Arginine Alpha Ketoglutarate (AAKG) is a compound that combines the amino acid L-arginine with alpha-ketoglutarate. The rationale for its use in supporting or treating erectile dysfunction (ED) is based on the role of L-arginine as a precursor to nitric oxide (NO), a molecule that facilitates vasodilation and increases blood flow, which is critical for achieving and maintaining an erection. Several clinical studies have evaluated L-arginine supplementation for ED, with mixed but generally modestly positive results, particularly in men with mild to moderate ED or those with low baseline nitric oxide levels. However, evidence specifically for AAKG (as opposed to plain L-arginine) is very limited, with most research focusing on the parent amino acid rather than the salt form.

A few small randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses have found that L-arginine supplementation may improve erectile function compared to placebo, but the effect size is typically small to moderate and may be clinically meaningful only in select populations. There is little to no direct evidence that the addition of alpha-ketoglutarate confers any further benefit for ED. Overall, the use of AAKG for ED is based on a plausible mechanism and extrapolation from L-arginine data, but high-quality evidence is lacking, and it should not be considered a primary or standalone therapy for erectile dysfunction.