Alpha Ketoglutarate Supplement Benefits
One recent breakout wellness supplement is alpha ketoglutarate which is thought to have various benefits for our overall wellbeing. We naturally produce alpha ketoglutarate to assist with energy production in the body. When you supplement for alpha ketoglutarate, you are adding more easily produced amounts of this energy supporting molecule into the body. There are various compounds thought to be enhancers of essential body functions and alpha ketoglutarate may be one of these.
Recent studies have highlighted possible health benefits of alpha ketoglutarate and supplements containing alpha ketoglutarate for reducing cell stress, lowering inflammation and enhancing antioxidant levels. Some of the wider health benefits of alpha ketoglutarate may include reduced ageing, enhanced immunity and support for key organs such as the liver.
There is also evidence to suggest that alpha ketoglutarate supplements would provide massive benefits for muscle growth, while an alpha ketoglutarate supplement could also protect the wound healing process.
These are key reasons as to why alpha ketoglutarate supplements are a trending health supplement. Another important asset of alpha ketoglutarate supplementation is that this compound is rapidly absorbed into the blood stream from the digestive tract. Alpha ketoglutarate is very water soluble too and demonstrates very minimal toxicity.
In this article, the benefits of using a supplement containing alpha ketoglutarate will be considered to show how alpha ketoglutarate could support your health and wellbeing.
How Alpha Ketoglutarate Works In The Body
As animals, humans use inputs such as sugars, fatty acids or proteins to support energy production in the body. This is the opposite to plants or photosynthesising bacteria that use the reverse in photosynthesis.
During the process of energy production, the body makes different compounds, including alpha ketoglutarate, that support the ongoing production of energy within the body. Some of these are antioxidant molecules that can accept high energy electrons as part of this process. Because of these key attributes, alpha ketoglutarate has been highlighted as a compound that could support antiaging and the health of key organs. Involvements in energy production cycles mean that AKG or alpha ketoglutarate can also indirectly assist lipid and fatty acid synthesis.
Alpha Ketoglutarate Antioxidant Activity
Alpha ketoglutarate can function as an antioxidant against harmful compounds like hydrogen peroxide, while also supporting levels of important antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase. The reactive oxygen radical hydrogen peroxide can be released from our energy producing mitochondria.
Antioxidant enzymes form a very key part of the defences of the body from oxidative stress and resulting damages to our bodies. Resulting damages from radical molecules can include DNA, cancer or mitochondrial issues which can all lead to functional defects within the body. Chronic or excessive oxidative stress also leads to inflammatory diseases, including circulatory issues, metabolic disorders and neurological or brain functioning issues. This is also why alpha ketoglutarate has been pinpointed as a possible antiaging molecule.
Alpha Ketoglutarate And Protein Synthesis
Alpha ketoglutarate also supports the production of amino acids which are used to make protein. This molecule therefore has a secondary role in assisting with protein production and could also support with muscle growth, which requires a supply of amino acids.
Alpha ketoglutarate can be used in the body to make glutamine and glutamate. These are both core amino acids used in protein synthesis. They are also used for neurotransmission, toxin removal and energy metabolism. Glutamate or glutamic acid can also be made from glutamine. Glutamine is an energy source, making up 60% of the total available amino acids. Glutamate is also used to make glutathione, an essential antioxidant.
This gives you a really good idea as to how alpha ketoglutarate acts within the body and the basic processes a supplement could support.
Researched Benefits Of Alpha Ketoglutarate Supplements
Because of supporting roles in the functions of energy production, antioxidant defence and amino acid production, there are many possible benefits of taking alpha ketoglutarate as a supplement within the body.
Detoxification Support
Studies have identified inflammation lowering effects from alpha ketoglutarate, with particular attention to the liver. Alpha ketoglutarate supplements could improve liver health through support in eliminating heavy metal toxins, while also protecting levels of key health promoting antioxidant enzymes.
AKG or alpha ketoglutarate could also support against cyanide caused oxidative stress and its associated brain or kidney toxicity. Alpha ketoglutarate has been shown to prevent lipid peroxidation to support liver and kidney health, also through antioxidant enzyme support.
Antiaging Support
The antioxidant enhancement and unique antioxidant characteristics of alpha ketoglutarate may also support healthy hair growth. One study found that alpha ketoglutarate protected hair follicle integrity, an important antiaging characteristic for supporting hair growth with age. Oxidative stress in hair follicle cells, reduces their growth and can cause these cells to die off.
Higher antioxidant capabilities in cells support improved metabolism and growth. They also modulate ageing, with studies emphasising general antiaging benefits of alpha ketoglutarate that could extend health span. Results from alpha ketoglutarate supplement trials have shown this.
Various studies show that alpha ketoglutarate can encourage healthy cell cycles and oxidative status, with cancer supressing potential. This compound may support antiaging effects through direct support of our stem cells. Some studies have shown that alpha ketoglutarate could prevent age related fertility declines and that might be because of stem cell conservation.
Alpha Ketoglutarate Gut Health Benefits
Alpha ketoglutarate also supports lowered oxidative stress damage in the intestines, while also providing energy for gut cells. This could have benefits such as improved immunity, gut cell growth or integrity and other nutrient absorption. Studies show that alpha ketoglutarate supplements could improve intestinal villi length, while reducing inflammation. The antioxidant functions of supplements containing alpha ketoglutarate could also reduce risks of gut cancer or inflammatory bowel disease.
