Kan ashwagandha vara skadligt? Svaret på TV4-inslaget.

Regarding TV4's feature on December 1, 2024:

"Food supplements can be dangerous."

The feature is based on the same information as the article in Svenska Dagbladet on October 14, 2024, i.e. on a report compiled by the HoA (Head of Food Safety agencies) - consisting of representatives from European food agencies.

The list includes 12 herbs/medicinal plants that may be evaluated by EFSA, including: piperine, silver saxifrage (cimicifuga), tribulus terrestris, holy basil (tulsi), St. John's wort, cinnamon, maca, curcumin and ashwagandha.

The problem is that the media has perceived the list as establishing that these herbs are harmful. This is not the case at all.

Istället bygger listan på läkeväxter som olika Europeiska myndigheter har ställt frågor om.

Frågor avseende bland annat: • Interaktionsrisker • biverkningar • Vilken dos som kan anses som säker – och om detta kan påverkas av: • Vilken växtdel som används • Vilken extraktionsmetod som används • Onormalt höga koncentrationer av enstaka ämne • Ny produktionsteknik t.ex. nanoteknik etc.

If the European Commission considers that there is a case for evaluating the herbs, EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) will be given the task. EFSA will then give all companies the opportunity to submit safety documentation. Unfortunately, this is a slow process that may take up to 3 years.

We welcome the report because the quality of herbal supplements in particular varies widely. This can affect both efficacy and safety.

But... the problem is that the media perceive the list as being harmful and therefore likely to be banned. Which is unlikely to happen. However, certain extraction methods or the use of certain plant parts may be banned or restricted.

That's why MedicineGarden only works with the world's most well-documented extracts.

Extracts that have repeated, well-designed and published studies on exactly the extract and in the amount contained in our capsules. Because then we know that our supplements are both safe and effective.

Latest news on ashwagandha:

All the negative publicity surrounding ashwagandha in recent years has come from the same source. Denmark and the so-called DTU report.  

- After a good dialog between DTU and the Indian Ministry of Health, doctors and professors, DTU has come to the conclusion that they should update their report. This is because the report uncritically drew negative conclusions about ashwagandharot - wrongly based on studies mainly on leaves, stem and berries - or the whole plant.

Traditionally, as in KSM66, only ashwagandha root is used because the above-ground parts may contain substances that are cytotoxic, have a negative effect on sperm and are liver irritants. Substances that are not found in KSM66 - the world's most widely sold, studied and certified ashwagandha.

KSM66 is the only company to have submitted a specific safety report to DTU.

I rapporten presenteras effekt och säkerhetsdata från 36 kliniska studier på människa.

This included a global, double-blind, placebo-controlled safety study of 1000 people.

A high-dose study of 2000 mg per day, and interim results of a 12-month safety study.

Of these studies, 13 focus on liver safety, 13 on the efficacy and safety of sex hormones, sexual desire and function, and five on thyroid efficacy and safety.

I rapporten ingick även 13 säkerhetsstudier på djur.

This included a complete reproduction study in which both female and male animals received a dose equivalent to 200 times a normal dose. The animals received KSM66 (2000 mg/kg) during mating, pregnancy and lactation. A long-term study of 90 days was also included - again with a dose 200 times higher than the normal dose.

Slutsats:  Säkerhetsrapporten på KSM66 visar att det inte finns någon skillnad i säkerhet mellan placebo och KSM66 - inte ens i höga doser under längre tid. Däremot var skillnaden i effekt stor mellan KSM66 och placebo.

Tom Johnsson, CEO - Founder and Quality Manager.

MedicineGarden AB • tom@medicinegarden.se • 0705-94 91 95