Overview

Alpha-ketoglutarate is a natural compound that works in many pathways in the body, including making muscle and healing wounds. It's also used as medicine.

Alpha-ketoglutarate seems to help the body rebuild muscle and reduce muscle loss after surgery or trauma. It might also have anti-aging effects.

People use alpha-ketoglutarate for long-term kidney disease. It is also used for aging, aging skin, athletic performance, liver disease, complications after surgery, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.

Don't confuse alpha-ketoglutarate with ornithine ketoglutarate. These are not the same.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Possibly Effective for

  • Long-term kidney disease (chronic kidney disease or CKD). Taking alpha-ketoglutarate by mouth seems to improve results of certain lab tests used to monitor the effectiveness of hemodialysis in patients receiving this treatment.
There is interest in using alpha-ketoglutarate for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Alpha-ketoglutarate is possibly safe when used for up to 3 years.

When applied to the skin: Alpha-ketoglutarate is possibly safe when used for up to 8 weeks.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Alpha-ketoglutarate is possibly safe when used for up to 3 years.

When applied to the skin: Alpha-ketoglutarate is possibly safe when used for up to 8 weeks.


Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if alpha-ketoglutarate is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Interactions ?

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

Dosing

There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of alpha-ketoglutarate might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
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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.