your natural self

AstraGin® — A New Way to Support Digestive Health and Improve Overall Wellness

Published on February 14, 2024


By Lisa Stockwell

Lisa Stockwell

Lisa Stockwell has worked as a copywriter, writer, author, and editor for 35 years, specializing in the field of healthcare since 2009. She recognized the need for reliable health information while supporting friends through unique health challenges and refocused her career to bring clarity and compassion to healthcare communications. Lisa is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley and a lifelong Northern Californian.

http://lisastockwell.com/

When it comes to your health, seemingly unrelated symptoms can be a sign that your digestive system is not working efficiently.

Your gut is home to 70 to 80 percent of the immune cells in your body. It is crucial in nutrient absorption and influences how your body processes toxins and pathogens. If it’s not functioning properly, it can affect your overall health and well-being. 

Enter AstraGin®. If you’ve been struggling with your health or want to maintain good health, AstraGin®, a new clinically-studied botanical blend of Astragalus membranaceus and Panax notoginseng extracts, supports your gut health in multiple ways, paving the way for optimal health from within. 

This article introduces you to AstraGin® and its beneficial ingredients. It reviews the impact of good gut health and how AstraGin® supports digestive health and gastrointestinal function. Discover why this exciting new plant-based blend is showing up in supplements formulated to support overall health.

What is AstraGin®?

Life thrives on partnerships, from coffee and cream to the happiest marriages. It's a principle that often is found in herbalism. Some natural compounds unlock their true potential when combined. 

AstraGin® is such a partnership. This clinically-studied botanical blend of Astragalus membranaceus and Panax notoginseng extracts shows great potential to support numerous areas of digestive (gut) health by supporting a healthy gut lining

Astragalus membranaceus is a flowering plant, the root of which is an adaptogen — a plant that supports the body's natural ability to cope with physical and mental stressors. It’s been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to support digestive and immune health and is used to support the body’s conversion of food into energy.REF#3529 

Panax notoginseng is a species of the ginseng root family that has been used specifically to support healthy blood circulation and protect cardiovascular function REF#3530 REF#3531 It is similar to the more popular Panax ginseng, which is used to support overall vitality but has a different chemical makeup.

The Impact of Good Gut Health

Why should you be concerned with your gut health?

A healthy gut can transform your everyday life, going far beyond just comfortable digestion with:

  • Enhanced energy: Poor gut health can sap your energy, leaving you feeling sluggish and drained. When your gut efficiently absorbs nutrients and keeps inflammation at bay, you enjoy more energy and vitality.
  • Sharper focus: The gut-brain connection is real! An imbalanced gut microbiome can affect cognitive function. When your gut thrives, it sends positive signals to the brain, promoting sharper focus and mental clarity.
  • Stronger immune system: Your gut houses 70 to 80 percent of your body’s immune cells. A healthy gut microbiome thrives with good bacteria, keeping you healthy and active.
  • Improved mood and sense of well-being: The gut produces a significant portion of serotonin, the "feel-good" neurotransmitter. When your gut microbiome is happy, it manufactures more serotonin. You may find yourself less prone to anxiety and more resilient to stress.
  • Healthy skin and hair: When your gut functions optimally, it absorbs vital nutrients needed for healthy skin and hair. REF#3532
  • Digestive comfort and regularity: Of course, let's not forget the basics! A healthy gut ensures efficient digestion, minimizing bloating, gas, and other uncomfortable symptoms. You'll experience predictable bowel movements and feel lighter and more comfortable throughout the day.

When your digestive system is functioning perfectly, your whole body benefits.

How AstraGin Works within the Gut

Sometimes, even the most nourishing food faces a barrier: the body’s intestinal walls. This is where AstraGin® steps in, helping unlock the full potential of nutrients — vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids — and their bioavailability benefits. 

Before your body can utilize the nutrients you consume, they must first be absorbed through the intestinal lining. However, certain factors like poor water solubility, large molecular size, and chemical instability can hinder the absorption of some nutrients and supplements. Additionally, microbiome imbalance or a damaged mucosal lining can impact absorption.

