07/19/2018 / By Michelle Simmons
Supplementing with Korean mistletoe (Viscum album coloratum) has been found beneficial for building muscle, according to a study published in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. In the study, it was revealed that the plant is particularly helpful for muscle atrophy and muscle hypertrophy.
Researchers in Korea looked at the expression pattern of different genes related to muscle physiology in C2C12 cells in order to confirm the benefits of Korean mistletoe on muscle atrophy and muscle hypertrophy. In addition, they tested these effects in denervated mice model by feeding the mice with Korean mistletoe extract for four weeks.
The supplementation of Korean mistletoe extract resulted in the promotion of mRNA expressions SREBP-1c, PGC-1α, and GLUT4a in C2C12 cells. These expressions are known as positive regulators in enhancing muscle growth.
In addition, the treatment decreased the genes Murf1 and Atrogin-1, suggesting the treatment’s effect on improving muscle atrophy. Atrogin-1 promotes the degradation of MyoD, which is a key transcription factor of muscle, and elF3f, which is an enhancer protein of protein synthesis. On the other hand, Murf 1 regulates muscle structural proteins such as troponin 1 and myosin. The Korean mistletoe extract also inhibited atrogene expression in C2C12 cells.
In denervated mice, the treatment of Korean mistletoe extract led to the reduction of Murf1 and Atrogin-1 mRNA expressions. The treatment also increased the muscle mass and improved the grip strength of mice.
The findings of the study indicated that the treatment of Korean mistletoe extract is beneficial for muscle atrophy and muscle hypertrophy. Thus, the researchers concluded that Korean mistletoe can be used as a functional food to prevent muscle loss, increase muscle mass, and improve grip strength.
Mother Nature's micronutrient secret: Organic Broccoli Sprout Capsules now available, delivering 280mg of high-density nutrition, including the extraordinary "sulforaphane" and "glucosinolate" nutrients found only in cruciferous healing foods. Every lot laboratory tested.�See availability here.
In addition to Korean mistletoe, there are other foods you can eat to optimize your lean muscle gains. Here are some of them:
Read more news stories and studies on Korean mistletoe and other medicinal plants by going to AlternativeMedicine.news.
Sources include:
Tagged Under: exercise recovery, fitness, functional food, grip strength, Korean mistletoe, Korean mistletoe extract, muscle, muscle atrophy, muscle building, muscle hypertrophy, muscle mass, supplements