STRENGTH

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 fiber synthesis, exercise performance, and support overall health.^1,2 One of the ways epicatechin works is by balancing myostatin and follistatin, proteins that impact the body’s ability to generate healthy muscle tissue and retain it.³ By inhbiting myostatin, epicatechin can assist muscle protein synthesis. Additionally, epicatechin supports the production of nitric oxide, which is vital to maximize blood flow and nutrient delivery to the muscles. Another beneficial mechanism of epicatechin is its ability to facilitate the body’s natural process of mitochondrial biogenesis. This, in turn, promotes endurance, energy production, and overall muscle function.

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. First is protein synthesis, and muscle fiber maintenance. HMB also aids in the body’s ability to retain and preserve lean muscle mass, especially during intense exercise, caloric restriction, or muscle-damaging conditions.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 supports 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. The bioactive compounds in purple tea can mitigate exercise-induced muscle soreness. Additionally, purple tea promote nitric oxide production, blood flow and nutrient delivery to the muscles, which may support muscle growth and performance.⁷

PurpleForce^® Purple Tea’s antioxidant may reduce muscle soreness after over-exersion during exercise. And as with all antioxidants the actives in purple tea also contribute 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^® is another ingredient that further supports lean muscle mass. It contains a proprietary blend of bioactive compounds designed to support mitochondrial function, while serving as an antioxidant and a source of support cellular energy production. It includes bioactive compounds such as Panax notoginseng and Rosa roxburghii.

Additionally, Senactiv® may support nitric oxide production, which improves blood flow, nutrient delivery, and oxygenation to muscles, further supporting muscle growth andrecovery.^9,10,11

AstraGin^®

AstraGin^® is a proprietary blend of natural ingredients developed to assist in nutrient absorption and overall nutrient 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 specifically aims its support the expression and activity of specific nutrient transporters in the intestines, which positions the body to maximize its natural ability to absorb amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. AstraGin® also supports the integrity of tight junctions, which maintain a barrier between intestinal cells, mitigating the leakage of nutrients and toxins.^12,13

1. Mafi, F., Biglari, S., Ghardashi Afousi, A., & Gaeini, A. A. (n.d. ). 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). 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. 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

4. Rathmacher JA, Pitchford LM, Khoo P , Angus H, Lang J, Lowry K, Ruby C, Krajek AC, Fuller JC, Sharp RL. L J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2020 Oct 15;75(11):2089-2097. doi: 10.1093/gerona/glaa218. PMID: 32857128; PMCID: PMC7566440. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glaa218

5. Tinsley GM, Moore ML, Graybeal AJ, Paoli A, Kim Y , Gonzales JU, Harry JR, V anDusseldorp TA, Kennedy DN, Cruz MR. Am J Clin Nutr. 2019 Sep 1;110(3):628-640. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqz126. PMID: 31268131; PMCID: PMC6735806. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/nqz126

6. Bear DE, Langan A, Dimidi E, Wandrag L, Harridge SDR, Hart N, Connolly B, Whelan K. 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 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). 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. 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). 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. Y u, S.-H., Huang, H.-Y ., Korivi, M., Hsu, M.-F., Huang, C.-Y ., Hou, C.-W., ... Kuo, C.-H. (2012). 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. 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.Food sciences and research technology. July 2022. http://dx.doi.org/10.3136/fstr.FSTR-D-22-00116