Everyone desires to live longer and be in excellent health, and there is an extensive body of research going on. The good news is that scientists have identified many naturally occurring substances that may help us live healthier and longer lives. One of them is Calcium alpha-ketoglutarate. It’s no surprise, then, that AKG supplements are popular. But what are its benefits for the body?
For this, we need to take a closer look at alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG) to find the real advantages of the calcium form of AKG or the calcium alpha-ketoglutarate.
Hans Adolf Krebs and William Arthur Johnson discovered alpha-ketoglutarate as a part of the citric acid cycle discovery. Hans Adolph Krebs was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1953 for his discovery, which is now known as the Krebs cycle. It is basically a metabolite that is produced by our bodies as part of the Krebs cycle.
In the first stages of development, AKG is produced by the body as part of the cellular energy production process. AKG, the nitrogen-free component of the amino acids glutamine and glutamic acid, supplies energy for our cells and has a protective impact during development. It also helps us recover from injuries, especially those that affect our muscles. The energy it provides our cells with benefits not only our metabolism but also our kidneys, our digestive system, and our ability to form new bones.
Unfortunately, the body’s production of alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG) begins to decline around age 40, and amounts of AKG are nearly 90% less in people aged 80 than in those aged 40.
AKG that has been converted into a calcium compound is known as calcium AKG, and experts think that calcium alpha-ketoglutarate (calcium AKG or CAKG) is superior to normal alpha-ketoglutarate.
What is Calcium Alpha-Ketoglutarate CA-aKG?
Calcium alpha-ketoglutarate (Ca-AKG) is a stable version of the naturally occurring substance alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG), which our systems make up until the age of about 40.
Difference Between CA-aKG and AKG
Calcium Alpha Ketoglutarate (Ca-AKG) and Alpha-Ketoglutarate (AKG) are two distinct substances that each have their own unique properties and uses. If we are able to differentiate between these compounds, we will be better able to understand their individual qualities and applications.
Alpha Ketoglutarate, or AKG for short, is a natural compound found in our bodies. It is an important substance involved in essential metabolic processes. AKG plays a crucial role in a process called the Krebs cycle, which helps produce energy in our cells. It helps break down carbohydrates, amino acids, and fats, and it also acts as a building block for making certain amino acids, which are important for our body’s functions. AKG is naturally present in our bodies and contributes to various metabolic activities that help keep us healthy and energetic.
As a dietary supplement, AKG is available in the form of AKG salts, such as calcium or potassium alpha-ketoglutarate. These supplements are commonly used to support athletic performance, aid in muscle recovery, and contribute to overall health.
On the other hand, Calcium Alpha Ketoglutarate is a compound formed by combining calcium and alpha-ketoglutarate, as the name suggests. It can not be produced by the body and is a popular dietary supplement in the fields of sports nutrition and bodybuilding. Its prospective benefits in augmenting athletic performance, reducing muscle fatigue, and facilitating post-workout recovery have made it a favorite among fitness enthusiasts. Recently it has been studied widely for its anti-aging properties and has been shown to have greater anti-aging and longer lifespan effects.
| Alpha Ketoglutarate (AKG) | Calcium Alpha Ketoglutarate (Ca-AKG) |
| Alpha-ketoglutarate, also known as AKG, is a naturally occurring substance in the human body. | Calcium alpha-ketoglutarate is a combination of calcium and the naturally occurring compound alpha-ketoglutarate. |
| AKG participates in energy production and aids in the breakdown of carbohydrates, amino acids, and lipids. | It is believed to increase energy, lower muscle fatigue, increase endurance, and aid in muscle regeneration after exercise. Recently studied for reducing age-related problems. |
| People can consume AKG as a dietary supplement, typically in the form of calcium or potassium alpha-ketoglutarate salts. | AKG calcium is used as a supplement for athletics and bodybuilding. It can be consumed alone or in conjunction with a pre-workout supplement. |
While calcium AKG is a supplement for athletes, alpha-ketoglutarate is the free form of the molecule that the body produces and is available as a dietary supplement to assist different areas of health. Recognizing these differences allows us to make educated decisions about their possible positive effects on our health.
Evidence-Based Benefits of CA-aKG
Let’s explore the intriguing advantages of this naturally occurring longevity supplement.
Regulates Calcium Levels in Blood
Ca-AKG is useful for keeping blood calcium levels steady. It regulates the ratio of phosphate to calcium by binding with extra phosphate. Treatment with Ca-AKG supplements has been found to be effective in lowering phosphate levels and raising calcium levels in the blood of individuals with hyperparathyroidism.
Support Bone Health & Skin Integrity
Skin appearance and bone density are potent biomarkers of longevity. A larger number of senescent cells are present in damaged skin (and the prevalence of senescent cells is a hallmark of senescence), which leads to a host of additional aging problems. It has also been found that Calcium-AKG helps the epidermis stay healthy and young looking. In addition to promoting regular cellular function and detoxification, it boosts collagen and protein production.
Also, age-related loss of bone density increases the likelihood of fractures. That is why the condition of one’s bones is a critical indicator of longevity. Researchers in 2020 discovered that giving mice AKG increased bone thickness, mass, and mineral density.
Another research conducted on postmenopausal women with osteoporosis found that a daily AKG oral intake of 6 grams resulted in a 2% increase in bone density after six months. Bone resorption indicators were also significantly reduced in AKG individuals.
AKG for Muscle and Athletic Recovery
Sarcopenia is a condition common in the elderly, marked by a loss of muscular mass, strength, and function. It’s associated with a wide range of adverse outcomes, including accidents and bone fractures.
