Lars Von Olleschik-Elbheim
ACON Laboratories, Germany
Title: Adaptogens in personalized medicine: A fascinating group of secondary plant metabolites enabling the human body to enhance its ability to rebalance under stress
Biography
Biography: Lars Von Olleschik-Elbheim
Abstract
In the mid-20th century the Soviet scientists Nicolai Lazarevand Israel I. Brekhman came up with the term adaptogen. Th e term refers to a group of secondary metabolites, based on plant extracts that can help the body adapt to stress, regardless of the source: heat, cold, exertion, trauma, sleep deprivation, toxic exposure, radiation, infection, or psychological duress. By defi nition, an adaptogen causes no side eff ects, treats a wide variety of illnesses, and helps return an organism back toward balance (homeostasis) no matter in what manner it has moved out of balance. Intensive research has been made on this topic in Russia and Asia, fi rst of all in the area of sports and military. Th ere is strong evidence that there is a positive correlation between frequent adaptogen extracts uptake, enhanced physical endurance and enhanced mental capacity. Th e talk will give an overview on the most imporant adaptogenic plants, the secondary plant metabolites involved and the current use of adaptogenic extracts on various health conditions. It shall also discuss the adaptogenic eff ects on bioliogical ageing. In order to estimate how much an individual will benefi t from the use of adaptogens, the measurement of cortisol levels has become like a biomarker. Recently an easy to use home test has been developed in Canada. It estimates how much an individual might benefi t from the use of adaptogens. Th is test is also dedicated to monitor long term eff ects of adaptogen intake on the individual stress level and thus may soon become part of the diagnostics toolbox for personalized medicine