Astragalus Root for Athletes: Boost Immunity After Exercise?

study PMID: 34271953

Quick Summary: Research suggests that taking astragalus root may help athletes maintain a healthy immune system and reduce inflammation after intense workouts. This study found that astragalus helped protect immune cells and keep them functioning well during strenuous exercise.

Astragalus Root and Exercise: What the Research Found

This study looked at how astragalus root affects the immune systems of competitive rowers. The researchers found that taking astragalus helped:

Protect Immune Cells: Astragalus helped maintain levels of important immune cells after exercise.

Reduce Inflammation: Astragalus helped lower the increase in inflammatory markers that often happen after hard workouts.

Maintain Immune Function: Astragalus helped keep the immune system working well, as measured by certain immune markers.

Study Details

Who was studied: 40 competitive rowers (elite athletes)

How long: 14 weeks

What they took: Participants took either 1,000 mg of standardized astragalus extract (50% polysaccharides) per day or a placebo (a dummy pill).

What This Means For You

If you're an athlete or someone who exercises intensely:

Astragalus might help your immune system: It could help your body bounce back faster after tough workouts.

Consider talking to your doctor: Before taking astragalus, especially if you have any health conditions or take other medications.

Look for standardized extracts: If you decide to try astragalus, choose a product that lists the amount of polysaccharides (the active compounds) on the label.

Study Limitations

It was a small study: Only elite rowers were studied, so the results might not apply to everyone.

Short-term study: The study only looked at the effects over 14 weeks.

Focus on markers, not illness: The study measured immune markers, not whether people got sick.

More research is needed: We need more studies to confirm these findings and understand how astragalus works.

Key Findings

The study found that supplementation with a standardized Astragalus membranaceus root extract (AMR) significantly attenuated immunosuppression caused by strenuous physical exercise in competitive rowers. Specifically, AMR preserved salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA) and IgG levels, reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine elevation (IL-6, TNF-α), and maintained immune cell counts post-exercise compared to placebo. These results suggest Astragalus may support immune resilience during intense training.

Study Design

This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving 40 competitive rowers (20 per group). Participants underwent 14 weeks of supplementation with either AMR or placebo. Immune parameters were assessed before and after a maximal exercise test (rowing ergometer) at baseline and post-intervention. The study focused on acute immune stress responses rather than long-term health outcomes.

Dosage & Administration

The Astragalus group received 500 mg of a standardized extract (50% polysaccharides) twice daily, totaling 1,000 mg/day. Placebo capsules contained microcrystalline cellulose. Supplements were administered in identical packaging to ensure blinding. Compliance was self-reported, with no adverse effects noted.

Results & Efficacy

Salivary IgA: AMR reduced post-exercise decline by 32% vs. placebo (p = 0.012; 95% CI not reported).
IgG Levels: Maintained in AMR group (pre/post: 18.2 ± 2.1 vs. 17.8 ± 2.3 mg/dL) vs. placebo (20.1 ± 2.4 vs. 14.5 ± 2.7 mg/dL; p < 0.001).
Cytokines: IL-6 increased 24% less in AMR (p = 0.031), and TNF-α rose 18% less (p = 0.045).
Immune Cells: AMR preserved CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts (p = 0.019) and reduced cortisol spikes (p = 0.027).
All significant outcomes had p < 0.05, indicating moderate efficacy in mitigating exercise-induced immune stress.

Limitations

Narrow Demographics: Participants were elite rowers (age 18–35, unspecified gender ratio), limiting generalizability to non-athletes or other populations.
Short Duration: The 14-week intervention period does not address long-term effects or safety.
Surrogate Markers: Outcomes focused on immune biomarkers (e.g., IgA, cytokines) rather than clinical endpoints like infection incidence.
Blinding Risks: While double-blind, exercise-induced physiological changes (e.g., cortisol) could theoretically unblind participants.
Mechanistic Gaps: The study did not explore the exact mechanisms behind Astragalus’ immune-modulating effects.

Clinical Relevance

For athletes engaged in high-intensity training, Astragalus root supplementation may help maintain immune function and reduce inflammation spikes post-exercise. The 1,000 mg/day dose used in this trial could serve as a reference for similar populations. However, broader applications (e.g., sedentary individuals, older adults) require further validation. Users should prioritize products standardized to polysaccharide content, as this formulation showed efficacy. Clinicians should note that while the results are promising, larger trials with diverse cohorts and infection rate monitoring are needed to confirm practical benefits.

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