The Myriad of Health Benefits of Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus)

Prostate Health

Maintaining prostate health is crucial for men, but is enough being done? If we look at the numbers,  about 85% of men are likely to develop some type of prostate-related health issue before they reach 60. And yet, addressing prostate health can be a taboo topic. If ignored, this can take its toll  on men's sex lives, given that enlarged prostates  can lead to pain and infections. And let's not leave out the big elephant in the room: Prostate cancer is very common. The prostate is a walnut-sized gland under the bladder and in front of the rectum. The gland surrounds the tube that carries urine from the bladder. Soy has been found to be highly beneficial for prostate health thanks to the antioxidant power of the isoflavones in soy. On top of that, when taken alongside astragalus, it boosts the immune system.

Heart Health

Let's not forget our hearts! Research has found that the saponins in astragalus plants can help prevent fatty plaques from forming in the arteries. Less plaques means lower cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure and a happy heart. More superpowers of astragalus include stress relief, less breathlessness, less distress, the reduction of blood clot formations, and the reduction of salt and water retention. And for my readers who have suffered strokes, astragalus can help preserve the function of nerves and strengthen artery walls. If you have experienced chronic heart failure, astragalus can reduce the potential for frequent episodes.

Adrenal Health

Bad stress and adrenal health do not mix. Astragalus can save the day by stimulating  the adrenal glands and dealing with adrenal stress. This can be especially helpful to cancer patients as the adrenal glands are suppressed during their treatments.

Cancer

In the 1970’s, research into this herb confirmed that it aided the body’s ability to fight against inflammation, viruses, and bacteria, as well as protect liver functions. In a study, cancer patients receiving chemotherapy were given astragalus along with their treatment; it was found that bone marrow growth was promoted, meaning more white blood cells were produced to combat invading organisms. This naturally increased survival rates.

The Aging Process

Beyond wrinkles, the aging process is cell-deep. Astragalus contains an enzyme (hTERT) that prevents the wear and tear of DNA strands. Protecting DNA slows the aging process, as proven in research that connects the length of DNA telomeres and age-related diseases including cardiovascular diseases. Another great thing about this herb is that it increases the rate of immune system replication known as macrophages.

Healing Wounds

The compounds found in Astragalus activate specific immune cells and make so that blood and chemicals do not flow into healing wounds and that they don't hemorrhage. It also reduces nitric oxide which in turn reduces inflammation. Ulcers can be treated with this herb, too.

Health Properties

Try not go get dizzy reading the components of Astragalus membranaceus: saponins, polysaccharides, amino acids, organic compounds, and mineral and trace elements such as zinc, magnesium, manganese, calcium, potassium, iron, copper, sodium, cobalt, chromium, molybdenum and more. The organic compounds within the astragalus root include choline, betaine, sitosterols, essential oils, aromatic compounds, linoleic acid, bitter compounds, aminobutyric acid and asparagine.

Side Effects

Although generally deemed safe, it’s important to always consider the potential of side effects. Astragalus should not be taken by anyone allergic to the Leguminosae family (pea). In addition, it could interfere with the effectiveness of beta-blockers, anticoagulants, phenobarbitals and diuretics. It may counteract the effectiveness of immune suppressing cyclophosphamide that is prescribed for those having organ transplants, and it could increase the effectiveness of some antiviral medications. It should not be used when you have a fever, and it could increase growth hormone levels.

BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia): Can Soybean and Astragalus Extract Naturally Treat It?

This essential plant from East Asia might not need an introduction because many are familiar with its edible bean; I'm talking about soybeans (Glycine max) of course!
It is packed with nutrients like B vitamins and produces large amounts of oil and protein compared to other plant crops. A good, nutrient-packed alternative to meat for our vegetarian and vegan readers,  it can grow all year round in moist and dry weather.

If you're trying to be healthy on a budget, soybeans are quite inexpensive and come with protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and many amino acids.

Soy Isoflavones

Soybeans

The isoflavones in soybeans have been identified as having significant effects against prostate cancer in Asian countries. Thus, the consumption of soy in Asia can serve as a guide for soy intake around the rest of the world. However, health professions are unsure whether soy in one's diet is more effective as a mere condiment, in fermented form, or in its other widely used forms (milk, tofu, edamame, etc.) Either way, it cannot be argued that people in Asian countries have many different ways to consume soy.

Older Japanese men on average receive about 40mg of isoflavone a day thanks to the consumption of soy products. Keep in mind that the more processed the product, the lower the concentration of isoflavones.

Interestingly, isoflavones are similar in structure to estrogen, so they bind to estrogen receptors in the body, hence their name phytoestrogens. However, they induce different effects in the body from actual estrogen.

Soy foods kill two birds with one stone: helping men met their protein needs without an excess of saturated fat attached to the protein. For those who are looking to exercise and gain muscle mass, levels of stress on the kidneys and exercise-induced oxidation and inflammation in the body are known to be reduced thanks to soy.

Phytosterols

As you get older, you start hearing more about your watching your cholesterol. Well, good news! Soybean oils contain sterols, which, although the reasons are not clearly known, have been linked to lowering cholesterol.

Phospholipids

Another incredible component of soybean oils is phospholipids, which are used as a natural food emulsifier and contribute to the structure of the cell membrane.

Saponins

Here is a component scientist are keeping their eyes on. Soybeans contain saponins, which are potentially anti-cancer, anti-oxidative, hepatoprotective, anti-hyperlipidemic, etc.

Ferritins

And last but not least, if you're anemic, soybeans have got you covered! Soybeans contain ferritin, a protein that stores more iron in your body.

Summary of the Health Benefits of Soybean

Let's take a lot of some of the benefits of soybeans that we already read about and more!

1. Soybeans, in conjunction with Astragalus, improve prostate health and may relieve the symptoms of an enlarged prostate, including:
   1. A weak or slow urinary stream
   2. A feeling of incomplete bladder emptying
   3. Difficulty starting urination
   4. Frequent urination
   5. Urgency to urinate
   6. Getting up frequently at night to urinate
2. Soybeans may relieve the symptoms of menopause
3. Soybeans may increase metabolic activity
4. Soybeans may support a healthy weight gain
5. Soybeans maybe help prevent osteoporosis
6. Soybeans improve digestive and bone health
7. Soybeans help lower cholesterol levels
8. Soybeans may help prevent heart attacks and strokes
9. Soybeans may help reduce the risk of insomnia and sleeping disorders

The Synergistic Effects of Astragalus and Soybean: Research on UMOOZE® (Astragalus and Soybean Extract) as an Add-On Therapy in Males with BPH

The Synergistic Effects of Astragalus and Soybean: Research on UMOOZE® (Astragalus and Soybean Extract) as an Add-On Therapy in Males with BPH

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition in men that is more likely to
occur the older one gets. After most men hit 40, the prostate gland is more likely to grow in size, leading to BPH and urinary tract symptoms that affect one's quality of life. When a man reaches his 80s, even more men become afflicted. However, the condition does not require treatment unless the symptoms require treatment. Enlargement of the prostate can lead to having difficulty urinating, urinary incontinence, hesitation, frequency, weak flow, decreased void volume, dysuria, nocturia, straining, prolonged flow, and complete or partial urinary retention.

Diagnosing

It is important to diagnose BPH properly and rule out other conditions such as bladder cancer, prostate cancer, prostatitis, overactive bladder, bladder stones, urinary tract infections, and interstitial cystitis.  While BPH is often not life threatening, it can affect a man’s quality of life. It is important to diagnose BPH correctly and follow an effective treatment plan. The goal of such treatment should be to slow the progression of BPH while improving a man’s quality of life. Active observation is recommended for all men who experience any symptoms related to BPH. Treatment options should be discussed with a physician to meet an individual's specific needs.

Quality of Life

Lifestyle modifications can go a long way when initially dealing with symptoms.  Common recommendations include timed bladder voiding, double-voiding techniques, fluid restriction at night, regular exercise, treatments for constipation, and avoiding spicy foods, alcohol, and caffeine, all of which can help improve symptoms and prevent the progression of BPH.

UMOOZE®

UMOOZE® is an add-on therapy taken twice a day proven help improve the symptoms of BPH according to the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and Quality of Life (QoL) index.

UMOOZE

UMOOZE® contains two key ingredients, Astragalus radix extracts and soy isoflavones. Astragalus radix (AR) is a dried root commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine containing a wide range of health benefits. And, according to the National Cancer Institute of America, people who consume soybean products can reduce their risk of developing prostate cancer.

 Add-On Therapy

UMOOZE® is designed to help men with the symptoms of BPH.  In one particular study that I will briefly delve into, it was given as an add-on therapy to men with a history of BPH. They took two tablets- one in the morning with water and one in the evening-  for  56 consecutive days. Cornstarch was used as a placebo. Subjects who were diagnosed with BPH received the placebo in the morning and evening for 56 consecutive days, taken with water.

Astragalus radix and Soybean extracts are combined into one 500 mg UMOOZE® tablet and it is considered a food supplement. The objective of this study was to evaluate the benefits of UMOOZE® as an add-on therapy for BPH by evaluating the improvements in symptoms of BPH based on the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and Quality of Life (QoL) index.  The IPSS is a validated 7-item urinary symptoms severity scale.

Each subject received UMOOZE® or a placebo and was evaluated at the baseline and subsequently on Day 28, Day 42, and Day 56 using the IPSS Index, QoL index, Qmax, PVR, prostate volume and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test.

Those who participated in this study met the following criteria:

• Male – 40 years of age or older
• Screened by inquiry and diagnosed with BPH based on the result of a digital rectal
  examination (DRE) or transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)
• Prostate volume ≥ 20 cm3
• Has complained of voiding symptoms related to BPH
• Has an IPSS ≥ 13 or an UFR measure of Qmax <= 15 ml/sec together with a voided volume ≥ 150 ml
• Serum PSA < 6.5 ng/ml
• Has been treated with medication for BPH
• Informed consent form signed

Men that were excluded from the study had the following criteria:

• Sensitivity to study product
• Had received prostatic surgery for BPH during the past 24 weeks
• Hard nodule found by DRE
• Ongoing neurogenic bladder, urinary tract infection, bladder stone, urethral
  stricture, bladder cancer, prostate cancer, severe liver dysfunction, severe renal
  dysfunction or severe cardiovascular disease.
• Patient has clinically significant physical disability or abnormal findings on
  physical examination or laboratory testing judged by the investigator or co-
• Participation in any clinical investigation during the last 30 days
• Individuals are judged by the investigators or co-investigator to be undesirable as
  subjects

Below is a detailed chart displaying the timeline of the study on UMOOZE®'s effects on BPH and the tests conducted.

Results

A detailed list of results were recorded during the study, but the main takeaways are that most if not all patients had an improvement compared to the baseline, quality of life, and reduced prostate volume. And this goes without saying, but UMOOZE® outdid the placebo in every test (see below).

Conclusion

In conclusion, UMOOZE® improved the overall IPSS for nocturia and LUTS (Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms) while improving the patient’s quality of life (QoL).  The Post-Void Residual (PVR) urine volume was decreased and the prostate volume in patients with BPH was reduced.  UMOOZE® has proven to be well tolerated and helpful as an add-on therapy and offers many health benefits in managing BPH successfully.

If you or someone you know might be dealing with BPH or symptoms associated with BPH, I hope that this study gave you some insight.