The study used the root-derived Ashwa.30 ingredient from Natural Remedies, which is standardized to 15% withanolides and 15% of a “unique ATP-active fraction” that supports energy production at the cellular level.
New data published in Phytotherapy Research indicated that eight weeks of supplementation with Ashwa.30 led to significant improvements in VO2max and maximal heart rate, compared to the placebo.
Moreover, participants in the ashwagandha group exhibited lower lactic acid levels at exercise, suggesting prolonged aerobic metabolism.
“These findings suggest that Ashwa 0.30 may serve as a safe and effective low-dose adaptogenic intervention to support cardiorespiratory fitness, endurance performance and overall exercise tolerance in healthy individuals,” wrote researchers from Prajna Health Care and Ethicare Clinical Trial Services in India.
The study was funded by Natural Remedies Pvt. Ltd.
Ashwa.30
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) has a history of use in Ayurvedic medicine that dates back as much as 4,000 years to the teaching of renowned scholar Punarvasu Atreya and in subsequent works that make up the Ayurvedic tradition, according to a monograph from the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia (AHP). The name of the herb derives from Sanskrit, and means “smells like a horse”, in reference to the strong smell of the root which is said to be redolent of horse sweat or urine.
India-based Natural Remedies launched Ashwa.30 at Vitafoods Europe in 2025.
Suresh Lakshmikanthan, PhD, the company’s chief business officer, told NutraIngredients that the active nutrition category is expanding toward ‘lifestyle performance,’ where consumers demand precise, elite-level results without the burden of high-volume dosing.
“This new study on Ashwa.30 confirms that a precise 30 mg daily dose can deliver significant improvements in VO2 max and cardiorespiratory fitness,” he said. “We also observed reductions in creatine phosphokinase (CPK) levels and lactic acid accumulation, suggesting Ashwa.30 effectively prolongs aerobic metabolism by delaying the onset of fatigue and improving rating of perceived exertion (RPE).
“For manufacturers, this creates meaningful formulation flexibility, enabling a clinically validated, daily performance ingredient that integrates seamlessly into multi-ingredient stacks and modern delivery formats. For consumers, this is not just about ‘low dose’; it is about ‘high-precision’ performance that aligns with growing demand for safe, efficient, science-backed nutrition.”
Study details
Sixty-six healthy men and women (mean age 35.5) were randomly assigned to receive either Ashwa.30 (30 milligrams per day) or placebo for eight weeks. All participants performed a Modified Bruce Protocol Treadmill Test (MBPTT) at the start and end of the study. The primary endpoint was VO2max during this test.
Results showed a 10.1% in the ashwagandha group, compared to an increase of only 1.2% in the placebo group.
Significant increases in maximal heart rate were also observed in the ashwagandha group, compared to both baseline values and to placebo.
“This suggests improved cardiovascular response and exercise tolerance with [Ashwa.30] supplementation during the Modified Bruce Protocol Treadmill Test,” wrote the researchers.
Improvements in secondary endpoints were also reported by the researchers, including lower lactic acid levels at exercise.
Levels of creatine phosphokinase (CPK), a marker of muscle damage, were significantly reduced by almost 16% in the ashwagandha group, while non-significant changes were reported in the placebo group.
Improvements in Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) and fatigue scores were also reported for Ashwa.30.
Importantly, the ashwagandha product was well tolerated, the study noted, with no adverse events reported by the participants. In addition, parameters of blood, liver, kidney, and metabolism remained within normal clinical ranges.
“LDA [low-dose ashwagandha] supplementation for 8 weeks significantly enhanced cardiorespiratory fitness, delayed fatigue onset, and was safe for use in healthy adults,” the researchers wrote. “These findings support its potential as a safe and effective low-dose aid for endurance enhancement and overall exercise performance.”
Source: Phytotherapy Research. doi: 10.1002/ptr.70178. “Efficacy and Safety of Low-Dose Ashwagandha Supplementation on Exercise Endurance: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Clinical Trial”. Authors: H. Prajapati, et al.