AstraGin® meets the challenge by working with the body's natural mechanisms. It allows for optimal nutrient absorption by:

  • Increasing nutrient transporters: AstraGin® increases the production and activity of molecules called nutrient transporters, which control the amount of amino acids, vitamins, and other essential nutrients that enter the intestinal cells and get transported to the bloodstream.
  • Supporting a healthy gut lining: The gut lining is only one cell thick and replaces itself every few days. Tissue repair is part of a healthy inflammatory response; however chronic gut inflammation can compromise the lining of the small intestine, hindering nutrient absorption. AstraGin® promotes a healthy gut barrier by supporting a normal inflammatory response, which supports a healthy mucosal lining.REF#3533

Over 20 in-vitro and two human clinical studies have demonstrated AstraGin's effectiveness in supporting healthy intestinal mucosal tissue and a balanced gut microbiome. Additionally, these studies suggest a positive impact on:

  • Immune support: A healthy gut barrier allows the body to distinguish between friendly gut bacteria and potentially harmful invaders and educates the immune system to act smarter. AstraGin® may offer potential immune-supporting properties related to its gut health-promoting effects.
  • Toxin barrier: A healthy gut lining acts as a barrier against harmful materials. By supporting mucosal integrity, AstraGin® may indirectly contribute to improved toxin control.

AstraGin's unique approach to promoting gut health offers a new option for maintaining optimal well-being. By supporting the body's natural mechanisms, AstraGin® provides a safe way to support a healthy gut ecosystem and protect the entire gastrointestinal terrain (environment) .

Who Might Benefit From AstraGin®

Everyone can benefit from a healthy gut microbiome. 

However, some people need more support than others. Your gut microbiome is affected by genetics, lifestyle, stress, smoking, drinking alcohol, and the food you eat. AstraGin® may benefit you if you are under periods of stress, are taking medications that affect the digestive system, have digestive issues, are underweight, or have unhealthy eating habits that result in nutrient deficiency. 

According to Gaia Herbs’ Formulation Manager, Susan Hirsch, “I think AstraGin® is one of the most important products a person should take. The digestive tract is ground zero for immune, metabolic, and digestive health, and a healthy intact gut barrier and healthy absorption of nutrients are crucial for maintaining whole body health. It is the foundation of health, and we are what we absorb (not just what we eat).”

AstraGin® in Gaia Herbs Products

At Gaia Herbs, we celebrate natural solutions with scientifically supported benefits. Our unwavering commitment to purity and efficacy guides our ingredient selection.

AstraGin® meets our exacting requirements for safety for our consumers and the environment and complies with all applicable GMP standards for manufacturing, testing, and finished packaging. The Astragalus membranaceus and Panax notoginseng roots used in AstraGin® undergo a meticulous extraction process involving water and ethanol, which are then completely removed, ensuring a clean and gentle extract to enhance nutrient absorption and support digestive health.

Therefore, we look forward to introducing AstraGin® in upcoming Gaia Herbs digestive health formulations, such as our Gut Revival for digestive support.

For product updates, frequent our blog and social media channels. You can also join our email list for exclusive announcements and insights.

REFERENCES:

  • 1. , "A review of the botany, phytochemistry, traditional uses, pharmacology, toxicology, and quality control of the Astragalus memeranaceus", Front Pharmacol..
  • 2. , "Traditional uses, botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F.H. Chen: A review.", Journal Ethnopharmaco..
  • 3. , "Protective Effects of Panax Notoginseng Saponins on Cardiovascular Diseases: A Comprehensive Overview of Experimental Studies", Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
  • 4. , "Impact of gut microbiome on skin health: gut-skin axis observed through the lenses of therapeutics and skin diseases", Gut Microbes.
  • 5. , "Effect of Astragalus membranaceus and Panax notoginseng extract on arginine absorption, intestinal permeability, microbiota population, immune activation, and appetite in human subjects: A Pilot Study", Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology.