AAKG is a salt of the amino acid L-Arginine and alpha-ketoglutarate acid. AAKG has grown in popularity over the years with bodybuilders for its purported benefits on muscles and performance due to the belief that it may help increase nitricxide levels.
AAKG, (Arginine alpha-ketoglutarate) is made up of arginine and alpha-ketoglutarate. Alpha-ketoglutarate is a key player in amino acid metabolism and in the cell's energy making process. Alpha-ketoglutarate is integral to the conversion of ingested sugar into adenosine triphosphate (ATP; the cell's main energy carrier). Alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, on the other hand, is critical for the normal function of mitochondria. In addition to the actions of alpha-ketoglutarate, arginine may exert separate beneficial effects. Arginine may also block inflammation in the brain and spinal cord.
AAKG may boost athletic performance, but evidence from large studies is lacking. The journal Nutrition published two small double-blinded studies in its September 2006 issue that showed positive results. The study participants were healthy men between the ages of 30 a 50. Researchers found that supplementing with AAKG increased arginine levels and beneficially influenced peak power output on wingate and bench press tests. Both of these are anaerobic exercises, which refers to short-duration, high-intensity movements common in nonendurance sports such as bodybuilding and sprinting. AAKG has not been shown to have benefits for endurance exercise.
