ALPHA-KETOGLUTARATE (AKG): Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Alpha-ketoglutarate is a natural compound that works in many pathways in the body, including making muscle and healing wounds. It's also used as medicine.

Alpha-ketoglutarate seems to help the body rebuild muscle and reduce muscle loss after surgery or trauma. It might also have anti-aging effects.

People use alpha-ketoglutarate for long-term kidney disease. It is also used for aging, aging skin, athletic performance, liver disease, complications after surgery, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.

Don't confuse alpha-ketoglutarate with ornithine ketoglutarate. These are not the same.

Uses & Effectiveness

Possibly Effective for

Long-term kidney disease (chronic kidney disease or CKD). Taking alpha-ketoglutarate by mouth seems to improve results of certain lab tests used to monitor the effectiveness of hemodialysis in patients receiving this treatment.

There is interest in using alpha-ketoglutarate for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Alpha-ketoglutarate is possibly safe when used for up to 3 years.

When applied to the skin: Alpha-ketoglutarate is possibly safe when used for up to 8 weeks.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Alpha-ketoglutarate is possibly safe when used for up to 3 years.

When applied to the skin: Alpha-ketoglutarate is possibly safe when used for up to 8 weeks.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if alpha-ketoglutarate is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Interactions

We currently have no information for ALPHA-KETOGLUTARATE (AKG) overview.

Dosing

There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of alpha-ketoglutarate might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.

View References

REFERENCES:

Salerno, F., Abbiati, R., and Fici, F. Effect of pyridoxine alpha-ketoglutarate (PAK) on ammonia and pyruvic and lactic acid blood levels in patients with cirrhosis. Int.J.Clin.Pharmacol.Res. 1983;3(1):21-25. View abstract.

Son, E. D., Choi, G. H., Kim, H., Lee, B., Chang, I. S., and Hwang, J. S. Alpha-ketoglutarate stimulates procollagen production in cultured human dermal fibroblasts, and decreases UVB-induced wrinkle formation following topical application on the dorsal skin of hairless mice. Biol.Pharm.Bull. 2007;30(8):1395-1399. View abstract.

Wiren, M., Permert, J., and Larsson, J. Alpha-ketoglutarate-supplemented enteral nutrition: effects on postoperative nitrogen balance and muscle catabolism. Nutrition 2002;18(9):725-728. View abstract.

Zimmermann, E., Wassmer, S., and Steudle, V. Long-term treatment with calcium-alpha-ketoglutarate corrects secondary hyperparathyroidism. Miner.Electrolyte Metab 1996;22(1-3):196-199. View abstract.

Asadi Shahmirzadi A, Edgar D, Liao CY, et al. Alpha-ketoglutarate, an endogenous metabolite, extends lifespan and compresses morbidity in aging mice. Cell Metab. 2020 Sep 1;32(3):447-456.e6. View abstract.

Aussel C, Coudray-Lucas C, Lasnier E, et al. Alpha-Ketoglutarate uptake in human fibroblasts. Cell Biol Int 1996;20:359-63. View abstract.

Blomqvist BI, Hammarqvist F, von der Decken A, et al. Glutamine and alpha-ketoglutarate prevent the decrease in muscle free glutamine concentration and influence protein synthesis after total hip replacement. Metabolism 1995;44:1215-22. View abstract.

Blomqvist BI, Hammarqvist F, von der Decken A, Wernerman J. Glutamine and alpha-ketoglutarate prevent the decrease in muscle free glutamine concentration and influence protein synthesis after total hip replacement. Metabolism 1995;44:1215-22. View abstract.

Demidenko O, Barardo D, Budovskii V, et al. Rejuvant®, a potential life-extending compound formulation with alpha-ketoglutarate and vitamins, conferred an average 8 year reduction in biological aging, after an average of 7 months of use, in the TruAge DNA methylation test. Aging (Albany NY) 2021;13(22):24485-99. View abstract.

Jeppsson A, Ekroth R, Friberg P, et al. Renal effects of alpha-ketoglutarate early after coronary operations. Ann Thorac Surg 1998;65:684-90. View abstract.

Kaczka P, Kubicka K, Batra A, et al. Effects of Co-Ingestion of ß-Hydroxy-ß-Methylbutyrate and L-Arginine a-Ketoglutarate on Jump Performance in Young Track and Field Athletes. Nutrients 2021;13(4):1064. View abstract.

Kjellman U, Bjork K, Ekroth R, et al. Alpha-ketoglutarate for myocardial protection in heart surgery. Lancet 1995;345:552-3. View abstract.

Kjellman UW, Bjork K, Ekroth R, et al. Addition of alpha-ketoglutarate to blood cardioplegia improves cardioprotection. Ann Thorac Surg 1997;63:1625-33. View abstract.

Liu Y, Lange R, Langanky J, et al. Improved training tolerance by supplementation with a-keto acids in untrained young adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition 2012;9:37. View abstract.

Notarnicola A, Pesce V, Vicenti G, et al. SWAAT study: extracorporeal shock wave therapy and arginine supplementation and other nutraceuticals for insertional Achilles tendinopathy. Adv Ther. 2012 Sep;29:799-814. View abstract.

Riedel E, Nundel M, Hampl H. Alpha-Ketoglutarate application in hemodialysis patients improves amino acid metabolism. Nephron 1996;74:261-5. View abstract.

Tan Q, Wang W, Yang C, et al. a-ketoglutarate is associated with delayed wound healing in diabetes. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2016;85(1):54-61. View abstract.

Wernerman J, Hammarqvist F, Vinnars E. Alpha-ketoglutarate and postoperative muscle catabolism. Lancet 1990;335:701-3. View abstract.

Willoughby DS, Boucher T, Reid J, Skelton G, Clark M. Effects of 7 days of arginine-alpha-ketoglutarate supplementation on blood flow, plasma L-arginine, nitric oxide metabolites, and asymmetric dimethyl arginine after resistance exercise. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2011 Aug;21(4):291-9. View abstract.

Wu N, Yang M, Gaur U, Xu H, Yao Y, Li D. Alpha-Ketoglutarate: Physiological Functions and Applications. Biomol Ther (Seoul). 2016 Jan;24(1):1-8. View abstract.

Yang F, Zhou Z, Guo M, Zhou Z. The study of skin hydration, anti-wrinkles function improvement of anti-aging cream with alpha-ketoglutarate. J Cosmet Dermatol 2022;21(4):1736-43. View abstract.

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ALPHA-KETOGLUTARATE (AKG) - Uses, Side Effects, and More