Can you be healthy with a high BMI?

Can you be healthy with a high BMI?

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    Evidence suggests that those with a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 25 are more likely to die younger due to diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes, but like most things - there are exceptions. Convincing evidence suggests that (on average) a higher BMI increases the risk of chronic disease and mortality, however, elite athletes and people with higher lean body mass (e.g. weight lifters) may have a higher BMI despite a lower cardiovascular risk conferred by the effects of regular exercise, and in many cases - healthier eating.

    A healthy BMI range may be higher for populations such as older people, those of Polynesian origin, and athletic individuals. Conversely, the healthy BMI range may be lower for people of Asian descent.

    Despite these exceptions, BMI remains a reliable and modifiable health risk factor for the general population and should be used as a guide to monitor a healthy weight range for most people. Most adults should therefore aim for a BMI in the 'healthy' range of 18.5 - 24.9. For the exceptions listed above, your doctor might look at other important assessments of health, including waist circumference, body fat composition, blood pressure and blood cholesterol.

    For reference:
    Australian Government - Department of Health

    http://healthyweight.health.gov.au/wps/portal/Home/get-started/are-you-a-healthy-weight/bmi/

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    What It Actually Does

    Ashwagandha is classified as an adaptogen - a substance that helps the body adapt to physical and psychological stress. But that description undersells the specificity of the evidence.

    In peer-reviewed clinical trials, ashwagandha root extract has been shown to:

    01

    Reduce serum cortisol levels significantly in adults under chronic stress

    02

    Support testosterone levels and muscle recovery in resistance-trained adults

    03

    Improve subjective measures of stress, anxiety, and wellbeing

    04

    Improve subjective measures of stress, anxiety, and wellbeing

    05

    Improve sleep quality and reduce time to sleep onset

    Why The Form Matters

    Here is where most supplement labels become misleading.
    The clinical trials that produced the evidence above didn't use generic ashwagandha root powder. They used standardised, patented extracts - specifically KSM-66® and Sensoril®, both of which are produced from roots using proprietary extraction methods that concentrate the active withanolides to a consistent, clinically meaningful level.
    Generic ashwagandha powder can contain anywhere from 1% to 8% withanolides. KSM-66® is standardised to a minimum of 5% withanolides with a full-spectrum root extract, which means it retains the natural balance of the plant's compounds rather than isolating one component.
    When you buy a supplement that says "ashwagandha" without specifying the extract form, you have no way of knowing whether it contains enough active compounds to do anything at all.
    At Arise, we use KSM-66® in every formula that contains ashwagandha. It's more expensive. It's worth it.

    Third-party Testing

    Supplements are not regulated the same way pharmaceuticals are. In most markets, a supplement company can put almost anything in a capsule and make almost any claim about it, as long as they don't claim to treat a specific disease.
    This is why third-party testing matters. It means an independent laboratory - one with no financial relationship to the supplement company - has tested the product to verify that:

    1. The ingredients listed are actually present
    2. They're present at the stated concentrations
    3. The product doesn't contain contaminants, heavy metals, or undisclosed substances

    Look for: NSF Certified for Sport, Informed Sport, or USP Verified certification on any supplement you take. These are the most rigorous third-party standards available.
    Every Arise formula is third-party tested before it reaches you. The results are available on request.

    The Honest Bottom Line

    Ashwagandha works. The evidence is genuinely strong. But the quality of the extract determines the quality of the outcome — and most of what's available on the market doesn't use the forms that the clinical research actually studied.
    Read the label. Ask for the extract form. Expect a specific answer.