Evidence supporting the use of: Arginine alpha-ketoglutarate
For the health condition: Muscle Tone (lack of)

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Synopsis

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

Arginine alpha-ketoglutarate (AAKG) is a compound commonly found in dietary supplements aimed at athletes and bodybuilders, particularly for muscle growth, recovery, or enhanced muscle tone. The scientific rationale primarily stems from the roles of its components: arginine as a precursor of nitric oxide (NO), which can promote vasodilation and theoretically improve nutrient delivery to muscles, and alpha-ketoglutarate, an intermediate in the Krebs cycle thought to support energy production.

Despite its popularity, the quality and quantity of scientific evidence supporting AAKG’s efficacy for improving muscle tone (meaning baseline muscle firmness or readiness, not just muscle growth) is limited. Some small studies have found that arginine supplementation may increase blood flow or exercise performance, but results are inconsistent, and most studies do not specifically assess muscle tone in the clinical sense (as opposed to muscle size or strength). Reviews in peer-reviewed journals have concluded that while AAKG is safe at common doses, it has not been shown to significantly enhance muscle strength, performance, or muscle tone in healthy adults or athletes. Thus, its use is based more on plausible biological mechanisms and extrapolation from related outcomes than on direct clinical evidence for muscle tone.

In summary, while AAKG is used in sports nutrition for muscle-related outcomes and has some theoretical justification, there is weak scientific evidence (rating: 2) specifically supporting its use for improving or supporting muscle tone.

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Products containing Arginine alpha-ketoglutarate

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