Arginine alpha-ketoglutarate (AAKG) is a salt formed by
combining two molecules of the amino acid Arginine and one
molecule of alpha-ketoglutarate. Because AKG seems to be
involved in amino acid synthesis and protein availability,
many athletes supplement with AKG as a way to increase
muscle mass and strength – although the evidence for its effectiveness is this
regard isquite
limited.
Increases muscle size and strength
Reduces body fat
Stimulates the immune system
AAKG has been used to treat patients suffering from burns,
surgery, malnutrition and other trauma. Although the
precise mechanism is unknown, AKG treatment decreases
muscle protein catabolism (breakdown) and/or increases
protein synthesis, in addition to promoting wound healing.
AKG may promote the secretion of anabolic hormones such as
insulin and growth hormone and increase amino acid
metabolism (glutamine & arginine), which may help explain
some of the clinical findings.
Scientific Support
Arginine ia a precursor of nitric oxide and polyamines,
respectively -metabolites which participate in a number of
metabolic functions. AKG supplements have been shown to
promote growth hormone and insulin secretion with anabolic
effects in postoperative patients. Their intermediary
metabolites (glutamine & proline) may also have beneficial
effects in promoting recovery from trauma. In animal
studies, AKG supplementation increases levels of arginine
and glutamine in skeletal muscles and stimulates immune
system function compared to animals not receiving AKG. The
immunomodulatory properties found with AKG suggest that it
may enhance host-defense mechanisms, particularly during
injury and acute stress
AAKG supplements (15 grams per day for 5 months) have been
shown to improve growth rates in small children. The AAKG
supplements resulted in elevated concentrations of
anabolic (growth) hormones and amino acid metabolites,
including insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), glutamine
and glutamate. In another study of healthy men, AAKG given
at 10 grams per day resulted in a 20-30% elevation in
insulin (another anabolic hormone), which were not
observed with supplementation of either Arginine or alpha-ketoglutarate
alone.
A test tube study found that AAKG induces a significant
increase in growth of human fibroblasts – cells with
similarities to muscle fiber cells. This effect was
dose-dependent, meaning that a more pronounced growth
effect was noted with increasing levels of AAKG (but not
with increasing levels of Arginine or alpha-ketoglutarate
alone).
In one study, the anti-catabolic effects of AAKG were
investigated in 14 multiple trauma patients who were
highly catabolic and hyper-metabolic. One group of
subjects received 20 grams of AAKG per day and showed a
significant increase in protein turnover as well as a an
increase in blood levels of insulin, growth hormone, and
free amino acids (glutamine, proline and Arginine)
compared to subjects not receiving AAKG supplements.
References
1. Cochard A, Guilhermet R, Bonneau M. Plasma growth
hormone (GH), insulin and amino acid responses to arginine
with or without aspartic acid in pigs. Effect of the dose.
Reprod Nutr Dev 1998 May-Jun;38(3):331-43.
2. Jeevanandam M, Petersen SR. Substrate fuel kinetics in
enterally fed trauma patients supplemented with Arginine
alpha ketoglutarate. Clin Nutr 1999 Aug;18(4):209-17.
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Ornithine Alpha-Ketoglutarate
(OKG) consists of Ornithine molecules bonded to Alpha-Ketoglutarate
molecules.
Often used in conjunction with
AAKG, OKG is
L-Ornithine bound with Alpha Ketoglucarate Acid.
Research has shown that
supplementation of OKG assists with increased protein
synthesis, decreased protein catabolism, improvements in
insulin and somatropin secretion and increased uptake of
amino acids and glucose to the muscles. OKG's anabolic
potential makes it a must for all athletes desiring muscle
mass and recovery. For your convenience, OKG comes in pure
powder form or capsules. Vitamin C and Magnesium have been
added to both for increased bio-efficiency.
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Protein
Synthesis
Pro-Anabolic Potential
Decreased Protein Catabolism
Vitamin & Mineral Co-factors
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