MORE REASONS TO TAKE ASTRAGALUS
RESPONSE 1– I’m happy to report I may have some data on your
question. I tested if a product that lists “Astragalus membranaceus” as it’s first active ingredient
affected my biological age. The mix was reported to let bugs live longer[1]. Unfortunately, it didn’t seem to affect my biological age[2]. Maybe because I already do so many other things to slow aging, I have its metabolic pathway(s) covered.
I also found 2 dozen life span experiments in my ginormous spread sheet for Astragalus[3].
Most were in yeast and worms. The results were contradictory and unimpressive.
So, Kingsley
RESPONSE 2: I’ve been taking this for a number of years and this is the info that made me decide to take it. Unfortunately, I didn’t put the source down as I use it for personal use. Astragalus Root Extract4: 1 ,700mg -Planetary Herbals Brand -(telomerase activator – a mainstay of Chinese medicine). Astragalus is traditionally used in support of colds, respiratory infections, cancer treatment, chronic hepatitis and heart disease. It is known to enhance the body’s immune system, heart and liver functions. It contains an antiviral compound called cycloastragenol which is responsible for boosting the supply of telomerase in the body. This boost of telomerase is noted for it’s ability to reduce the aging process in the cells of the body by replacing telomeres which are lost in cell replication. The loss of telomeres in cells is a major contributor to the condition of aging.
There has been debate concerning the boosting in telomerase and it’s ability to replenish the telomers on the end of chromosomes. The major concern is the effect it has on cancer cells and the suspicion that it could encourage their proliferation. This is highly unlikely since the nature of cancer is to short circuit the telomerase supply by making its own and thus allowing cancer to grow uncontrolled. Otherwise, research has shown that an increase of telomerase has the effect of protecting against cancer because of its ability to protect and stabilize chromosomes.
In practice some have chosen to cycle Astragalus and or it’s derivatives with telomerase inhibitors to suppress any chance of encouraging cancer cell proliferation. This practice is truly arbitrary since no studies have been conducted that can verify its successful.
There are a number of companies that have isolated cycloastragenol and sell it for the expressed purpose of increasing the supply of telomerase. Cycloastragenol is converted to another compound called Astragaloside IV which is responsible for the telomerase production effort. The need to isolate this compound was merely a business model by which the Geron Corporation could patent and encapulate a sellable product. Astragaloside IV is crazy expensive. I found the following in the Longecity forums and thought it was interesting enough to post here.
9 grams of Astragalus = 14.4mg of Astragaloside IV
15 grams of Astragalus = 24mg of Astragaloside IV
30 grams of Astragalus = 48mg of Astragaloside IV
60 grams of Astragalus = 96mg of Astragaloside IV
120 grams of Astragalus = 192mg of Astragaloside IV
Astragaloside IV comes in 50mg capsules and the daily recommended dosage is 1 to 2 per day. I am currently on 45 grams of astragalus a day which would be a little over 1 dosage of Astragloside IV. I may bump this up to 60 grams a day in the future. It is prudent to be cautious and to take things slowly.
RESPONSE 3: I have been taking astragulus on a daily basis for at least 10 years. I think it is worth noting that there has been much discussion in the past among GRG members regarding a compound known as TA-65 promoted by a company, TA Sciences T.A. Sciences | TA-65 Supplement | Telomerase Activation The company claims that The TA-65 compound, containing bioenhanced astragalus extract, can lengthen telomeres. I have no association with the company and I have never tried any of their products. Chris
