A-AKG Powder Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate [Discontinued] by OL Olympian Labs, Inc.

POSSIBLY EFFECTIVE

• Chronic kidney disease (CKD). Oral alpha-ketoglutarate appears to improve markers of amino acid metabolism and prevent secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with CKD on hemodialysis. Details: Several small clinical studies in patients on hemodialysis show that taking calcium alpha-ketoglutarate seems to improve biochemical markers, including blood levels of urea and phosphate, when compared with pre-treatment (5311,30784,30785). Furthermore, one small clinical study shows that taking calcium alpha-ketoglutarate 4.5 grams daily for 36 months decreases serum levels of parathyroid hormone in these patients, suggesting that calcium alpha-ketoglutarate might decrease the risk of secondary hyperparathyroidism (30785).

INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE

• Aging. It is unclear if oral alpha-ketoglutarate can prevent signs and symptoms of aging. Details: A small observational study in healthy adults has found that taking a specific product (Rejuvant, Ponce De Leon Health Inc.), providing calcium alpha-ketoglutarate 2 grams and vitamin A 900 mg (males) or vitamin D 25 mg (females), daily for 4-10 months is associated with an 8-year reduction in biological age, as measured by DNA methylation testing (111124). The validity of these findings is limited by a lack of randomization and placebo control.
• Aging skin. It is unclear if topical alpha-ketoglutarate is beneficial in patients with aging skin. Details: A small clinical study in healthy Chinese females shows that applying alpha-ketoglutarate cream to the face daily for 8 weeks improves skin firmness and reduces the severity of crow's feet wrinkles, nasolabial folds, and forehead skin wrinkles when compared to baseline (111125). The validity of these findings is limited by a lack of control group.
• Athletic performance. It is unclear if oral alpha-ketoglutarate improves athletic performance. Details: A small clinical trial in adults shows that taking alpha-ketoglutarate (Evonik Rexim SAS) 0.2 grams/kg daily for 5 weeks increases exercise tolerance, power output, and muscle torque when compared with placebo (18113). Another small clinical study in middle-distance runners 14-17 years of age shows that taking a specific L-arginine alpha-ketoglutarate product (AAKG 1250 Extreme Mega Caps, Olimp Laboratories) 2.5-3.75 grams, combined with a calcium hydroxymethylbutyrate product (HMB 1250 Mega Caps, Olimp Laboratories) 2.5 grams, 3 times daily attenuates reductions in countermovement jump height during a 12-day intensive training camp when compared with placebo. Markers of muscle damage and stress were similar in both groups (106032). It is unclear if the findings from this study are due to alpha-ketoglutarate, other ingredients, or the combination.
• Bariatric surgery complications. Although there has been interest in using oral alpha-ketoglutarate for bariatric surgery complications, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of alpha-ketoglutarate for this purpose.
• Idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. Although there has been interest in using oral alpha-ketoglutarate for idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of alpha-ketoglutarate for this purpose.
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Although there has been interest in using oral alpha-ketoglutarate for IBD, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of alpha-ketoglutarate for this purpose.
• Ischemia-reperfusion injury. It is unclear if intravenous alpha-ketoglutarate can prevent ischemia-reperfusion injury during or after heart surgery. Details: A small clinical study in male patients undergoing heart surgery shows that intravenous administration of alpha-ketoglutarate 28 grams with blood cardioplegia reduces several markers of ischemia when compared with a control group, suggesting that alpha-ketoglutarate might prevent ischemic injury during heart surgery (5312,5313).
• Liver disease. Although there has been interest in using oral alpha-ketoglutarate for liver disease, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of alpha-ketoglutarate for this purpose.
• Osteoarthritis. Although there has been interest in using oral alpha-ketoglutarate for osteoarthritis, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of alpha-ketoglutarate for this purpose.
• Osteoporosis. Although there has been interest in using oral alpha-ketoglutarate for osteoporosis, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of alpha-ketoglutarate for this purpose.
• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although there has been interest in using oral alpha-ketoglutarate for RA, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of alpha-ketoglutarate for this purpose.
• Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). Although there has been interest in using oral alpha-ketoglutarate for SIBO, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of alpha-ketoglutarate for this purpose.
• Tendinopathy. Oral alpha-ketoglutarate has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: A small clinical study in patients with insertional Achilles tendinopathy shows that taking two sachets of a specific combination product (Tenosan, Agave s.r.l.), each containing methylsulfonylmethane 550 mg, arginine-L-alpha-ketoglutarate 500 mg, hydrolyzed collagen type I 300 mg, Vinitrox 125 mg, bromelain 50 mg, and vitamin C 60 mg, in addition to extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) improves pain and function when compared with ESWT alone (19321). It is unclear if these findings are due to alpha-ketoglutarate, other ingredients, or the combination. More evidence is needed to rate alpha-ketoglutarate for these uses.

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POSSIBLY SAFE ...when used orally and appropriately for up to 3 years (5311,18113,30784,30785,30778). When used topically for up to 8 weeks (111125). ...when used intravenously and appropriately (5308,5309,5310,5311,5312,5313).

PREGNANCY AND LACTATION:
Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

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General ...Orally, topically, and intravenously, alpha-ketoglutarate seems to be well tolerated.

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