The use of AKG as a sports supplement was widespread because of its beneficial effects on strength and muscular size in a variety of sports. It works by inhibiting prolyl hydroxylase (an enzyme that regulates cell growth and programmed cell death), and AKG may avoid muscular protein breakdown.
AKG has the potential to increase performance, muscle growth, and recovery efficiency.
Supports a Healthier Cardiovascular System
Keeping a healthy heart is essential for avoiding mortality and extending life. It has been found that supplementing mice with calcium AKG has been shown to increase antioxidant status and promote blood vessel elasticity, both of which are strong indicators of cardiovascular health.
In humans, one of the most common uses of AKG is in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac problems (especially before, during, and after heart operations). It has also been studied in a few earlier studies to decrease the ischemia-related biomarkers in the human body.
Brain Health
One of the most significant effects of growing older is a decline in mental acuity, which is intensified by the occurrence of neurological diseases.
It is probable that AKG, a forerunner to the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate, plays a crucial role in assisting memory and neurotransmission improvement in the elderly. In addition, AKG can mitigate oxidative stress, a risk factor for several neurological disorders (such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s). This suggests that AKG supplementation may be useful in promoting brain health and lowering the chance of cognitive decline in the elderly.
In another 2006 study, Ornithine-form AKG was shown to significantly enhance awareness and reduce neurological damage compared to placebo when administered within 96 hours of stroke onset.
Increases Longevity
AKG and calcium alpha-ketoglutarate has seen a revival in popularity due to their remarkable anti-aging and health span-enhancing effects. There is considerable scientific proof demonstrating that alpha-ketoglutarate increases lifespan in a variety of model organisms (C elegans, fruit flies, and mice), so it meets all the criteria for a perfect longevity molecule. (1)
The most hopeful research on alpha-ketoglutarate was reported in the journal Cell Metabolism in 2020. Calcium alpha-ketoglutarate (Ca-AKG) was tested on old mice to see if it slows down the aging process. Incredibly startling outcomes followed. According to the same research, calcium alpha-ketoglutarate,
- Longer lifespan
- Reduced morbidity (significantly delayed the onset of age-related conditions and diseases)
- Reduces Chronic inflammation.
- Reduced weakness
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8660611/
A recent 2021 study on human participants who took 1,000mg of calcium AKG for an average of 7 months saw an 8-year delay of biological aging as determined by DNA methylation clocks (biological age testing).
Helps Improve the Quality of Life
Research performed by the Buck Center for Research on Aging and supported by Ponce De Leon Health showed that delivery of calcium alpha-ketoglutarate (Ca-AKG) to old mice increased survival rate and decreased morbidity as much as 40 percent, primarily by reversing more than 30 signs of age-related decline.
We now know that a number of different systems and tissues can profit from having normal AKG levels. The cardiovascular system, muscular system, brain, liver and kidneys, and digestive tract.
Improves Renal Function
Ca-AKG has been demonstrated to enhance kidney function and nutrition in chronic renal failure patients. In addition, AKG regulates acid–base homeostasis in renal tubules and enhances renal function.
Methods to Enhance CA-aKG Levels in Body
Alpha-ketoglutarate does not naturally occur in the human diet and can only be synthesized chemically by food sources of AKG such as beef, eggs, tofu, skim milk, white rice, maize, spinach, legumes, and lentils, among others. Increasing its levels is possible through exercise and fasting, but direct supplementation is the most efficient, feasible, and practical method.
Finding a reliable source is important because it’s safer to ingest alpha-ketoglutarate, which has been refined, as recommended by Dr. Sinclair. The FDA has given GRAS status to it, and its human safety record suggests that it may be used safely in humans to enhance the lives of the elderly.
The supplement must be taken with or without food. And it can also be mixed with foods and drinks.
Side Effects & Precautions of Calcium AKG Supplement
Taking 4.5 grams daily for up to three years has shown no serious side effects in studies.
However, it is not recommended that pregnant or nursing women take Calcium Alpha-Ketoglutarate Anti-Aging supplements. So it is always suggested to avoid certain drugs under these conditions.
Dosage And Effective Timeline
The following clinical studies on humans have rendered this data,
6 Months: In a human trial of postmenopausal women, Ca-AKG supplementation of 6 grams for a total of 6 months was shown to increase bone mass density by baseline up to 2%.
7 months: In a recent study of 42 individuals, Calcium alpha-ketoglutarate was shown to reduce the biological age up to 8 years with supplementation of 1g for almost 7 months.
3 years: A dosage of 4.5 gms of calcium alpha-ketoglutarate was shown to reduce secondary hyperparathyroidism in a human trial without any adverse effects.
How to Check if CA-aKG Supplement is working?
Using a biological age testing kit at home could be beneficial. Before beginning calcium AKG supplementation, you could conduct an at-home biological age test as an experiment. Methylation clocks, or biological age studies, use DNA samples from saliva to calculate an approximate cellular age. These tests are an interesting method to learn how your cells are aging. Learn more about them in this article here.
To see how the calcium AKG affected your chronological age, it is suggested to repeat the test in 6-10 months.
The normal decline in AKG levels is a well-known phenomenon between the ages of 40 and 80, and it is now accepted that cellular aging is the first stage of the aging process. Calcium AKG has been shown in scientific studies to be a safe and effective method to extend the lives of living beings. Shouldn’t we consider taking a supplement that could improve our health and extend our lives?
