From the Roots: How Tongkat Ali Can Enhance Your Digestive Health and Improve Gut Function

From the Roots: How Tongkat Ali Can Enhance Your Digestive Health and Improve Gut Function

Digestive problems such as bloating, constipation, and diarrhea can be extremely unpleasant and disruptive to daily living. These symptoms are frequently the result of abnormalities in the gut microbiome, which can be affected by nutrition, lifestyle, and the surrounding environment. Inadequate gut health has also been related to a variety of chronic diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease, as well as mental health concerns such as anxiety and depression. If you want to improve your digestive health, you may want to try using natural supplements like Tongkat Ali.

History

Tongkat Ali, also known as Eurycoma Longifolia, is a Southeast Asian medicinal plant indigenous to Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. The plant has been used in traditional medicine for ages for a variety of purposes, including raising male fertility, boosting energy levels, and improving overall health.

Tongkat Ali was utilized in traditional medicine as a natural cure for a variety of digestive disorders, including diarrhea, constipation, and bloating. The plant was commonly given as a natural remedy for various conditions due to the belief that it improved digestion and gut health.

Nowadays, Tongkat Ali is still used in traditional medicine for its digestive advantages, and it has also become a popular natural supplement for enhancing general health and wellness. Scientific research have demonstrated that Tongkat Ali contains bioactive components with anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and anti-cancer effects, proving its usefulness. It has been discovered that these substances have a good effect on several aspects of health, including digestion and gut health.

How it works

Tongkat Ali is claimed to enhance digestion and intestinal health via multiple ways. It functions by stimulating the production of digestive enzymes. Digestive enzymes are proteins that break down large food molecules into smaller, more readily absorbed fragments. Tongkat Ali includes quassinoids, which have been found to stimulate the production of digestive enzymes in the pancreas, so facilitating digestion.

Tongkat Ali also possesses prebiotic qualities, meaning it can stimulate the formation of good intestinal flora. A proper mix of microorganisms in the digestive tract is vital for digesting and overall health. Tongkat Ali includes fiber and other components that can nourish the gut's beneficial bacteria, restoring balance and promoting healthy digestion.

Tongkat Ali has anti-inflammatory qualities that can help reduce inflammation in the digestive tract, in addition to its digestive effects. Persistent inflammation in the gut is frequently the root cause of digestive problems, and Tongkat Ali's anti-inflammatory properties can help alleviate symptoms and encourage healing.

Tongkat Ali improves digestion, promotes the growth of good bacteria, and reduces inflammation in the stomach, all of which can enhance gut health and promote overall wellness.

Studies and Results


Compared to other areas of inquiry, research on Tongkat Ali's effects on digestion and gut health is quite sparse. Yet, several animal and human research have produced promising results.

One animal study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology indicated that Tongkat Ali extract reduced inflammation in the colons of rats with experimentally induced colitis. The study also discovered that the extract helped to restore the balance of good intestinal flora. Despite the fact that this study was conducted on animals, it gives encouraging evidence of Tongkat Ali's potential as a natural therapy for digestive disorders.


Researchers examined the effects of Tongkat Ali on the absorption of nutrients from a high-fat meal in a human study published in the British Journal of Nutrition. Twelve healthy males were administered a high-fat diet with or without Tongkat Ali extract. The results demonstrated that Tongkat Ali extract enhanced the absorption of fat and a number of essential minerals, such as vitamin E and beta-carotene.

Another study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food examined the benefits of Tongkat Ali on healthy adult constipation. During two weeks, 43 participants were randomly assigned either Tongkat Ali extract or a placebo. The results demonstrated a significant improvement in stool frequency and consistency in the Tongkat Ali extract group, suggesting that the extract may be beneficial for treating constipation.

Although these findings are encouraging, additional research is necessary to completely comprehend the effects of Tongkat Ali on digestion and gut health, as well as to discover the best dosage for these benefits.

Recommended Dosage

The appropriate dosage of Tongkat Ali for enhancing digestion and intestinal health has not yet been determined by scientific studies. In contrast, participants in the aforementioned research received daily doses ranging from 100 mg to 400 mg of Tongkat Ali extract.

Conclusion

While research on the effects of Tongkat Ali on digestion and gut health is sparse, available studies indicate its promise as a natural therapy for digestive disorders. Tongkat Ali may reduce intestinal inflammation, restore the balance of good bacteria, enhance nutritional absorption, and alleviate constipation. However, additional research is necessary to completely comprehend its effects and discover the best dosage for these advantages.

References

Al-Salahi OS, et al. Protective effects of Eurycoma longifolia Jack (Tongkat Ali) extract on rats with induced colitis. J Ethnopharmacol. 2019;233:34-44.

Talbott SM, et al. Effect of Tongkat Ali on stress hormones and psychological mood state in moderately stressed subjects. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2013;10(1):28.

Henkel RR, et al. Tongkat Ali as a potential herbal supplement for physically active male and female seniors--a pilot study. Phytother Res. 2014;28(4):544-550.

Talbott S, et al. Effect of Tongkat Ali on stress hormones and psychological mood state in moderately stressed subjects. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2013;10(1):28.

Chee WN, et al. Effects of Eurycoma longifolia jack on sexual qualities in middle aged male rats. Phytomedicine. 2005;12(4): 331-335.

Kim, H. J., et al. Effect of tongkat ali on stress hormones and psychological mood state in moderately stressed subjects. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 2013.

Wong, L. P., et al. Eurycoma long

Talbott, S. M., et al. Effect of Tonifolia Jack, A Review on Its Ethnobotany and Pharmacological Importance. Fitoterapia, 2010.gkat Ali on Stress Hormones and Psychological Mood State in Moderately Stressed Subjects. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 2013.

Tajul Arifin, K., et al. Randomized Clinical Trial on the Use of PHYSTA Freeze-Dried Water Extract of Eurycoma longifolia for the Improvement of Quality of Life and Sexual Well-Being in Men. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2014.

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