Physical exhaustion, whether in the gym or due to the hustle and bustle of everyday living, is an ongoing condition that needs to be addressed properly. Getting a good night sleep and resting your body is just part of it; what we feed ourselves is also as important as doing nothing. 

There are 5 superfoods that can help our bodies recover and refuel itself, just in time for your next gym session or physical activity:

Shilajit

Known as the “Conqueror of mountains and destroyer of weakness”, this sticky, dark substance is an awesome gift from the Himalayan mountains. While it doesn’t exactly scream “Eat me!” due to its lacklustre appearance and questionable consistency, looks can definitely be deceiving. 

The shilajit helps nutrients reach other parts of the body, especially deep muscle tissues, to help aid recovery and fight lethargy and fatigue. It is also rich in fulvic acid, a mineral that encourages blood formation, thus improving energy production. Shilajit is also a good bioavailability enhancer — meaning, it helps the body absorb vitamins and minerals better.

The recommended dosage of shilajit is 300-500 mg/day.

Eucommia Bark Extract

This is a plant that has been popular and heavily used in China because of its medicinal properties. It has been lauded to be full of great benefits, especially its bark (more than its leaves). Many of its health benefits include:

  • It is packed with lignans, iridoids, phenolics, steroids, flavonoids, and other healthy compounds
  • Reduces free radicals caused by everyday stress
  • It helps reduce blood pressure
  • It is a vasorelaxant, thus minimising tension in blood vessels
  • Protects neuronal functions and nerves

In terms of reducing blood pressure, the eucommia bark extract can be ingested for 8 weeks, starting with 500 mg and 1000 mg, then thrice a day for 2 weeks. 

Tongkat Ali

This plant hails from Indonesia and is aptly named the Indonesian ginseng. What it is known for is to reduce cortisol levels (the stress hormone) to lessen the incidence of anxiety and for an overall improved outlook in life. It can also lessen or minimise confusion, anger, and tension when taken at 200mg a day. 

For athletes or those who are physically active, the Tongkat Ali can help boost performance and even increase muscle mass. Testosterone levels, which can fluctuate during exercise, are also normalised after taking Tongkat Ali consistently. 

Do note that some people have experienced side effects like insomnia, restlessness, and anxiety after taking Tongkat Ali in a nine-month-long study. 

Pine Pollen

Commonly known as an allergen, what most people are not aware of is its nutritional value when ingested. It is rich in Vitamins A, B-Carotene, B1, B2, B3, B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin D, and Vitamin E. Its host of minerals include Calcium, Copper, Iron, Manganese, Magnesium, Molybdenum, Phosphorous, Potassium, Selenium, Silicon, Sodium, and Zinc.

Aside from packing a punch with these vitamins and minerals, pine pollen is also known to improve testosterone levels, decrease fatigue, and also has anti-aging properties. It can also boost the immune system, aid in brain functions and health, help the body detoxify free radicals, aid weight loss, and also relieve pain. 

Thankfully, continuously drinking pine pollen isn’t harmful or toxic to the body. It is a tonic medicine and can adjust itself according to what your body would need at any given time. A superfood indeed!

You can buy pine pollen at major online superfood stores.

Super Medicinal Mushrooms

Superfoods Australia has an elixir that contains six mushrooms that have been known to possess health benefits and medicinal properties:

  • Chaga
  • Reishi
  • Cordyceps 
  • Maitake
  • Shiitake 
  • Lion’s Mane

Of the six, it is worth noting that Lion’s Mane and Chaga are two superfoods worth looking into. 

Lion’s Mane helps speed up recovery periods by helping the growth and repair of nerve cells. There have been studies that show that Lion’s Mane has Hericenones and Erinacines, compounds that affect the growth of nerve cells. The regeneration of nerve cells and the improved overall function of the hippocampus are affected by these compounds. 

Chaga mushrooms, on the other hand, have glyconutrients. Need to boost your immune system? Think your cells could use a little pick-me-up? Chaga mushrooms is the answer. 

Superfoods Everyday

These superfoods go beyond what we normally associate it with. Packed with powerful and potent compounds that aid bodily functions and recovery periods, these unique and somewhat exotic supplements should not be taken without consulting a health practitioner.