Evidence supporting the use of: Alpha-Ketoglutarate
For the health condition: Athletic and Exercise Aids

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Alpha-Ketoglutarate (AKG) is an intermediate in the Krebs cycle and has been marketed as an exercise and athletic aid due to its role in energy metabolism. Some supplement formulations claim AKG may help improve exercise performance, reduce muscle breakdown, or enhance recovery. The rationale is based on AKG’s involvement in amino acid metabolism, ammonia detoxification, and energy production, which are all processes relevant to physical performance.

However, scientific validation for these performance-related effects is limited. A few small-scale human studies have examined AKG supplementation in athletes, with mixed results. For example, a 2002 study found that AKG supplementation did not improve strength or endurance performance in resistance-trained men. Some animal and in vitro studies suggest potential benefits in reducing muscle protein breakdown or supporting recovery, but these findings have not been robustly replicated in well-designed human trials.

Systematic reviews and expert panels generally conclude that current evidence is insufficient to support AKG supplementation as an effective performance enhancer for athletes or physically active individuals. While AKG is involved in important metabolic pathways, oral supplementation does not appear to translate into meaningful improvements in exercise capacity or muscle recovery in most tested populations. Thus, while there is a scientific basis for exploring AKG, the clinical evidence supporting its use as an athletic or exercise aid remains weak.

More about Alpha-Ketoglutarate
More about Athletic and Exercise Aids

Other ingredients used for Athletic and Exercise Aids

7-Keto-DHEA
acetyl l-carnitine
adenosine 5-triphosphate disodium (ATP)
alpha d-ribofuranose
alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG)
amino acids
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
bacillus subtilis
beet
beta-alanine
black tea
bovine
branched-chain amino acids
caffeine
capsaicinoids
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
collagen
colostrum
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
cordyceps
creatine monohydrate
curcumin
eleuthero
ginseng
green tea
guarana
guayusa
l-isoleucine
l-alanine
l-alanyl-l-glutamine
l-arginine
l-carnitine
l-citrulline
l-glutamine
l-glycine
l-leucine
l-ornithine
l-taurine
l-tyrosine
l-valine
maca
magnesium
maltodextrin
muira puama
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
omega-3 fatty acids
ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate
peppermint oil
protein
pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P)
rhodiola
black ginger
spirulina
tongkat ali
tribulus
vitamin C
watermelon
whey protein
suma
jiaogulan
capsicum
bee pollen
cistanche
electrolytes blend (proprietary)
yerba mate
algae
cocoa
brown rice protein
sea salt
1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione
2, 17a-dimethyl-17b-hydroxy-5a-androst-2-ene
Arginine Alpha Ketoglutarate
Antler
Arginine Creatine
Arginine nitrate
Arachidonic Acid
Arginine malate
Arginine aspartate
Alpha glyceryl
Alpha-ketoisocaproic acid
Agmatine
adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
Algal protein
Alpha hydroxyisocaproic acid
Arginine silicate
Bicarbonate
Beef Protein
Bovine Protein
Bulbine natalensis
Ba Ji Tian
BCAA
Camellia sinensis
Coconut
Casein
Cardarine
Capsinoids
Citrate malate
Capsiate
Creatine
D-Aspartic Acid
Dihydrocapsiate
Deer Velvet
D-Ribose
Ephedra
Eurycomanone
Elk antler
Eurycoma Longifolia
Ecdysteroids
Elthyl-Alpha-Guanido-Methyl-Ethanoate
Ecdysterone
Ephedrine
Fadogia agrestis
Ginsenosides
Glutamine
GMS-ribose
glucose
Glycocyamine
Glycerol
Isoleucine
Ketone Salts
Milk Protein
Quinoa Protein
salt
Tribulus Terrestris
yohimbine

Products containing Alpha-Ketoglutarate

We currently have no products on Caring Sunshine that contain this ingredient.