The plant-based ingredient company NuLiv Science has announced the results of a new human clinical study evaluating the effects of AstraGin on whey protein amino acid absorption and muscle function across different age groups.
AstraGin is the company's patented compound derived from Astragalus membranaceus and Panax notoginseng saponins.
Published in Nutrients, the randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial investigated whether Astragalus and Panax saponins (APS), marketed as AstraGin, enhance the absorption of amino acids from whey protein and support functional outcomes related to muscle performance.
Thirty healthy adults participated in a study divided into three age groups. The research consisted of two phases: a single-dose trial to measure immediate amino acid absorption after whey protein intake and a four-week supplementation phase with resistance training to assess long-term effects.
Results showed that AstraGin supplementation improved the absorption of key branched-chain amino acids—valine, leucine and isoleucine—compared to placebo.
After four weeks of daily supplementation, it continued to enhance amino acid absorption and supported arginine uptake.
The most significant benefits were observed in older adults (60-80 years), who showed greater essential amino acid absorption and notable functional improvements, including increased grip strength and muscle mass after resistance training.
"Publishing our latest study in a journal with an impact factor of six is a major milestone," said CEO Richard Wang.
It is rare to demonstrate a clear link between absorption and physical performance in human trials. This study doesn't just show that AstraGin helps the body absorb protein; it demonstrates protein absorption leading to improved muscle function, which is the ultimate goal.
The authors concluded that AstraGin enhances the absorption of amino acids from whey protein and supports improvements in muscle strength and muscle mass.
Additionally, favourable changes were observed in biomarkers related to gut permeability.
These findings underscore AstraGin's potential to enhance the efficacy of protein supplementation, particularly in healthy ageing and performance-focused applications.