Evidence supporting the use of: Glutamine alpha-ketoglutarate
For the health condition: Surgery (healing from)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Glutamine alpha-ketoglutarate (GAKG) is a compound combining the amino acid glutamine with alpha-ketoglutarate, a key intermediate in the Krebs cycle. Glutamine, in particular, has been extensively studied for its potential benefits in surgical patients, especially those undergoing major operations or suffering from trauma. Evidence suggests that glutamine supplementation may help preserve gut integrity, support immune function, and reduce infection rates during the recovery process. Several randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses have demonstrated modest benefits in terms of reduced infectious complications, especially in critically ill or postoperative surgical patients when glutamine is administered as part of parenteral or enteral nutrition.

Alpha-ketoglutarate itself is less well studied, but it plays a role in amino acid metabolism and cellular energy production, which could theoretically aid tissue repair. The combination (GAKG) has been investigated in some clinical contexts, with a few studies suggesting possible benefits in nitrogen retention and muscle preservation after surgery. However, the bulk of robust evidence relates to glutamine alone, not specifically the GAKG combination. Overall, while there is scientific support for glutamine supplementation in surgical recovery—reflected in guidelines for select patient groups—the specific use of GAKG has less direct evidence. The overall quality of evidence is moderate (rated 3/5), with benefits most likely in malnourished or critically ill surgical patients, rather than the general surgical population.

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