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Clinical Data of AstaMed MYOTM

Muscle Strength Was Improved by the 1-Month Intake

The AstaMed formula was evaluated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted by Liu SZ et al. at the University of Washington Medical Center in 2015-2017. In the trial, enrolled 42 senior subjects (males and females, 65-82 ) were randomly assigned to the AstaMed or placebo groups. Before and after 1 month of AstaMed formula intake, their muscle size and functions were measured using the 31P MR Spectroscopy. The AstaMed formula significantly improved muscle strength in a subgrop of subjects with lower muscle function, while no improvement was observed in the placebo group.

Further, Improvements Were Beyond Exercise Training Alone

In the following 4 months, the subjects undertook exercise training (interval treadmill incline protocol,  3 times a week for 40-60 minutes, a target of 85% HR) in combination with intake of AstaMed formula or placebo. As the result, significant improvements of muscle size, strength, and endurance were found only in the AstaMed group.

10 1M muscle strength.jpg
11 3M muscle size.jpg
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Astaxanthin Protects the Membrane from Oxidative Damage

According to vivo and in-vitro studies, astaxanthin helps maintain the mitochondrial membrane potential and protects it from oxidative damage. By protecting mitochondria in muscle, astaxanthin facilitates increase in muscle and reduces muscular atrophy associated with Sarcopenia.

Integrity of Mitochondrial Function Is Promoted

Mitochondria damaged by oxidative stress exhibit reduced metabolic activity and energy (ATP) production. The oxidation is especially accelerated during exercise when levels of oxidative stress are higher than normal. One potential consequence of this increased level of oxidative stress is damage to carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (CPT-1), an enzyme that helps fat metabolism. In the case where oxidative stress has rendered CPT-1 non functional, the mitochondria are left without an alternative metabolic source once carbohydrate levels are depleted. Astaxanthin is known to promote fat metabolism in mitochondria by inhibiting modiļ¬cation of CPT-1. Additionally, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor coactivator 1α (PGC-1α), important for lipid utilization by mitochondria, is elevated by astaxanthin, thus increasing utilization of lipids as an energy substrate during aerobic exercise.

Chart of a mitochondria membrane vitro study
15 Fat metabolism i mitochondria via CPT
16 PGC-1a in skeletal muscle during exer
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References

  1. Liu SZ, et al. Astaxanthin formulation builds muscle strength and endurance beyond interval training in elderly. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2017 May; 49(5) S706. 19.

  2. Liu SZ, et al. Building strength, endurance, and mobility using an astaxanthin formulation with functional training in elderly. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle. 2018 Sep 26. 

  3. Wolf AM, et al. Astaxanthin protects mitochondrial redox state and functional integrity against oxidative stress. J Nutr Biochem. 2010 May; 21(5): 381-9.14.

  4. Aoi W, et al. Astaxanthin improves muscle lipid metabolism in exercise via inhibitory effect of oxidative CPT I modification. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2008 Feb; 366(4): 892-7. 15.

  5. Liu PH, et al. The astaxanthin-induced improvement in lipid metabolism during exercise is mediated by a PGC-1α increase in skeletal muscle. J Clin Biochem Nutr. 2014 Mar; 54(2): 86-9.

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