Ginseng (Fermented)

 

Ginseng: A New Breakthrough in Processing

Fermented Whole Ginseng Root

Whole Body Energy Support; Kidney and Liver Rejuvenator

Time-Proven Efficacy of Ginseng
For thousands of years, ginseng (Panax ginseng) has been used as a tonic for restoring the body’s natural balance of Qi (i.e. body energetics), including increasing mental efficiency and stimulating metabolic function. Modern western science now accepts ginseng as an adaptogen, a term which means that the herb increases the body’s resistance to stresses such as trauma, fatigue and illness. In short, it restores the body’s natural balance.

Ginseng is now frequently used in traditional medicine of China, Korea, Japan and other countries for the treatment of many conditions including psychiatric and neurological diseases and in particular, diabetes mellitus.

Main Active Component of Ginseng, Ginsenoside (ginseng saponin)
Ginseng contains several unique active ingredients not found in any other plant. The most important factors with medicinal properties are called ginsenosides, a class of steroid-like compounds called triterpene saponins, which affect many bodily pathways.

Chemically, ginsenosides are classified into seven different groups, all of which contain an “R” in their name. Each ginsenoside has its own special property and effect.

The Yin & Yang of Ginseng

According to traditional Oriental medicine theory, the interplay of two key ginsenosides creates the harmonic balance between Yin (passivity, darkness, slowness) and Yang (activity, light, quickness). Diol-type saponin has the ability to calm the body at times of stress and agitation. Triol-type saponin, on the other hand, increases performance, accelerates reaction time and has a positive effect in physical exhaustion and illness.

The key active components of ginseng are ginsenosides and glycosides, which contain aglycone (either protopanaxadiol or protopanoxatriol). These components must be hydrolyzed by intestinal bacteria to be absorbed into the body. Orally administered ginsenosides are difficult to break down, thus the absorption rate of ginsenosides through the intestines is very low. Therefore, an individual can only expect maximum ginseng effectiveness when specific intestinal bacteria exist in the body, which enable the body to hydrolyze and absorb ginsenosides.

 

Ginseng Components
Action
Polysaccharides Anti-diabetic activity; antineoplastic (anti-cancer) immuno-stimulator
Lignans Hepato-protective activity
Glycoproteins Radio-protective activity
Acidic peptides Insulin-like activity; antidiabetic; lipolysis (fat-burning) activity
Polyacetylene Growth inhibition of cancer cells; anti-lipid peroxidation effect; anti-platelet action
Saponin Anti-diabetic effect
Anti-inflammatory effect
Anti-tumor effect
Vasodilative action
Prevention of atherosclerosis
Anti-platelet aggregation
Fibrinolytic action
Anti-stress effect
Research: prevention and recovery from Alzheimer’s disease; recovery from kidney damage

Significant Differences in Absorption of Ginseng
The ginsenoside-hydrolyzing ability of intestinal bacteria varies widely from person to person. These differences exist, in part, based on a person’s physical health and the amount and type of intestinal bacteria that exists in the intestines.

To be effective, ginseng must be absorbed; to be absorbed, it must be hydrolyzed by microorganisms. This graph shows that less than 40% of the population can absorb ginseng’s key factors and only 4% of diabetics and 8% of cancer patients can do so.

The Superior Performance of Fermented Ginseng
In the left graph below, when ginsenoside Rb1 (not nanized) was administered, it was not detectable in the blood for 24 hours, whereas the metabolite FGM1 (indicative of ginsenoside hydrolysis) reached maximum levels slowly at 8 hours. This can be explained by 2 key factors: 1) poor absorption (0.1%) of Rb1 from the intestines and 2) poor conversion of Rb1 to FGM1 by intestinal bacteria.

In contrast, the right graph shows that, with nanized ginseng, the serum level of FGM1 was at a maximum within only 2 hours after administration. In conclusion, orally administered ginsenosides from unfermented ginseng are poorly absorbed from the intestines and poorly metabolized by intestinal bacteria, whereas nanized ginsenosides
are immediately and completely bioavailable.

Regular Ginseng Fermented Ginseng

Fermented Ginseng Addresses Individual Differences

In contrast to the poor absorption of typical ginseng, fermented ginseng is equally effective in all types of people, regardless of their ability to hydrolyze ginsenosides. Because fermented ginseng has been fermented by bacteria
that have hydrolyzed (broken down) the ginseng (during its fermentation process), it has become highly bioavailable.

Superior Results with Whole Root Ginseng
While ginsenosides play an extremely important role in the medicinal action of ginseng, other key components also work together synergistically with the ginsenosides to provide optimal clinical effectiveness. It is best to use the entire ginseng root, not just ginseng extract or isolated factors of ginseng. Using the entire ginseng root provides the entire spectrum of natural source nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, trace elements and alkaloids that possess spectacular benefits for the human body, but only when they are well absorbed.

Anti-Diabetic Effect of Nanized Ginseng

The graph below shows the comparison of individual differences in serum glucose levels after oral administration of ginseng saponin vs. fermented whole root ginseng This graph depicts the effects of fermented ginseng on serum glucose levels in streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemic rats (i.e. artificial diabetes).
Results: This graph shows administration of fermented ginseng to diabetic patients achieved near-normal glucose levels. Results: This graph shows fermented ginseng given to chemically-induced diabetic rats brought blood sugar levels to near-normal range.

Enhancement of Physical Stamina

Comparison of stamina after oral administration of ginseng extract vs. fermented ginseng by Rota-rod (i.e. a rotating rod where the test animal tries to stay upright)

Effect of ginseng extract (200 mg/kg/day p.o.) vs. fermented ginseng (200 mg/kg/day, p.o.) in the motor coordination evaluated in the mouse rota-rod test. Each sample was administered for 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks. The effects of nanized ginseng are far superior.