A combination of astragalus and ginseng extracts marketed as AstraGin by NuLiv Science significantly improves arginine absorption and nitric oxide production, which are respectively relevant for pre-workout and cardiovascular health applications, according to a study published in Functional Foods in Health and Disease.
 
The randomized, double-blind, crossover study included a cohort of 24 subjects between the ages of 20 and 80 years who received five grams of arginine powder and one capsule of AstraGin or a placebo twice daily, with a washout period between each administration.
 
After supplementation with AstraGin, the area under the curve (AUC) of arginine significantly increased by 17.3% (p=0.041) and the maximum arginine concentration increased by 11.1%.
 
Meanwhile, the Arg/ADMA ratio, an indicator of overall cardiovascular health, saw a significant improvement of 167.1%. The study also found that urinary nitrate and cGMP levels, indicative of nitric oxide production and cardiovascular health, increased by 20.8% and 18.9% respectively.
 
According to NuLiv Science, these findings position AstraGin as an ingredient relevant to pre-workout and cardiovascular support formulas.