FORTALEZA

Muscle health is a key predictor of longevity. New research indicates that maintaining healthy muscle mass is crucial. It has also been found that muscle mass and muscle quality decrease with age and other factors such as the use of GLP-1 medications. That's why we created Strength - a unique combinationof ingredients clinically shown to support muscle health: Epicatechin, myHMB®, PurpleForce® Purple Tea, Senactiv®, and AstraGin®. 

Epicatechin

Epicatechin, found in dark chocolate, green tea, and certain fruits, belongs to the catechin family of flavonoids. It has garnered attention for its potential to promote muscle growth, enhance exercise performance, and support overall health.^1,2 One of the ways epicatechin works is by inhibiting myostatin, a protein that limits muscle growth.³ By blocking myostatin, epicatechin can potentially increase muscle protein synthesis, leading to muscle growth. Additionally, epicatechin enhances the production of nitric oxide, which improves blood flow and nutrient delivery to the muscles. This increased circulation may further support muscle growth and exercise performance. Another beneficial mechanism of epicatechin is its ability to stimulate mitochondrial biogenesis, resulting in the production of new mitochondria. This, in turn, enhances endurance, energy production, and overall muscle function. Epicatechin has been shown to promote muscle protein synthesis, increasing muscle growth and strength. Epicatechin has also been associated with increased muscle fiber size, contributing to muscle hypertrophy and improved muscle density. Improved blood flow and nitric oxide production facilitated by epicatechin can enhance exercise performance, including endurance, strength, and power output.¹

myHMB^®

myHMB^® contains β-Hydroxy β-Methylbutyrate (HMB), a metabolite of the essential amino acid leucine. It has gained popularity for its potential benefits in muscle recovery, strength, and exercise performance.^4,5 myHMB® consists of pure β-Hydroxy β-Methylbutyrate (HMB), a naturally occurring compound found in small amounts in certain foods. HMB is produced during the breakdown of leucine, an essential amino acid.

HMB exerts its effects through several mechanisms. It stimulates protein synthesis, supporting muscle growth, repair, and maintenance. HMB also reduces muscle protein breakdown, preserving lean muscle mass during intense exercise, caloric restriction, or muscle-damaging conditions. Additionally, HMB possesses anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce exercise-induced muscle damage and promote recovery. HMB supplementation accelerates recovery from intense exercise, reduces muscle soreness, and promotes repair and adaptation. HMB may also enhance muscle strength and power, particularly in individuals engaged in resistance training or high-intensity activities. It has shown promise in preventing muscle loss during caloric restriction, aging, or situations where muscle breakdown may occur. ⁶

PurpleForce^® Purple Tea

PurpleForce^® Purple Tea is derived from a unique cultivar of Camellia sinensis known as purple tea. It contains bioactive compounds that contribute to potential health benefits. PurpleForce^® Purple Tea is made from the leaves of a specially cultivated purple tea plant (Camellia sinensis). It contains anthocyanins, catechins (including epicatechin), flavonoids, and other polyphenols.

Mechanistically, PurpleForce^® Purple Tea improves antioxidant activity, thanks to its high levels of anthocyanins and catechins. These antioxidants help combat oxidative stress and reduce exercise-induced free radicals, aiding in muscle recovery and reducing muscle damage. The bioactive compounds in purple tea can midigate exercise-induced muscle soreness. Additionally, purple tea enhances nitric oxide production, improving blood flow and nutrient delivery to the muscles, which may support muscle growth and performance.⁷

PurpleForce^® Purple Tea aids in post-exercise recovery by leveraging its antioxidant to reduce muscle soreness and support muscle repair. Purple tea's catechins, including epicatechin, may increase muscle protein synthesis, promoting muscle growth and strength. It may also enhance exercise performance, including endurance, strength, and power output, through improved blood flow and nutrient delivery. Moreover, the high antioxidant content of purple tea contributes to overall health, supporting immune function and cardiovascular health.⁸

Senactiv^®

Senactiv^® is another ingredient that further supports muscle growth and recovery. It contains a proprietary blend of bioactive compounds designed to enhance mitochondrial function, reduce oxidative stress, and optimize cellular energy production. It includes bioactive compounds such as Panax notoginseng and Rosa roxburghii.

Senactiv^®'s mechanisms of action involve stimulating the production of new mitochondria, which enhances cellular energy production and muscle function. It also possesses antioxidant properties, reducing oxidative stress, combating free radicals, and minimizing exercise-induced muscle damage. Additionally, Senactiv^® may support nitric oxide production, which improves blood flow, nutrient delivery, and oxygenation to muscles, further supporting muscle growth and recovery.^9,10

Senactiv^® supports mitochondrial function and reduces oxidative stress, aiding in faster muscle recovery and reducing exercise-induced muscle damage. Improved mitochondrial function enhances cellular energy production, improving muscle performance, endurance, and physical capacity. Senactiv^®'s antioxidant activity reduces oxidative stress, and inflammation, and promotes optimal muscle recovery. Its potential enhancement of nitric oxide production improves blood flow, nutrient delivery, and oxygenation to muscles, supporting muscle growth and recovery.¹¹

AstraGin^®

AstraGin^® is a proprietary blend of natural ingredients developed to enhance nutrient absorption and improve overall bioavailability. It maximizes the benefits of various nutrients, including amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. AstraGin^® contains extracts of Astragalus membranaceus and Panax notoginseng.

