to Pseudomonas aeruginosa Through the pmk-1, daf-2/daf-16, and skn-1 Pathways
- Design
- Laboratory study
- Participants
- C. elegans roundworms
Sea moss components raised activity of a dozen innate immune genes more than two-fold and reduced deaths from Pseudomonas infection by 28% in the roundworm C. elegans. Results in laboratory models may not carry over to people.
Liu J, Hafting J, Critchley AT, et al. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 2013;79(23):7343-7350. doi:10.1128/AEM.01927-13
PMID 24056462 -
Study 19
Olive Oil (Lipid Base)
Bone health (observational)
51%
lower fracture risk with the highest extra virgin olive oil intake
Extra Virgin Olive Oil Consumption Reduces the Risk of Osteoporotic Fractures in the PREDIMED Trial
- Design
- Observational analysis within a randomized diet trial
- Participants
- 870 adults aged 55 to 80
- Duration
- 8.9 years median follow-up
People in the highest third of extra virgin olive oil intake had a 51% lower risk of osteoporosis-related fractures than those in the lowest third. As an observational finding, it shows an association rather than proof of cause.
García-Gavilán JF, Bulló M, Canudas S, et al. Clinical Nutrition. 2018;37(1):329-335. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2016.12.030
PMID 28143667 -
Study 20
Olive Oil (Lipid Base)
Absorption of fat-soluble nutrients (animal study)
41.8%
more lutein reached the blood when delivered in olive oil, in mice
Olive Oil Improves the Intestinal Absorption and Bioavailability of Lutein in Lutein-Deficient Mice
- Design
- Animal study
- Participants
- 165 lutein-deficient mice
- Duration
- Single-dose absorption study
Of seven vegetable oils tested, olive oil delivered the most lutein, a fat-soluble nutrient, into the blood (41.8% more than control) and the eyes (35.2% more), likely due to its fatty-acid profile. Results in animals may not carry over to people.
Nidhi B, Mamatha BS, Baskaran V. European Journal of Nutrition. 2014;53(1):117-126. doi:10.1007/s00394-013-0507-9
PMID 23543147