Arginine alpha-ketoglutarate (AAKG) is the salt of arginine and alpha-ketoglutaric acid bonded together.
Arginine and alpha-ketoglutarate are precursors of nitric oxide. AKG supplements have been shown to promote growth hormone and insulin secretion with anabolic effects in postoperative patients. Their intermediary metabolites (glutamine & proline) may also have beneficial effects in promoting recovery from trauma. In animal studies, AKG supplementation increases levels of arginine and glutamine in skeletal muscles and stimulates immune system function compared to animals not receiving AKG. The immunomodulatory properties found with AKG suggest that it may enhance host-defense mechanisms, particularly during injury and acute stress.
