AstraGin® is a patented combination of astragalus and ginseng root from NuLiv Science with clinical evidence for boosting nutrient absorption and gut health. Here we’ll examine its properties, research, effects, and applications.
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In a hurry? Here are the highlights:
- AstraGin® is a patented combination of purified, pharmaceutical-grade Panax notoginseng and Astragalus membranaceus from NuLiv Science, Inc.
- It has clinical evidence for boosting nutrient absorption, immune function, gut health, and protein synthesis.
- AstraGin® can be especially useful in a pre-workout setting where augmented glucose uptake and protein synthesis would be desirable.
Product Mentions:
-- Jacked Factory Build XT Powder
-- Jacked Factory Build XT Capsules
Contents
What is AstraGin?
AstraGin® is a patented combination of purified, pharmaceutical-grade Panax notoginseng and Astragalus membranaceus from NuLiv Science, Inc. that helps optimize gut health and nutrient absorption. AstraGin® has been referred to as a “gut nutraceutical”1,2.
AstraGin Benefits
AstraGin® has clinical evidence showing that it may:
- Increase the absorption of peptides, amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, and phytonutrients.
- Rejuvenate ulcerated and damaged intestinal walls and reduce intestinal submucosa inflammation.
- Support the digestive system by maintaining a healthy microbiota population.
- Help support stronger immune functions.
- Increase muscle protein synthesis via enhancing liver ATP production and amino acid uptake.
AstraGin Review
Gut health significantly impacts immunity, sleep, cardiovascular health, cognition, sleep, and more. The integrity of the gut microbiota is important for the correct and optimal absorption of nutrients. Nutritional substances -- glucose, amino acids, vitamins, etc. -- are absorbed along the entire GI tract. In the cases of glucose and amino acids, special transporters and channels are utilized for absorption. These active transporters are mediated by the enzyme mRNA.
Chang, Huang, Wang, et al demonstrated that AstraGin® seems to significantly enhance glucose uptake via modulation of mRNA expression levels of the Na+/glucose cotransporter 1 (SGLT1) gene3–5.
Lee et al noted that, through modulating the mTOR signaling pathway, AstraGin® augments amino acid uptake and subsequent protein synthesis and “can contribute to epithelial barrier repair following intestinal injury, and may offer a therapeutic avenue in treating irritable bowel disease”6.
The video below from NuLiv Science summarizes these mechanisms:
Click for Transcript
90% of absorption occurs in the small intestine. Many nutrients we consume such as turmeric or calcium are either marginally or poorly absorbed by the body. AstraGin enhances nutrient uptake by activating certain transporter molecules in your small intestine, allowing more nutrients to cross the intestinal lumen and into the bloodstream for use by our organs, muscles, and more. AstraGin -- better health through better absorption
AstraGin® can be useful anytime you want to enhance absorption of other supplements, especially in a pre-workout setting where augmented glucose uptake and protein synthesis would be desirable.
AstraGin vs. BioPerine (Piperine)
AstraGin® seems to have complex mechanisms, the most important of which appears to be the modulation of certain mRNA transporters (SLGT1, GLUT4, CAT1, etc.) to move and improve the absorption of glucose, amino acids, and more3–5.
BioPerine® (piperine; black pepper extract), on the other hand, inhibits the drug transporter P-glycoprotein and the drug-metabolizing enzyme CYP3A4, thereby preventing or delaying the breakdown and elimination of compounds taken alongside it. BioPerine® is most commonly seen paired with things like curcumin that have inherently poor bioavailability7.
Theoretically, AstraGin® and BioPerine® taken together should be able to enhance absorption more than either by itself.
Is AstraGin Safe?
AstraGin® has GRAS (Generally Regarded As Safe) status from the FDA. This means it is also safe at 100x the recommended dose. Thus, AstraGin® is safe for human consumption at normal dosages.
Talk to your doctor before taking AstraGin® with prescription medication, as it may affect its metabolism.
AstraGin Supplements
AstraGin® has begun to be included in many pre-workout supplements to increase bioavailability and utilization. It should go great with things like creatine monohydrate, PeakO2®, and ElevATP®. Luckily, Build XT™ from Jacked Factory does exactly that. It’s available in powder or capsule form.
Build XT™ Powder
Build XT™ Capsules
References
- 1.NuLiv Science. A full spectrum gut health nutraceutical for absorption, gut lining health, and gut microbiota. NuLiv Science. https://nulivscience.com/ingredients/astragin.
- 2.NuLiv Science Inc. Method for enhancing nutrient absorption with astragalosides. April 2009. https://patents.google.com/patent/US8197860B2/en.
- 3.Wang C-W, Huang Y-C, Chan F-N, et al. A gut microbial metabolite of ginsenosides, compound K, induces intestinal glucose absorption and Na+/glucose cotransporter 1 gene expression through activation of cAMP response element binding protein. Mol Nutr Food Res. March 2015:670-684. doi:10.1002/mnfr.201400688
- 4.Huang Y-C, Lin C-Y, Huang S-F, Lin H-C, Chang W-L, Chang T-C. Effect and Mechanism of Ginsenosides CK and Rg1 on Stimulation of Glucose Uptake in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes. J Agric Food Chem. May 2010:6039-6047. doi:10.1021/jf9034755
- 5.Chang T-C, Huang S-F, Yang T-C, Chan F-N, Lin H-C, Chang W-L. Effect of Ginsenosides on Glucose Uptake in Human Caco-2 Cells Is Mediated through Altered Na+/Glucose Cotransporter 1 Expression. J Agric Food Chem. March 2007:1993-1998. doi:10.1021/jf062714k
- 6.Lee S-Y, Tsai W-C, Lin J-C, et al. Astragaloside II promotes intestinal epithelial repair by enhancing L-arginine uptake and activating the mTOR pathway. Sci Rep. September 2017. doi:10.1038/s41598-017-12435-y
- 7.Shoba G, Joy D, Joseph T, Majeed M, Rajendran R, Srinivas P. Influence of Piperine on the Pharmacokinetics of Curcumin in Animals and Human Volunteers. Planta Med. May 1998:353-356. doi:10.1055/s-2006-957450
Medical Disclaimer: While I love diving into and extracting useful information from clinical research related to health, fitness, supplements, and more, I am in no way a medical expert. The content on this website is for informational purposes only; it is not professional medical advice, nor is it a substitute for professional medical advice. None of the statements on this website have been evaluated by the FDA. Products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Read my lengthier medical disclaimer here.
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