Key Points
- Ashwagandha increased DHEA-S by 18%
- Testosterone saw a 14.7% increase
- Cortisol and estradiol levels were not significantly affected
- Boosts decreased after people stopped taking ashwagandha
- The intervention was well tolerated, with no serious adverse events reported
Overview of Methods
Forty-three overweight men (ages 40-70) experiencing fatigue were randomized into two groups with ashwagandha and placebo phases and no washout period between them.
- Ashwagandha First: 8 weeks of 21 mg/day ashwagandha extract, followed by 8 weeks of placebo
- Placebo First: 8 weeks of placebo, followed by 8 weeks of 21 mg/day ashwagandha extract
Ashwagandha Increased Testosterone and DHEA-S
Ashwagandha led to significantly higher male (androgen) hormone levels compared to placebo.
"Ashwagandha intake was associated with an 18% greater increase in DHEA-S and 14.7% greater increase in testosterone."
No statistically significant differences were observed for the stress hormone cortisol, or estradiol.
"There were no significant between-group differences in cortisol and estradiol."
Both the placebo and ashwagandha groups showed improvements over time in fatigue and well-being scores.
"There were significant improvements in most symptom scores from baseline to Week 8, in both the placebo and ashwagandha conditions."
However, these increases were not sustained after stopping supplementation, indicating the effect is dependent on continued intake.
Conclusion
In healthy, overweight men with mild fatigue, ashwagandha increased DHEA-S and testosterone. Hormonal changes decreased after discontinuation, indicating benefits may require ongoing supplementation.
"Intake of a standardized ashwagandha extract for 8 weeks was associated with increased levels of DHEA-S and testosterone."
"DHEA-S, and to a lesser extent testosterone, was lower after 8 weeks of discontinued ashwagandha supplementation."
"Improvements in fatigue, vigor, and sexual and psychological well-being were observed after both ashwagandha and placebo."
The results suggest ashwagandha may help support hormone levels that naturally decline with age.
