Overview

Alpha-ketoglutarate is a chemical found in the body. People use it to make medicine.

Alpha-ketoglutarate is used for kidney disease, intestinal and stomach disorders, and many other conditions but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses. Healthcare providers sometimes give alpha-ketoglutarate intravenously (by IV) for preventing injury to the heart caused by blood flow problems during heart surgery and for preventing muscle breakdown after surgery or trauma.

How does it work ?

Alpha-ketoglutarate works in many pathways in the body, to help make muscle, and to help heal wounds.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Possibly Effective for

  • Long-term kidney disease (chronic kidney disease or CKD). Taking calcium alpha-ketoglutarate seems to improve results of certain lab tests used to monitor the effectiveness of hemodialysis in patients receiving this treatment.
  • Tissue damage caused when there is limited blood flow and then blood flow is restored (ischemia-reperfusion injury). Administering alpha-ketoglutarate intravenously (by IV) seems to reduce blood supply problems during heart surgery.

Insufficient Evidence for

  • Athletic performance. A small study found that taking alpha-ketoglutarate daily for 5 weeks improves athletic performance.
  • Painful conditions caused by overuse of tendons (tendinopathy). Early research in people with Achilles tendon pain shows that taking a product containing alpha-ketoglutarate and other ingredients in addition to shock wave therapy seems to improve pain and function. It's unclear if the benefits are from alpha-ketoglutarate or other ingredients in this product.
  • Bacterial infections.
  • Bone health.
  • Cataracts.
  • Intestinal and stomach disorders.
  • Kidney disease.
  • Lung health.
  • Yeast infections.
  • Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of alpha-ketoglutarate for these uses.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Alpha-ketoglutarate is POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults when taken by mouth for up to 3 years.

When given by IV: Alpha-ketoglutarate is POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults when given by IV by a healthcare provider.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Alpha-ketoglutarate is POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults when taken by mouth for up to 3 years.

When given by IV: Alpha-ketoglutarate is POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults when given by IV by a healthcare provider. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of alpha-ketoglutarate during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Interactions ?

We currently have no information for ALPHA-KETOGLUTARATE (AKG) overview.

Dosing

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

BY MOUTH:
  • For long-term kidney disease (chronic kidney disease or CKD): 1.187 grams of alpha-ketoglutarate plus 0.813 grams of calcium carbonate three times weekly has been used. Also, about 4.5 grams of calcium alpha-ketoglutarate has been used daily for 3 years.
BY IV:
  • Tissue damage caused when there is limited blood flow and then blood flow is restored (ischemia-reperfusion injury): Healthcare providers give alpha-ketoglutarate by IV.
View References

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.