Any time spent in the wellness world will probably result in coming across Chinese ginseng and its many benefits for the human body. Astragin, a derivative of ginseng, is a supplement that has caught the eye of many bodybuilders, and for a good reason. But is it the right supplement for you?
What is Astragin?
Astragin is a plant-derived compound found in Chinese ginseng. Ginseng has been a staple in Chinese medicine for centuries, particularly to aid with pain and inflammation. Astragin is isolated and extracted from the root of the plant.
Astragin has been shown in clinical trials to help the body’s gut microbiome heal and absorb nutrients more quickly. In particular, it can increase the absorption of peptides, amino acids, vitamins, and phytonutrients. This is great news for athletes like bodybuilders and weightlifters who want to improve their recovery time between heavy lifting sessions.
How Does Astragin Affect the Body When Taken?
The creators of Astragin have a working theory that operates on two principles: activating some transporter proteins and supporting a flourishing gut environment. Their studies indicate that taking Astragin reduces general inflammation throughout the intestines and digestive system.
With the intestines being less inflamed, they can better absorb nutrients from the foods that are digested. With a large percentage of the adult population experiencing some degree of gut inflammation, the idea that a supplement could help ease this issue is an exciting discovery. Athletes, in particular, should prioritize a healthy gut to function more optimally overall.
What are the Benefits of Astragin?
The benefits of Astragin can be far-reaching, considering it can help your body absorb a multitude of vitamins and foods more efficiently, and each can have an impact. That said, the main benefit of Astragin overall is a reduction in inflammation – particularly in the small intestine.
This reduction in inflammation is what leads to the increased bioavailability of nutrients from foods and supplements. A healthier gut is directly linked to many positive effects on the body, like improved mental clarity, less bloating, better quality rest, clearer skin, and more.
Because of Astragin’s ability to increase the rate of absorption for ingredients like amino acids and proteins, it can be added to supplements like pre-workouts, protein powders, and BCAA’s to increase their efficacy.
Which Supplements Absorb Better When Combined with Astragin?
The creators and patent holders of Astragin find their research lends credence to its ability to increase the rate of absorption for several supplements:
- Protein – both whey protein and plant-derived proteins
- Amino acids
- Curcumin
- Fatty acids
- Glucosamine
- Probiotics
- Vitamins
These supplements, particularly protein, and amino acids, being metabolized more efficiently can positively impact bodybuilders in many ways. If the athlete’s body can ingest the nutrients more efficiently, that leads to faster recovery time between workouts and better muscle building.
A better functioning gut also leads to lower inflammation, which can positively impact mental focus, better rest, and an overall improved physique.
Will Supplement Formulas that Contain Astragin Really Perform Better?
The purpose of adding Astragin to supplement formulations is to increase the bioavailability of certain ingredients, like amino acids or proteins. Athletes would most likely see these results from taking Astragin with pre-workout supplements or protein supplements containing amino acids.
So far, research indicates that Astragin can increase the bioavailability of these supplements in a significant way. That said, focusing energy on dialing in your daily diet is likely to have more tangible positive effects.
For a healthy and well-functioning gut that can absorb all nutrients most effectively, ensure you eat a well-rounded and colorful diet, get great rest, and manage your stress. If all of these steps are being taken, exploring Astragin to help your gut health further can be a great choice.
What’s the Best Dosage for Astragin?
Astragin is still a very new supplement, and trials are still ongoing. However, doses as low as 25mg daily have yielded positive results. NuLiv Science, the creators of Astragin, recommend a daily dosage of 50mg. [1]
As always, starting with a half dose of a new supplement is recommended to evaluate how your body handles adding it to your routine. Then, if you tolerate it well, consider moving up to the full dosage.
Does Astragin Have Any Side Effects?
Trials on Astragin have been conducted on animals, in vitro, and limited human trials as well. As of the time of publishing, there are no known harmful side effects associated with taking Astragin each day.
Because it impacts the digestive system, some athletes may want to monitor for any unwanted changes to their digestion.
When is the Best Time to Take Astragin?
So far, there doesn’t seem to be research indicating that timing the intake of Astragin (by itself) has any impact on how the body absorbs it. That said, it is a supplement that can be added to others, and the timing of those supplements may impact their usage.
For example, some companies may add Astragrin to their pre-workout supplement to increase the bioavailability of some included amino acids. In these cases, ideal dosage timing will be included on the product’s label.
Conclusion
Astragin is a new supplement created by NuLiv Science and derived from Ginseng, one of the oldest and best-known wellness supplements. While it is new to the market and more research needs to be done, it shows promising results that could positively impact strength athletes.
