Losing weight is one of the most desirable life goals for most people, but it’s also one of the most difficult goals to achieve sustainably.

With all the misinformation and myths that circulate around the internet, it’s no wonder people struggle with weight loss. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to differentiate between fact and fiction, and what works and what doesn’t work.

This then drives people to look for help in the form of supplements, or “magic pills”.

The weight loss supplement world is a minefield to say the least. Expensive products marketed as the key the weight loss can tempt you easily, but only leave you with no results and a hole in your pocket.

Many weight loss supplements are ineffective, and only very few actually work when combined with making diet and lifestyle changes.

This article focuses on Astragalus Root (Astragalus membranaceus), one of the many herbs that’s been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine.

Astragalus has been used, and is still used today, for a variety of supposed health benefits linked to kidney health, increasing lifespan, and anti-inflammatory properties.

But does astragalus help with weight loss?

All will be revealed in this article!

What is Astragalus Root?

Astragalus, also known as Huáng gí or milkvetch, is a plant native to the northern and eastern parts of China and is one of the 50 herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine.

These days, you see astragalus root (often as astragalus membranaceus) being taken as a supplement in the form of capsule, powder, tea, or tincture form.

The root of the astragalus herb contains many active plant compounds which are thought to possess a range of potential health benefits.

Let’s explore some of these proposed health benefits!

What Are the Benefits of Astragalus Root?

  • May Boost Immune System

Astragalus root contains compounds that may be beneficial for your immune system function.

One study found that astragalus appears to activate T-cells to a degree higher than the reference drug echinacea, which is a herbal supplement often taken for immune system support.1

The research on astragalus preventing and fighting bacterial and viral infections is still in its early days, though it is looking promising so far.

  • May Improve Heart Function

Astragalus is thought to improve heart function in individuals who suffer with certain heart conditions.1

The traditional herb is thought to widen blood vessels, thus increasing the amount of blood pumped from your heart.

However, the findings in this area are mixed and more research is yet to be conducted to confirm these claims.

  • May Improve Kidney Function

Some studies have suggested that astragalus may improve kidney function in those with specific kidney-related conditions.1

Though, more studies are needed to confirm the exact effects of astragalus has on kidney function.

Astragalus Root for Weight Loss: Does It Work?

So, the main question is: Does astragalus help weight loss?

Let’s look at what the research suggests!

Astragalus contains active compounds that have been shown to potentially help lower blood sugar levels, but only in those with type 2 diabetes.2

This traditional Chinese herb is actually frequently used in China to help with diabetes management!3

Though, does this effect on blood sugar actually help with weight loss? The simple answer: not really!

Balancing blood sugar levels in general helps to control appetite, stabilize energy and combat insulin resistance, which in-turn may have an effect on weight loss.

However, it appears that astragalus only has this effect on blood sugar levels in those who have type 2 diabetes.

Additionally, the research on astragalus and weight loss comes from animal and test-tube studies, so it is still too soon to tell what the effects are on humans.

In summary, at the time of writing, it appears astragalus does not help weight loss, but can potentially lower blood sugar levels, so may be beneficial only for those with type 2 diabetes.

Burn Lab Pro: An Effective Alternative

As astragalus doesn’t appear to be an effective supplement for weight loss at this time, you may be wondering if there are any effective alternatives.

Following on a similar path to the blood sugar claims, a popular alternative would be chromium.

Chromium is an essential mineral which can be found in food such as meal, grains, nuts, and brewer’s yeast. Its main role in the body is helping to regulate insulin, so it’s often supplemented to improve insulin action around the body.

Research has found chromium to be effective in optimizing fat loss by:

  • Controlling appetite
  • Fuelling muscles
  • Stabilizing energy
  • Combating insulin resistance

This is why it’s the main ingredient in Burn Lab Pro, a safe, clean, and effective fat burner combining 5 key ingredients:

  1. Coleus Forskhohlii
  2. Cayenne Pepper Extract
  3. HMB
  4. GTF Chromium
  5. Black Pepper Extract

These ingredients are all effective in supporting over 15 key bio-functions that boost fat loss, improving training performance, and increasing muscle mass.

Burn Lab Pro would act as an effective alternative to astragalus because of the genuine effects on blood sugar levels and would make for a great addition to your nutrition and training plan.

Take-Home Message

Most people who are on a weight loss journey are looking for effective supplements to help maximize fat loss, while retaining lean muscle and ensuring performance isn’t compromised.

There has been some speculation around the traditional Chinese herb astragalus being effective for weight loss, though the research currently fails to back up these claims at the time of writing.

A more effective alternative we can recommend is Burn Lab Pro, which will help stabilize blood sugar levels, support fat loss, retain and build lean muscle, and boost your energy to improve workout intensity.

References

  1. Patel. K. Astragalus Membranaceus. Examine.com. 2020
  2. Tian H, Lu J, He H, Zhang L, Dong Y, Yao H, Feng W, Wang S. The effect of Astragalus as an adjuvant treatment in type 2 diabetes mellitus: A (preliminary) meta-analysis. J Ethnopharmacol. 2016 Sep 15;191:206-215.
  3. Xie W, Zhao Y, Zhang Y. Traditional chinese medicines in treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2011;2011:726723.