Evidence supporting the use of: Arginine alpha ketoglutarate
For the health condition: Athletic and Exercise Aids
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Arginine Alpha Ketoglutarate (AAKG) is commonly marketed as a supplement to enhance athletic performance and exercise capacity. The rationale for its use is based on the physiological roles of its components: arginine is a precursor to nitric oxide (NO), which may promote vasodilation and blood flow, while alpha ketoglutarate is involved in the Krebs cycle for energy production. The hypothesis is that increased NO production could improve oxygen and nutrient delivery to muscles, potentially enhancing endurance, strength, and recovery. However, scientific evidence supporting these claims is mixed and overall limited. Some small studies have reported modest improvements in certain exercise outcomes, such as increased blood flow or reduced perceptions of fatigue, but these effects are inconsistent and often not statistically significant. Larger and more rigorous randomized controlled trials generally have failed to demonstrate clear benefits of AAKG supplementation in strength, power, or aerobic performance in healthy adults or athletes. A 2012 review in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition concluded that the majority of available research does not support the efficacy of AAKG for enhancing exercise performance. Moreover, the body rapidly regulates arginine and NO levels, which may limit the impact of supplementation. In summary, while there is a scientific rationale, the actual evidence supporting AAKG as an effective athletic or exercise aid is weak (rated 2 out of 5).
More about arginine alpha ketoglutarate
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Other ingredients used for Athletic and Exercise Aids
1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione7-Keto-DHEA
Acetyl L-carnitine
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
adenosine 5-triphosphate disodium (ATP)
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
Agmatine
Algae
Algal protein
Alpha D-ribofuranose
Alpha glyceryl
Alpha hydroxyisocaproic acid
alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG)
Alpha-ketoisocaproic acid
amino acids
antler
arachidonic acid
arginine alpha ketoglutarate
Arginine aspartate
arginine creatine
Arginine malate
Arginine nitrate
Arginine silicate
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
ba ji tian
bacillus subtilis
BCAA
bee pollen
Beef Protein
beet
beta-alanine
bicarbonate
black ginger
black tea
bovine
bovine protein
branched-chain amino acids
brown rice protein
Bulbine natalensis
caffeine
Camellia sinensis
capsaicinoids
capsiate
capsicum
capsinoids
cardarine
casein
cistanche
citrate malate
cocoa
coconut
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
collagen
colostrum
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
cordyceps
creatine
creatine monohydrate
curcumin
D-Aspartic Acid
D-Ribose
deer velvet
dihydrocapsiate
ecdysteroids
ecdysterone
electrolytes blend (proprietary)
eleuthero
elk antler
Ephedra
ephedrine
Ethyl-Alpha-Guanido-Methyl-Ethanoate
Eurycoma Longifolia
eurycomanone
Fadogia agrestis
ginseng
Ginsenosides
glucose
Glutamine
Glycerol
Glycocyamine
GMS-ribose
green tea
guanidinoacetic acid
guarana
Guaranine
guayusa
Higenamine
HMB hydroxymethylbutyrate
horny goat weed
hydroxymethylbutyrate
Isoleucine
isomaltulose
jiaogulan
ketone salts
kola nut
L-alanine
L-alanyl-L-glutamine
L-arginine
l-carnitine
L-citrulline
L-glutamine
L-glycine
l-isoleucine
L-leucine
L-ornithine
L-taurine
l-tyrosine
L-valine
lactalbumin
Laxogenin
maca
macaenes
macamides
magnesium
maral root
Mate
Methylliberine
Methylxanthine
Milk Protein
Mineral ascorbate
Muira puama
Mushroom
Nitrous Malate (TM) Diarginine Malate
omega-3 fatty acids
Ornithine
ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate
Palatinose
paraxanthine
Peppermint
Peptides
Phosphatidic Acid
Phosphocreatine
Phytoecdysteroid
Piper nigrum
protein
pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P)
pyrroloquinoline quinone
pyruvate
Quinoa Protein
Rhaponticum
Rhodiola
ribose
robusta coffee
Safed musli
salt
sea salt
Sida cordifolia
spirulina
suma
Synephrine
Teacrine
Theacrine
Theobromine
Tongkat ali
tribulus
Tribulus Terrestris
Trichilia catigua
Trichopus zeylanicus
Turkesterone
Valine alpha-hydroxyisocaproate
vitamin C
Watermelon
Whey protein
Xanthine
Yerba mate
Yohimbine
Other health conditions supported by arginine alpha ketoglutarate
Athletic and Exercise AidsBody Building
Circulation (poor)
Erectile Dysfunction
Exercise
Muscle Tone (lack of)