Astragalus
Immune · Adaptogen / TA-65 source
Tier C
What this is
Traditional Chinese 'huang qi' — widely used in TCM. Cycloastragenol/TA-65 is sold as an expensive anti-aging supplement based on in vitro telomerase activation and a small Fossel-era human observational study. Salvador 2015 mouse data supports telomerase effect but human longevity benefit speculative.
Mechanism
Astragalus membranaceus root; polysaccharides and astragalosides; immunomodulatory in TCM tradition; cycloastragenol (from astragaloside IV) is the telomerase activator marketed as TA-65
Dose & route
500-2000 mg/day root extract; TA-65 proprietary dosing
Citations
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27583538/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21320476/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5031921/
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This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.