Plant Power: New Study Shows Ingredient Unlocks More Muscle from Protein

BREA, Calif. – March 24, 2026 – A newly published human clinical study is sending ripples through the nutraceutical and fitness industries, providing rare scientific proof that a plant-based ingredient can significantly enhance the body's ability to absorb protein and translate that into measurable gains in muscle strength and mass.

The study, published in the top-ranked peer-reviewed journal Nutrients, demonstrates that AstraGin®, a patented compound from NuLiv Science, measurably improves the absorption of key amino acids from whey protein. More significantly, it links this enhanced absorption directly to functional outcomes, a connection that has long been a holy grail for supplement science.

A Scientific Breakthrough in Bioavailability

The research, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial—the gold standard in clinical research—investigated the effects of AstraGin® on 30 healthy adults stratified across three age groups. The ingredient itself is a proprietary blend of highly purified saponins from Astragalus membranaceus and Panax notoginseng, plants with deep roots in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Researchers conducted the trial in two phases. The first phase measured the immediate impact of a single dose of AstraGin® on amino acid absorption from whey protein. The results were immediate and clear: supplementation improved the uptake of crucial branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) like valine, leucine, and isoleucine, which are the primary building blocks for muscle protein synthesis.

The second phase, a four-week trial combining daily supplementation with a resistance training regimen, confirmed these findings and went further. Participants taking AstraGin® not only continued to show enhanced amino acid absorption but also demonstrated improved uptake of arginine, an amino acid vital for blood flow and nutrient delivery. The study also noted favorable changes in biomarkers related to gut permeability, suggesting a healthier gut environment contributes to the ingredient's efficacy.

From the Lab to the Weight Room: Real-World Performance Gains

For athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and supplement formulators, the most compelling aspect of the study is its ability to connect enhanced nutrient absorption to tangible physical improvements. It's one thing to absorb more protein; it's another to prove that it leads to getting stronger.

"It is rare to demonstrate a clear link between absorption and physical performance in human trials," said NuLiv Science CEO Richard Wang in a press release. "This study doesn't just show that AstraGin® helps the body absorb protein; it demonstrates protein absorption leading to improved muscle function, which is the ultimate goal."

The data supports this claim. After four weeks of resistance training, the group supplementing with AstraGin® saw a 5.20% increase in grip strength, more than double the 2.44% gain observed in the placebo group. They also experienced a greater increase in muscle mass. This finding positions the ingredient as a key player in the booming sports nutrition market, a sector valued at nearly $50 billion and projected to exceed $94 billion by 2033. In a market crowded with products making performance claims, this level of clinical evidence provides a powerful differentiator.

A Vital Tool in the Fight Against Age-Related Muscle Loss

While the performance benefits are significant for athletes, the study revealed perhaps its most profound impact in another demographic: older adults. The effects of AstraGin® were most pronounced in the 60–80 year old cohort. This group experienced a 12.74% greater absorption of total essential amino acids compared to the placebo.

This finding is critically important in the context of healthy aging and the fight against sarcopenia—the natural, age-related loss of muscle mass and function. Sarcopenia affects roughly one in four older adults and is a leading contributor to frailty, loss of independence, and increased risk of falls. As the global population ages, the market for solutions to combat this condition is rapidly expanding, with projections estimating it will grow from approximately $3 billion to over $4.8 billion by 2032.

Because older adults often have compromised digestive systems and reduced nutrient absorption, simply consuming more protein isn't always an effective solution. An ingredient like AstraGin®, which makes the protein they consume more bioavailable, could be a pivotal tool. By helping the body make better use of dietary protein, it offers a new strategy for maintaining muscle mass, strength, and overall vitality well into later life.

Disrupting the Market with Evidence-Based Efficacy

NuLiv Science's research-first approach, which combines traditional botanicals with rigorous modern science, appears to be paying dividends. The publication in a journal with an impact factor hovering around 5.0 lends significant scientific credibility that sets it apart in the often-murky supplement ingredient space. This, combined with the company's status as a Certified B Corp—a designation that verifies its high standards of social and environmental performance—positions it as a leader in a new era of transparent, evidence-based nutraceuticals.

The global protein supplement market, valued at over $25 billion, is driven by consumers who are increasingly sophisticated and demand products that work. The industry has long been dominated by digestive enzyme blends and other bioavailability enhancers, but the direct link to functional outcomes demonstrated in this pilot study gives AstraGin® a unique and compelling marketing narrative.

By proving that better absorption leads to better results, NuLiv Science has not only validated its own ingredient but has also raised the bar for the entire industry. The findings suggest a future where the focus shifts from simply the quantity of protein in a scoop to the quality of its absorption and its ultimate impact on human health and performance.