Reclaim Your Vitality
November 2025 Issue

Reclaim Your Vitality

In a clinical trial of aging men and women, two plant extracts boosted vitality and muscle strength.

Scientifically reviewed by: Gary Gonzalez, MD, in October 2025. Written by: Martha McCulloch, MS, RD.

A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis found that around 43% of older adults experience low energy levels and 58% report a high degree of perceived physical and mental fatigability.1

In other words, diminished vitality.

Vitality is what keeps a person feeling energetic and ready to embrace life each day.2

Several lifestyle factors promote vitality, including good sleep, healthy nutrition, and regular physical activity, which helps maintain muscle strength.2-4

Scientists searched the plant world for a way to enhance traditional methods of supporting energy and physical function.

After a rigorous investigation, they combined two plant extracts to promote muscle strength and vitality.5

In a clinical trial of aging men and women, those taking this extract blend, compared to placebo, had 4.5 times greater improvement in hand grip strength, boosted walking distance by 86%, and improved feelings of vitality twice as much as exercise alone.5

Understanding Vitality

Vitality, feeling energetic and full of life, is crucial for healthy aging and longevity.3 It makes it easier to maintain independence and enjoy daily activities as we age.2,3

Vitality is reflected in our energy levels, muscle strength, and immune responses, among other factors.3

Resistance training, a crucial component to improved vitality,6 is one of the best ways to support muscle mass and strength as we age. Exercising the legs is particularly key since they are essential for maintaining mobility, balance, and walking patterns.7,8

Another vitality factor, particularly for men, is promoting youthful levels of testosterone, a hormone that helps maintain muscle mass and function.9,10

Scientists suspected the plant world could help with these and other aspects of vitality.

Rediscovering Ancient Rejuvenating Herbs

Ayurveda botanical medicine is known for its rejuvenating effects11 and is associated with youthfulness, a strong body, and long life.12

Ayurvedic therapies commonly target factors that drive the aging process, including inflammation, declining immune function, and mitochondrial dysfunction.12

To support youthful aging, scientists screened many Ayurvedic botanicals to formulate a vitality blend.

First, they selected East Indian globe thistle (Sphaeranthus indicus), traditionally used for its rejuvenating properties.13,14

Globe thistle flower is rich in compounds shown in preclinical research to have anti-inflammatory and immune-supportive properties.15,16

Next, after an extensive search, they formulated an extract from the bark of the mango tree (Mangifera indica).

Mango tree bark is rich in mangiferin, a compound shown in preclinical research to support cellular energy production and the creation of mitochondria.17,18 Mitochondria generate energy needed for bodily processes including muscle contraction.19,20

Mangiferin is also a potent anti-inflammatory and immune-supportive compound.21

Improving Vitality

Scientists tested an East Indian globe thistle flower + mango tree bark extract blend in 92 healthy, physically active adults aged 55 to 70 years.5

Subjects took either 650 mg of the extract blend or a placebo every morning after breakfast.

All participants completed a home strength training program using resistance bands three days a week throughout the study.

This trial assessed aspects of vitality including perceptions of vitality and energy as well as physical components of vitality such as muscle strength and endurance.

A standard quality-of-life questionnaire was used to assess perceptions of vitality. Overall, the dual-extract supplemented group had twice the improvement in perceived vitality and energy compared to the placebo arm.5

In addition, change from baseline in total testosterone levels was 2.6 times greater in men (but not in women) treated with the extract blend compared to the placebo group. Free testosterone (the active form) increased 4.3 times more from baseline in the treatment group than in the placebo group.5

Testosterone plays a crucial role in maintaining muscle mass and sexual function in men.22-24 Men typically experience a reduction in testosterone levels starting around age 35.25

Testosterone levels did not change in female subjects in the study, which means hormone-related side effects were not an issue in women.

Boosting Strength and Endurance

Within just four weeks, measures of muscle endurance and muscle and handgrip strength significantly improved in the extract group compared to placebo.5

After 12 weeks, compared to placebo, those taking the extract blend had:5

  • 51% greater resistance to muscle fatigue,
  • 86% greater improvement in walking speed,
  • 4.2 times greater improvement in leg strength, and
  • 4.5 times greater improvement in handgrip strength.

Handgrip strength is a good indicator of overall muscle strength and quality of life in older adults.26,27 It is one of several tests that are used to measure biological age.28

Overall tolerance of the extract blend was good and without side effects.5

This blend can safely help maintain vigor and vitality in older age.

What You Need To Know

Stay Strong and Energetic

  • Vitality, or feeling lively and energetic, declines with age. That can erode independence and quality of life.
  • Maintaining muscle strength and endurance is key to preserving vitality. Regular exercise, including resistance training, can help, but may not be enough on its own.
  • To promote vitality, scientists searched for and developed a combination of extracts from East Indian globe thistle flower and mango tree bark.
  • In a clinical trial, oral intake of the extract blend plus resistance exercise resulted in 4.2 times more leg strength and twice the improvement in feelings of energy and vitality compared to exercise alone.
  • The extract blend also improved functional fitness, boosting walking speed by 86% compared to placebo, which could facilitate the completion of everyday tasks and activities.

Summary

Vitality or zest for life can dwindle as we age. Researchers combined East Indian globe thistle flower and mango tree bark extracts to help restore vitality.

In a clinical trial, daily oral intake of the extract blend significantly improved feelings of vitality and energy, muscle strength, endurance, and walking speed in aging adults.

The extracts worked quickly, producing improvements in strength and endurance within four weeks.

If you have any questions on the scientific content of this article, please call a Life Extension Wellness Specialist at 1-866-864-3027.

References

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