This intestinal strengthening capacity is a huge potential benefit of alpha ketoglutarate supplements, especially considering the rise in inflammatory gut diseases. Some studies also suggest that alpha ketoglutarate could reduce fat caused weight gain.
There could also be interactions between healthy gut bacteria and alpha ketoglutarate that further lower inflammatory stresses within the gut. Supplemental alpha ketoglutarate may improve gut diversity to support lowered gut inflammation.
Alpha Ketoglutarate And Performance Enhancement
There are various studies that present supplemental alpha ketoglutarate as a possible performance enhancing molecule. These studies show that alpha ketoglutarate has potential benefits in enhancing muscle growth and wound healing. Both of these are crucial parts of muscle recovery.
Alpha Ketoglutarate For Muscle Growth And Output
Research shows that supplementation with alpha ketoglutarate could enhance endurance, reduce fatigue and improve post-exercise recovery in active individuals. Supplements with alpha ketoglutarate also seem to improve energy status within muscles, which assists with muscle strength and recovery. This is likely the result of the involvement of AKG in energy production.
AKG, or alpha ketoglutarate, seems to activate classical mTOR muscle building signals. This triggers an onset of protein production and muscle anabolic actions, switching off protein degradation in muscles. Alpha ketoglutarate could also support healthy levels of hormones such as insulin and growth hormone which can influence muscle growth. Supplementing with alpha ketoglutarate could also improve blood vessel elasticity to further support muscle functioning.
Researchers have shown that the mTOR action of AKG also extends to bone cells, with alpha ketoglutarate supplements having potential benefits for improving bone mass or mineral density. Bone strength goes hand in hand with muscle strength. One study showed that this improvement in bone mineral density with AKG supplements was also significant for postmenopausal women.
The role of alpha ketoglutarate in amino acid production also means that it can provide proline for collagen within connective tissues. Some studies reckon about 25% of alpha ketoglutarate goes into to proline. This plays into both muscle and bone mass support or enhancement.
Studies with regular exercisers have shown that consuming a supplement containing alpha ketoglutarate could have benefits for and improve key markers of their performance. This includes one rep max lifting performance, maximum power output, exercise tolerance and training volume.
Muscle Oxidative Stress And Mitochondrial Health
The prevention of excessive oxidative stress or inflammation within the muscles during and after exercise is vital for muscle growth. Supplemental alpha ketoglutarate could prevent excess oxidative stress both individually in the body and also as a highly efficient energy source to support higher exercise capacity.
Inflammation is a contributing cause of muscle atrophy. Oxidative stress is heavily implicated in muscle diseases. AKG supplements could restore inflammatory status and therefore provide benefits for muscles. For muscle preservation, one study recommended doses of around 2grams a day for at least 12 weeks.
Mitochondrial functioning is also a very important part of muscle performance. Alpha ketoglutarate could potentially optimise mitochondrial functioning while providing antioxidant support.
Alpha Ketoglutarate And Wound Healing
One of the most impressive functions of alpha ketoglutarate supplements is a link to benefits for wound healing. This may be due to the increased access of body cells to proline for collagen production. One clinical trial discovered that alpha ketoglutarate supplements could significantly reduce the time taken for wound healing in severe burn patients.
Immune System Regulation
According to research, a supplement containing alpha ketoglutarate could also support our immune system. This is useful for high intensity athletes, who can come under immunity risks following heavy exercise.
Alpha ketoglutarate could optimise immune T cell and macrophage levels for responses to pathogens and the reduction of inflammation. Macrophage phagocytosis also seems to be improved with higher alpha ketoglutarate levels. This association between immune system function and alpha ketoglutarate may be very ancestral.
Supplemental alpha ketoglutarate could support various functions within the body providing improved antiaging responses, muscle output, antioxidant levels and gut health.
Summary
Alpha ketoglutarate is a breakout wellness supplement. While we naturally produce this compound, there are various studies all showing that supplementation with alpha ketoglutarate could have benefits for various aspects of our health.
Alpha ketoglutarate is crucial for optimal energy production within the body and also has antioxidant properties. AKG can also replenish levels of other antioxidants in the body, while supporting healthy amino acid levels. These core functions are why alpha ketoglutarate supplements could have so many benefits within the body.
For example, inflammation reduction and detoxification support are observable benefits of AKG. There have also been observed benefits for improved antiaging responses in the body and fertility. While this compound could also have potential benefits for optimal hair growth and maintenance.
Alpha ketoglutarate could have benefits for gut health through enhanced robustness against inflammation and improved gut cell growth. This supports things like nutrient absorption and immunity. Alpha ketoglutarate supplements could also be preventative of bowel cancers while promoting healthy gut bacteria.
Because of the heavy involvement of alpha ketoglutarate in energy production this compound could help with muscle performance and growth. Various trials show that there are benefits from alpha ketoglutarate supplements for improved muscle max outputs during workouts. AGK supplements could also improve muscle recovery and support mitochondrial functioning. Wound healing seems to also be improved with AKG supplements.
Overall, supplemental alpha ketoglutarate may optimise various functions within the body. This could include improved antiaging responses, muscle recovery or growth and antioxidant levels.
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