What is AstraGin and why is it included in Supplements?

What is AstraGin?

AstraGin® is a patented natural compound made from a combination of highly purified extracts from two plants:

1. Astragalus membranaceus
2. Panax notoginseng 

It is a 100% natural ingredient and is designed to enhance nutrient absorption and promote a healthy gut environment. Some key points about AstraGin® include:

• It's confirmed as Generally Recognised as Safe (GRAS) by the FDA
• Certified Trusted by Informed Choice
• Shown to increase absorption of various nutrients, including amino acids, vitamins, and minerals.

AstraGin® has demonstrated through in vitro, in vivo, and human studies to:

• Enhance absorption of a broad spectrum of nutrients, such as amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, and phyto-compounds by up regulating their transporter proteins (1, 2, 3, 4).
• Restore gut wall integrity by reducing gut inflammation and increasing intestinal epithelial cell and tight junction regeneration (3,4,5).
• Promote microbiota homeostasis by restoring gut wall integrity (5).
• Activate immune system through increased immune cell activation and enhanced microbiota-immune system communication (5).
  

How does AstraGin Work? 

Improved Nutrient Absorption

Many nutrients, such as amino acids, need active transport to be absorbed by the enterocytes (the cells lining the intestines) before entering the circulation.  AstraGin® works by:

1. Increasing the number of active nutrient transporters in intestinal cells
2. Enhancing the mRNA and protein expressions related to these transporters
3. Supporting the repair and growth of intestinal tissues

Nutrients in foods must be digested into smaller molecules before absorbed into the body. Once absorbed, 30-50% of these nutrients will be used by the gut itself for its own metabolism (e.g., oxidation and protein synthesis) and only 50-70% of the absorbed nutrients will become available to the rest of the body (7, 8, 9).

The single layer epithelial lining of the gastrointestinal tract is central to nutrient uptake and acts as barrier against bacteria and toxins. Nutrients such as glucose and amino acids are transported and absorbed by various transporters embedded on the membranes of enterocytes, the most abundant type of cells originating from intestinal epithelial cells (6). For example, transporter CAT1 is required for arginine, lysine, and histidine absorption in the small intestine. AstraGin® increases the mRNA and protein expression of specific transporters to enhance the absorption of amino acids, nutrients, vitamins and phytonutrients.

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Supporting Gut Health

Gut health plays a pivotal role in maintaining overall well-being. The gut is responsible for absorption, where essential nutrients from the food we consume are assimilated into the bloodstream, sustaining bodily functions. A healthy gut lining, comprised of tightly packed cells and abundant nutrient transporters, ensures efficient nutrient absorption while helping to prevent harmful substances from entering the bloodstream.

The microbiota, a diverse community of microorganisms residing in the gut, also influences health. A balanced microbiome supports digestion, synthesises vitamins, and helps to bolster the immune system. A good population of healthy bacteria also prevents the overgrowth of harmful bacteria. 

A 2023 randomized, double-blind parallel study (9) was conducted on eight ulcerative colitis patients aged 20-80. Before breakfast and dinner each day for three months, patients were given either a placebo capsule or an AstraGin capsule. Patients underwent blood and fecal tests to gather data on plasma arginine, indicators of inflammation and appetite, and fecal microorganisms. In addition, they underwent a leaky gut test, and their colonic tissue was examined.

In AstraGin subjects, researchers observed “notable increases” in good gut bacteria, including a 420% increase in Faecalibacterium prausmitzii and a 180% increase in Bifidobacterium adolescentis. Both play crucial roles in gut health.

AstraGin supplement was also shown to significantly decrease growth of harmful bacteria, resulting in a 98% decrease in Prevotella and mitigating Enterobacteriaceae with a mere 14% increase compared to a 614% increase observed in the placebo group.

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AstraGin® also showed to reduce gut inflammation and restore gut wall integrity in human study participants with Ulcerative Colitis, demonstrated by calprotectin, lactulose/mannitol, MPO, IL-1β, and IL-6, IL-17 biomarkers, and histological evaluation of colon biopsy. These results are likely due to AstraGin® activating the mTOR protein synthesis pathway for rapid cell regeneration. This was a study on a small sample size and there still needs to be more research conducted but this is very promising.

Benefits of AstraGin 

As we have outlined in this article Astragin has a number of benefits including - 

1. Enhanced nutrient absorption
2. Improved gut health
3. Increased amino acid absoprtion that may increase protein synthesis
4. Immune system support
5. Improves the absorption of other supplements, potentially boosting their efficacy

By supporting gut health, enhancing nutrient absorption, and improving various physiological functions, AstraGin can contribute to overall health and wellness, making it a valuable addition to the MARCHON Advanced Multivitamin.

Here is an overview of the data from the human studies performed on Astragin.

AstraGin may also enhance the body’s immune response. In the study, AstraGin subjects saw an 11% increase in neutrophil cells and a 20.5% increase in lymphocyte immune cells. AstraGin supplementation also improve absorption of L-arginine compared to the control group, and AstraGin subjects also experienced a positive impact on the appetite hormone ghrelin which can be affected by gut health issues.

Why we included AstraGin in our Advanced Multivitamin 

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We included Astragin in the MARCHON Advanced Multivitamin to specifically help increase absorption of folate, improve immunity and support gut health but also enhance the efficacy of other products in our range such as fish oil, amino acids from our whey protein, plant protein, creatine and Citrulline in the Workout Fuel.

Whilst you’re here, be sure to check out the MARCHON Advanced Multivitamin.

References

1. TC Chang, etc. Effect of Ginsenosides on Glucose Uptake in Human Caco-2 Cells Is Mediated through Altered Na Glucose Cotransporter 1 Expression. J. Agric. Food Chem. 2007, 55, 1993-1998.
2. SF Huang, etc. Effect of Ginsenoside Rb1 on Glucose Uptake and Expression of Glucose Transporter in Animal Cells. Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Manitoba, Canada. April 2010.
3. SY Lee, etc. Astragaloside II promotes intestinal epithelial repair by enhancing L-arginine uptake and activating the mTOR pathway. Scientific reports. September 2017.
4. Wl Chang, etc. Astragalus membranaceus and Panax notoginseng saponins improves intestinal arginine absorption and protects against intestinal disorder in vivo. Food sciences and research technology. July 2022.
5. CP Lin, etc. Effect of Astragalus membranaceus and Panax notoginseng extract on arginine absorption, intestinal permeability, microbiota population, immune activation, and appetite in human subjects with Ulcerative Colitis: A Pilot Study. J of Biochemistry and Biotechnology. 
6. Senda Bahri - Mechanisms and kinetics of citrulline uptake in a model of human intestinal epithelialcells. Clin Nutr. 2008;27(6):872-80.
7. Stefan Bröer Amino Acid Transport Across the Mammalian Intestine. Compr Physiol. 2018 Dec13;9(1):343-373.
8. Yuki Toyokawa Ginsenoside Rb1 promotes intestinal epithelial wound healing through extracellular signal-regulated kinase and Rho signaling. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2019 Jul;34(7):1193-1200.
9. Ching-Pin Lin, et al 2023. Effect of Astragalus membranaceus and Panax notoginseng extract on arginine absorption, intestinal permeability, microbiota population, immune activation, and appetite in human subjects with Ulcerative Colitis: A Pilot Study. Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology (2023) Volume 6, Issue 2

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