Evidence supporting the use of: Glutamine alpha-ketoglutarate
For the health condition: Athletic and Exercise Aids

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Synopsis

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

Glutamine alpha-ketoglutarate (GAKG) is used in some athletic and exercise supplements with the rationale that combining glutamine (an amino acid important for muscle metabolism and recovery) with alpha-ketoglutarate (a Krebs cycle intermediate involved in energy production) may enhance performance or recovery. Glutamine itself is a well-studied amino acid; it is abundant in muscle tissue and plays a role in protein synthesis, immune function, and intestinal health. Alpha-ketoglutarate is central to cellular energy production and ammonia detoxification.

Some small studies have examined glutamine supplementation in athletes, with mixed results. While early studies suggested glutamine might reduce muscle soreness or support immune function after intense exercise, more recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses indicate that oral glutamine supplementation does not consistently enhance muscle mass, strength, or performance in healthy adults. Evidence for GAKG specifically is even more limited. A few early studies, such as Lambert et al. (1994), explored the effects of GAKG on weight training outcomes but found no significant benefits on muscle strength or composition compared to placebo. There is also insufficient evidence to support enhanced recovery or reduced muscle breakdown in athletes using GAKG.

Overall, while the theoretical basis for GAKG use in exercise exists, robust clinical evidence supporting its efficacy as an athletic or exercise aid is lacking. Thus, its use in this context is only weakly supported by current scientific literature.

More about Glutamine alpha-ketoglutarate
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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
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
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
Ethyl-Alpha-Guanido-Methyl-Ethanoate
ecdysterone
ephedrine
Fadogia agrestis
guanidinoacetic acid
Ginsenosides
Glutamine
GMS-ribose
glucose
Glycocyamine
Guaranine
Glycerol
Higenamine
hydroxymethylbutyrate
HMB hydroxymethylbutyrate
horny goat weed
isomaltulose
Isoleucine
kola nut
ketone salts
lactalbumin
Laxogenin
macamides
maral root
Mineral ascorbate
Milk Protein
Methylxanthine
Methylliberine
Mate
Mushroom
macaenes
Nitrous Malate (TM) Diarginine Malate
Ornithine
Phosphocreatine
pyrroloquinoline quinone
paraxanthine
Phytoecdysteroid
pyruvate
Phosphatidic Acid
Piper nigrum
Palatinose
Peptides
Quinoa Protein
Rhaponticum
ribose
robusta coffee
Synephrine
Safed musli
salt
Sida cordifolia
Theobromine
Trichilia catigua
Turkesterone
Trichopus zeylanicus
Theacrine
Teacrine
Tribulus Terrestris
Valine alpha-hydroxyisocaproate
Xanthine
Yohimbine

Products containing Glutamine alpha-ketoglutarate

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.