AD | This is a sponsored post and features a gifted product. All opinions are honest and my own.
I have recently come across the term ‘adaptogens‘ – it seems to be a health ‘buzzword’ that is doing the rounds. At first, I wasn’t really sure what an adaptogen was, so if you’re anything like me, you might also be wondering what they are and whether you should be taking an adaptogen complex to supplement your diet.
So, what are adaptogens? Adaptogens are plants and mushrooms that are thought to help you withstand stressful situations and generally reduce stress. Different adaptogens have different effects, with some boosting your mood, some increasing your energy and others improving cognitive function, but overall they help to restore balance and boost your wellbeing. Adaptogens have typically been known about and used for countless generations throughout history by the people living in the natural environments where they grow.
Some examples of adaptogens that you might have heard of include ginseng, maca, turmeric and lions mane. Here we’ll be focusing on three specific adaptogens: Ashwagandha, Rhodiola Rosea and Bacopa Monnieri. These are found in Lifetropics Adaptogen Complex, which I was gifted to feature in this post.
About Lifetropics and their Adaptogen Complex
Lifetropics is a company that produces clean, natural and authentic supplements to support health and wellbeing. Their supplements are made in the UK using authentic ingredients from reputable growers. All their supplements are lab tested for purity, quality and safety. They only use ingredients that are natural and that have benefits backed by science.
I was gifted a 90 day supply (1 bottle) of Lifetropics Adaptogen Complex. The capsules are vegan and they contain 100% high-strength adaptogen extracts with no fillers. As mentioned earlier, the supplement contains Ashwagandha, Rhodiola Rosea and Bacopa Monnieri. These are 3 of the most powerful adaptogens and between them they have many health benefits which we’ll be exploring below.
The 3 Adaptogens in Lifetropics Adaptogen Complex
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is a small, evergreen shrub that grows in Africa and Asia. Studies have found that it reduces stress and helps with relaxation, as well as improving sleep and boosting athletic performance.
Rhodiola Rosea
Rhodiola Rosea is a flowering herb that grows in cold, mountain regions of Europe and Asia. Studies have shown it to increase energy and endurance, improve strength and resilience and reduce stress and depression, among other benefits.
Bacopa Monnieri
Bacopa Monnieri, also known as Brahmi is a herb that supports the brain and nervous system. It helps improve memory and sharpen cognitive function, and also has positive effects on insomnia, mood and attention.
After reading about the benefits of these three adaptogens, I was excited to start taking the supplements and see if I could experience the benefits for myself.
My experience trying Lifetropics Adaptogen Complex
First impressions
The Adaptogen Complex comes in a small, plastic bottle, typical of any supplement. I like the packaging design; the green and white colour scheme looks clean and appealing. The green leaf design appeals to me as I’m into anything with plant or leaf designs.
The capsules themselves are beige in colour and have a plastic look but of course they are not made of plastic. They are made of HPMC which is a plant-based ingredient. Other than the HPMC capsule, the only ingredients in this complex are the adaptogens themselves; there are no filler ingredients.
The capsules are fairly large but I’ve had no problems with swallowing them. That said, I am normally fine with swallowing capsules so anyone who struggles with this might find these uncomfortably large.
Routine
The instructions on the bottle say to take one capsule each day with a meal. I’ve been taking my daily capsule after breakfast because that’s when I take other supplements too. Taking this adaptogen complex has fitted in easily with my normal routine.
Any effects?
The bottle contains 90 capsules which is a 3 month supply. As I write this, I have been taking the capsules for approximately a month and a half, so I am about halfway through the bottle. Here is what I have noticed so far:
- All three adaptogens are supposed to reduce stress, and I feel like they have. I have felt generally calmer, less stressed and more able to deal with situations that arise.
- Bacopa Monnieri in particular is supposed to have a positive effect on mood, and I’ve found that my mood has overall been good and I’ve felt positive about life.
- I haven’t noticed any difference in my sleep as a result of the Ashwagandha and Bacopa Monnieri, but that said, I usually sleep well anyway and don’t experience insomnia.
- Ashwagandha and Rhodiola Rosea supposedly help athletic performance. I admit I have not done a huge amount of athletic activity over the past month and a half, so haven’t really had a chance to test this out. However, on the occasions when I have exercised, it has gone well and I haven’t felt overly worn out, so maybe the adaptogens have helped me in that area.
- In general I’ve had plenty of energy and not been too tired, which could be linked to Rhodiola Rosea.
- I can’t say I’ve noticed an improvement in memory or cognitive function due to the Bacopa Monnieri, but I haven’t had any particular problems in these areas either.
Overall, I’ve had a pretty good month and a half in terms of mental health and general wellbeing, but the difference is subtle. I certainly haven’t noticed dramatic effects since starting this supplement, but I do feel like it has helped me. It’s worth noting that I already take several other supplements that have overlapping benefits, so it may be that I was already experiencing effects from those which made the added effect of these adaptogens less noticeable.
Could you benefit from taking an Adaptogen Complex?
Personally, I think the Lifetropics Adaptogen Complex has helped me, and if I still feel this way near the end of the 90 days I will strongly consider purchasing another bottle. It costs £15.95 which I think is really good value for a 90-day supply – only £5.32 per month.
Of course, any supplement will affect different people in different ways, but speaking from my own experience I’d recommend giving this one a try, especially if you don’t already take any similar supplements and if you feel you could do with a boost to your mental wellbeing, mood, energy, endurance, sleep or cognitive function.
