Top 3 Supplements to Give Your Health a Jumpstart in 2025

The New Year is just around the corner! And that means a new start! For many of us, the holiday season is about laughter, gathering with friends and family, and quite frankly, being a tad bit… gluttonous. We eat and we drink and we dance, as we should! But let’s face it– for many of us, holiday festivities don’t include raw organic juice, exercise class, or 9 PM bedtimes. I won’t be a buzz kill– the holiday season is not over yet, ladies and gentlemen, and that’s exciting, so have at it! This time of year (for some of us) is just plain good for the soul. 

But why not also get excited for the New Year and the gifts from nature we can put in our bodies so we are emotionally, mentally, and spiritually optimal?  Let’s talk about some fun, “good for us” supplements to ring it (and our immune systems) in hard! We all want to feel better in 2025 than we did in 2024. I don’t know about you, but if my physical state isn’t thriving, I wouldn’t necessarily claim my emotional and mental states to be at their utmost either. It’s all connected, is it not? I know for me, it is. 

I’ve written a miniseries for you on the top 3 supplements you can add to your regimen in 2025 that will have you all THRIVING. First up are ashwagandha gummies. Most of us have heard of ashwagandha and when it comes to health optimization, it continues to be all the rage, and for good reason! And why gummies? Simple! They’re easier to consume and they taste better! 

Adaptogens are geniuses in their own right and their healing wonders are fascinating and humbling. Ashwagandha is what is called an adaptogen. Adaptogens give the body extra power to adapt and cope with stress. They provide resistance to stressors and strength for our bodies to fight off sickness, and I don’t know about you, but anything to boost my immune system during the winter season, I’m in! Let’s set our bodies up for success in 2025 right off of the bat! They deserve a nourishing reset after the sugar-filled, indulgent days and nights of our 2024 holiday season.

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What Exactly is Ashwagandha?

Withania Somnifera is the scientific name for Ashwagandha. It is also known as Indian Ginseng and Indian Winter Cherry. This highly medicinal evergreen shrub is grown and prepared in tropical and subtropical parts of Asia, Africa, and Europe. Ashwagandha is the Sanskrit word for horse smell (“ashwa” or “ashva” meaning horse, and “gandha” meaning smell). The plant's root is said to smell like a wet horse. Ashwagandha has been used in the Ayurvedic System of Medicine and the Unani System of Medicine for thousands of years.

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Health Benefits of Ashwagandha

Some cortisol is good for us, but consistently high cortisol levels are not optimal for our health. High cortisol levels negatively affect:

• mood 
• blood pressure 
• metabolism 
• sleep 
• heart 
• brain 
• skin
• hormones

Studies prove ashwagandha can lower cortisol levels which in turn does the following:

• lowers anxiety
• lowers stress (stress is one of the biggest sleep disruptors)
• improve sleep 
• betters overall mood
• helps the body adapt to stressors (doesn’t just put a band-aid over them)
• enhances mental clarity
• boosts concentration
• minimizes brain fog

Ashwagandha’s multiple phytochemicals (bioactive compounds in plants that benefit our health) include:

• steroidal lactones
• alkaloids
• flavanoids
• ergostane
• saponins 
• gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) 

Steroidal lactones contain withanolides– the main secondary metabolite contributing to the health components of this plant. These withanolides are responsible for the plant’s ability to serve our bodies as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, cytotoxic, cardioprotective, anti-diabetic, anti-bacterial, and more.

Here are just some of the miraculous things the phytochemicals in Ashwagandha do for us: 

• boost the endocrine system
• promote healthy skin
• strengthen immune system
• improve fertility function
• help with joint and muscle pain
• regulate insulin resistance (Insulin resistance can lead to type 2 diabetes.)

Side Effects of Ashwagandha

Not all supplements work for everyone and some people who have tried Ashwagandha reported GI upsets and headaches. People with depression have reported an even lower mood; but overall, the benefits far outweigh the downfalls. 

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The dose is typically between 250-600 mg, 1 or 2x daily.

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Don't use ashwagandha if you are pregnant, have liver issues, or have an overactive (hyper) thyroid. Taking Ashwagandha for 8-12 weeks and then breaking for a month can keep your system sensitive to the herb so your body continues reaping its benefits. Talk to your healthcare provider before adding Ashwagandha to your daily regimen.

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What Form of Ashwagandha is the Best?

Different forms of Ashwagandha are available to you. Some forms are better at treating specific ailments than others. Let’s take a peek, so you have a better idea of which one is right for you.

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KSM 66 is the root-only full-spectrum form of Ashwagandha using all the original phytochemicals. Processing procedures consist of soaking the roots in milk, so if you have a milk allergy, this may not be the form for you. If you’re looking for an uplifted mood and to lower cortisol, this form is probably for you!

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Sensoril is a form of Ashwagandha that utilizes both the root and the leaf. This form has a calming effect because it has increased levels of withanolides (the bioactive component in Ashwagandha). This form could be for you if you are highly anxious and stressed. If you’re looking for higher concentration abilities and mental stamina, this form is great.

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Shoden is another form of Ashwagandha. This form is also comprised of the root and leaf.  It is the most potent because of the three forms, it contains the most (35%) withanolide glycosides.  This form is amazing if you’re looking for uninterrupted, deep sleep, which promotes vigor, vitality, and endurance during the day. And remember, just because it is the most potent, doesn’t mean it is the “best”!

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Awesome Ashwagandha Gummy Brands I Think You’ll Love

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Organic India Ashwagandha Gummies - $25.99

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This company is led by herbal tradition and works with local farmers in India to save ancestral farmland toxically impacted by Western agriculture. They succeeded in turning their land back into a regenerative organic ecosystem. Organic India works with independently owned, small-scale farms in India, while consciously supporting farmers’ financial and personal freedom. All herbs are handpicked, fairly traded, and ethically sourced. 

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Wild and Organic - $19.99

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This company is third-party lab-tested, 100% organic, and non-GMO. Wild and Organic is a family-owned business that uses ethical practices on their farms in California, USA. They refrain from using animal products and animal testing. 

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New Nordic Supplements - $22.95

This Swedish company started a school because education is important to them. Their experts teach retailers, pharmacies, and health food stores about the benefits so they can pass the knowledge to their customers. All ingredients are analyzed in controlled labs to ensure safety and effectiveness. This supplement is non-GMO and vegan.

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How Ashwagandha Impacts Our Hormonal System

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Ashwagandha affects the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal access. It impacts the loop of the brain that talks to our adrenal glands. According to Dr. Jin Sung, if it impacts that loop,  then by nature, it’s impacting the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian access if you are a female and the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal access if you are a male. Studies show Ashwagandha can benefit our endocrine (hormonal) system in the following ways:

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• balance pituitary functions
• improve thyroid gland homeostasis
• regulate adrenal activity
• show improvement in sexual desire, arousal, satisfaction

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In short, ashwagandha positively affects our entire hormonal system, and thus our overall well-being. Happy almost 2025 to us all and stay tuned for the next two exciting gifts from Mother Nature to help us thrive in the new year!

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