AstraGin^® exerts its effects through multiple mechanisms. It upregulates the expression and activity of specific nutrient transporters in the intestines, enhancing the absorption of amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. AstraGin^® also supports the integrity of tight junctions, which maintain a barrier between intestinal cells, preventing the leakage of nutrients and toxins.¹²

The potential benefits of AstraGin^® include improved absorption of amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, optimizing their utilization by the body. AstraGin^® enhances the bioavailability of various compounds, ensuring a higher percentage of ingested nutrients reach the systemic circulation. It also facilitates the synergistic effects of different nutrients, potentially improving their overall efficacy. Additionally, AstraGin^® maintains the integrity of the intestinal barrier, supporting gut health and reducing the risk of intestinal permeability.¹³

1. Mafi, F., Biglari, S., Ghardashi Afousi, A., & Gaeini, A. A. (n.d. ). Improvement in Skeletal Muscle Strength and Plasma Levels of Follistatin and Myostatin Induced by an 8-Week Resistance Training and Epicatechin Supplementation in Sarcopenic Older Adults, Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 27(3), 384-391. https://doi.org/10.1123/japa.2017-0389

2. McDonald, C., Henricson, E., Oskarsson, B., Aguilar, C., Nicorici, A., Joyce, N., Reddy, D., Wagner, A., deBie, E., Goude, E., Abresch, R., Villareal, F., Perkins, G., Hathout, Y., Dugar, S., & Schreiner, G. (2015). Epicatechin enhances mitochondrial biogenesis, increases dystrophin and utrophin, increases follistatin while decreasing myostatin, and improves skeletal muscle exercise response in adults with Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD). Neuromuscular Disorders, 25(Supplement 2), S314-S315. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nmd.2015.06.456

3. Ramirez-Sanchez I, Maya L, Ceballos G, Villarreal F. (-)-epicatechin activation of endothelial cell endothelial nitric oxide synthase, nitric oxide, and related signaling pathways. Hypertension. 2010 Jun;55(6):1398-405. doi: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.109.147892. Epub 2010 Apr 19. PMID: 20404222; PMCID: PMC2874202. https://doi.org/10.1161/hypertensionaha.109.147892

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6. Bear DE, Langan A, Dimidi E, Wandrag L, Harridge SDR, Hart N, Connolly B, Whelan K. β-Hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate and its impact on skeletal muscle mass and physical function in clinical practice: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Clin Nutr. 2019 Apr 1;109(4):1119-1132. doi: 10.1093/a- jcn/nqy373. PMID: 30982854. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/nqy373

7. Shimoda H, Hitoe S, Nakamura S, Matsuda H. Purple Tea and Its Extract Suppress Diet-induced Fat Accumulation in Mice and Human Subjects by Inhibiting Fat Absorption and Enhancing Hepatic Carnitine Palmitoyltransferase Expression. Int J Biomed Sci. 2015 Jun;11(2):67-75. PMID: 26199579; PMCID: PMC4502735. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmc4502735/

8. Cesareo, K. ., Ziegenfuss, T. ., Raub, B. ., Sandrock, J. ., & Lopez, H. (2020). Effects of Purple Tea on Muscle Hyperemia and Oxygenation, Serum Markers of Nitric Oxide Production and Muscle Damage, and Exercise Performance . Journal of Exercise and Nutrition, 3(3).

9. Wu J, Saovieng S, Cheng IS, Liu T, Hong S, Lin CY, Su IC, Huang CY, Kuo CH. Ginsenoside Rg1 supplementation clears senescence-associated β-galactosidase in exercising human skeletal muscle. J Ginseng Res. 2019 Oct;43(4):580-588. doi: 10.1016/j.jgr.2018.06.002. Epub 2018 Jun 21. PMID: 31695564; PMCID: PMC6823780. https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.jgr.2018.06.002

10. Wu, J., Saovieng, S., Cheng, I.-S., Jensen, J., Jean, W.-H., Alkhatib, A., ... Kuo, C.-H. (2019). Satellite cells depletion in exercising human skeletal muscle is restored by ginseng component Rg1 supplementation. Journal of Functional Foods, 58, 27–33. doi: 10.1016/j.jff.2019.04.032 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2019.04.032

11. Yu, S.-H., Huang, H.-Y., Korivi, M., Hsu, M.-F., Huang, C.-Y., Hou, C.-W., ... Kuo, C.-H. (2012). Oral Rg1 supplementation strengthens antioxidant defense system against exercise-induced oxidative stress in rat skeletal muscles. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 9(1), 23. doi: 10.1186/1550-27839-23. https://doi.org/10.1186%2F1550-2783-9-23

12. Lee SY, Tsai WC, Lin JC, Ahmetaj-Shala B, Huang SF, Chang WL, Chang TC. Astragaloside II promotes intestinal epithelial repair by enhancing L-arginine uptake and activating the mTOR pathway. Sci Rep. 2017 Sep 26;7(1):12302. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-12435-y. PMID: 28951595; PMCID: PMC5614914. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-12435-y

13. 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. http://dx.doi.org/10.3136/fstr.FSTR-D-22-00116