Ashwagandha has been used for centuries in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. Recently, it has become popular for its adaptogenic properties and potential to reduce the risk of many health concerns including heart disease, kidney disease and diabetes and help with anxiety and sleep.
What is Ashwaganda?
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a family of plants that are believed to have medicinal, or adaptogenic properties.
What are Adaptogens?
Adaptogens are compounds that help the body handle stress. Although there are many ways adaptogens can affect the body’s reaction to stress, adaptogens are believed to interact with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and affect hormone production to regulate the body’s stress response.
Health Benefits
Ashwagandha is believed to have many health benefits. It is thought to:
- Lowers blood pressure
- Reduce anxiety
- Improves sleep
- Boost the immune system
- Improves blood sugar control
- Reduces markers of heart disease
- Reduces nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy
Can it Improve Your Blood Sugar?
Although Ashwagandha does not directly impact the way your body handles sugar, it can indirectly help lower your blood sugars. Ashwagandha supplements can lower cortisol levels, and improve sleep. Both of which can help improve your blood sugar control.
Ashwagandha for Gestational Diabetes
There is limited research on the safety of Ashwagandha in people with gestational diabetes.
Interactions with Medications
It is important to chat with your doctor or registered dietitian before starting supplements as Ashwagandha can affect how well some medications work. Some medications that are affected by Ashwagandha are listed below.
Diabetes Medications
Many diabetes medications can be impacted by Ashwagandha including:
- Metformin
- SGLT2 inhibitors (such as Jardiance)
- DPP-4 inhibitors (such as Januvia)
- Sulfonylureas (such as Gliclazide)
- Insulin
Antidepressants
Some antidepressants can be affected by Ashwagandha including,
- Zoloft
- Lexapro
- Benzodiazepines (such as Ativan)
Blood Pressure Medications
Ashwagandha supplements can interact with medications used for lowering blood pressure including,
- Beta-blockers
- ACE inhibitors (ramipril)
- Calcium channel blockers (including amlodipine)
- Diuretics (such as furosemide and hydrochlorothiazide).
Taking Ashwagandha supplements in addition to blood pressure medication can increase your risk of low blood pressure (hypotension).
Immunosuppressants
Ashwagandha is known to interact with immunosuppressant medications such as prednisone, as well as medications used after transplants.
Who Should Avoid Ashwagandha?
Despite the many benefits of ashwagandha, it may not be suitable for everyone. You should avoid ashwagandha if you are:
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
- Immunocompromised
- Living with an autoimmune disorder
- Undergoing surgery
- It’s important to chat with your doctor or dietitian before starting a new supplement to identify and minimize your risk of side effects.
Regulation of Ashwagandha in Canada
Ashwagandha is a natural health product and is regulated by Health Canada. It is currently available as a supplement and can be found in drug stores across the country. However, Health Canada has not approved the use of Ashwagandha in foods.
Understand Your Blood Sugars
Working with a Registered Dietitian can help you understand your blood sugars and develop sustainable nutrition to lower your A1c.