Evidence supporting the use of: Glutamine alpha-ketogutarate
For the health condition: Wasting

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Synopsis

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

Glutamine alpha-ketoglutarate (GAKG) is sometimes used in clinical and sports nutrition contexts, particularly for conditions involving muscle wasting (cachexia), such as those associated with chronic illness, trauma, or severe burns. The rationale stems from the individual roles of glutamine and alpha-ketoglutarate. Glutamine is a conditionally essential amino acid during catabolic states and supports immune function, gut integrity, and muscle metabolism. Alpha-ketoglutarate is an intermediate in the Krebs cycle and is involved in protein metabolism and ammonia detoxification. Several studies have investigated glutamine supplementation in patients with muscle wasting, particularly in critical illness and HIV/AIDS. Some clinical trials suggest modest benefits in nitrogen balance and reduced infection rates. However, the evidence for GAKG specifically, as opposed to glutamine alone, is limited. Most studies use glutamine or glutamine peptides rather than the alpha-ketoglutarate salt. There are some animal and pilot human studies indicating that alpha-ketoglutarate may help reduce muscle protein breakdown and support anabolic processes. Overall, while there is a scientific rationale and some supportive data for glutamine (and to a lesser extent alpha-ketoglutarate) in the context of wasting, robust clinical evidence for the combined GAKG form is limited. The evidence is rated as 2 out of 5 due to limited direct clinical trials and inconsistent results. Therefore, the use of GAKG for wasting is supported by some scientific evidence but is not strongly validated.

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