L-arginine alpha-ketoglutarate, also briefly referred to as AAKG, is a dietary supplement that enjoys great interest among athletes and physically active people, in particular among athletes performing strength training, who want to increase muscle mass and increase strength and endurance. It is a preparation that can increase the synthesis of nitric oxide in the body, and thus can promote the effect of a muscle pump and at the same time have a positive effect on the regeneration of the body. What properties and effects can L-arginine alpha-ketoglutarate exhibit? How to dose AAKG? What are the side effects of incorrectly taking the supplement?
Summary
AAKG - what is it?
AAKG, also known as L-arginine alpha-ketoglutarate, is a chemical compound that is formed as a result of the combination of ketoacid, which is glutaric acid, with the amino acid - L-arginine. It is a popular dietary supplement which, due to the possible effect on increasing the secretion of nitric oxide in the body, is willingly used by athletes and physically active people as a pre-workout preparation.
The combination of glutaric acid and arginine makes that formation of a compound that has a synergistic effect, and the ingredients used in the product work more effectively together than separately, distinguished by better bioavailability in the human body.
AAKG - influence and properties
The A-AKG is willingly used by athletes as a pre-workout, a dietary supplement used before starting physical activity. This is due to the fact that the L-arginine alpha-ketoglutarate may contribute to an increase in the production of the nitric oxide (NO) in the body and an increase in the effect of the muscle pump, which in turn may cause the dilation of blood vessels, and also affect their flexibility. Thus, the AAKG can cause an increase in blood flow, as well as faster transport of oxygen and nutrients to the muscles, which can have a positive effect on the growth conditions of muscle tissue, promoting increased strength and efficiency, and positively affect muscle regeneration, allowing faster performance of the next workout.
The l-arginine alpha-ketoglutarate can also accelerate the removal of toxins from the body, which can contribute to the delay of fatigue during physical activity, at the same time, it can lead to increased performance and longer exercise duration. Thus, the AAKG can have a positive effect on achieving the desired training results and accelerating the process of shaping your dream figure. The presence of the amino acid which is the L-arginine in the AAKG means that the dietary supplement can also inhibit the catabolism of muscle proteins and promote the intensification of anabolic processes, and this can positively affect the training adaptation and increase strength and muscle mass.
However, scientific studies on the L-arginine alpha-ketoglutarate are contradictory. Some scientists confirm that the AAKG can contribute to the increase of the muscle pump effect, and the compound can positively affect the strength, endurance and efficiency of the athlete's body, but there are also data, according to which the effect of the AAKG on the synthesis of nitric oxide in the body is not statistically significant, and supplementation with the L-arginine alpha-ketoglutarate has no major impact on performance among physically active people. The opinions of athletes related to the use of the AAKG are generally positive, and the effect of the compound on the human body depends on the individual predispositions of the body, which is why it is always worth convincing yourself personally on your own body, whether a popular dietary supplement can have a beneficial effect on the work of the body or not.
Recommended products with AAKG
AAKG - dosage
The L-arginine alpha-ketoglutarate is a dietary supplement that is most often used by athletes before starting physical activity, so it is recommended that the A-AKG be used 30-60 minutes before training. However, sometimes you can meet the practice of taking the AAKG after exercise, which is to support post-workout regenerative processes occurring in the body. Therefore, the time of using the dietary supplement should be adjusted to the individual expectations of the player and his needs.
The AAKG is a popular preparation that is available in various forms. The L-arginine alpha-ketoglutarate is available in the form of powder, as well as in the form of convenient shots or easy-to-swallow capsules. The choice of the type of the compound used is an individual matter, depending on the preferences of the athlete. It is also difficult to clearly indicate what dose of the product is the recommended portion that can contribute to achieving the desired results. The dosage of the AAKG should be adjusted to the athlete's body, taking into account his body weight, type of physical activity, as well as health parameters and training expectations. The dose of the AAKG most often used by athletes is 4-6 g of the compound per day, but always adjust the portion of the preparation to the needs of the body. It is also important that when choosing the right dose of the AAKG, follow the manufacturer's recommendation placed on the packaging of the dietary supplement and do not lead to overdose, and thus to the occurrence of undesirable ailments associated with inadequate supply of the product.
AAKG or arginine? What to choose?
The basic component of the chemical compound, which is the L-arginine alpha-ketoglutarate, is a relatively exogenous amino acid - the L-arginine, which is a substance that can be naturally formed in the human body, however, its synthesis requires the presence of natural precursors, which are considered proline and glutamic acid. The arginine can have a positive effect on the athlete's body, among others by increasing the production of nitric oxide and maximum oxygen uptake, and can also contribute to lowering the value of blood pressure and improving oxidative metabolism among athletes. So is it sensible to use the AAKG or is it better to reach only for the L-arginine?
The data obtained so far suggest that the combination of arginine and glutaric acid has a positive effect on the bioavailability of the amino acid and increases its absorption in the body, which, in turn, positively affects the effectiveness of supplementation and may contribute to faster achievement of the desired training results. The arginine in the form of the AAKG can be better used by the body, which is why the arginine alpha-ketoglutarate is a form of a compound that enjoys great interest among physically active people, especially among strength or figure sports players.
Read also: Arginine - properties, health-promoting effects and food sources
AAKG or citrulline?
Among the popular pre-workout supplements in addition to the AAKG, you can often also find L-citrulline, an organic chemical compound that is a derivative of ornithine. It is an amino acid naturally synthesized in the human body, which can be supplied to the body also with the daily menu. The citrulline may participate in the production of arginine, and thus may increase the production of nitric oxide and contribute to the angiectatic of blood vessels.
Both the citrulline and the AAKG are compounds used as components of pre-workouts. The available data show that the arginine, which is part of the AAKG, may work slightly faster and at the same time shorter than the citrulline. Therefore, a good solution among athletes using dietary supplements before starting intensive training may be the simultaneous use of the L-citrulline and the AAKG, which can provide working muscles with increased levels of nitric oxide throughout the duration of physical exercise.
AAKG - what to combine with?
The L-arginine alpha-ketoglutarate is a pre-workout dietary supplement that can be successfully used in strength discipline or figure sports. The combination of L-arginine and glutaric acid has a positive effect on the absorption of the amino acid, which may promote the acceleration of achieving the desired effects. What other compounds can help to maximize the possible benefits of using the AAKG?
A good solution may be to include the L-citrulline in supplementation, which, like the L-arginine alpha-ketoglutarate, may increase the synthesis of nitric oxide. In addition, it is also worth considering the simultaneous use of the AAKG and beta-alanine or the combination of the l-arginine alpha ketoglutarate with creatine, which may have a beneficial effect on the body shaping process and contribute to better regeneration of muscle tissue.
AAKG - side effects
The arginine alpha ketoglutarate is considered a safe dietary supplement, which should be taken in moderation, following the manufacturer's guidelines placed on the product packaging. The use of the AAKG in excessive amounts may contribute to the occurrence of undesirable symptoms, such as dizziness, fainting, vomiting or palpitations, and too much of the compound delivered to the body can cause disturbances in blood pressure and reduce the elasticity of blood vessels. Therefore, the dose of the supplement containing the L-arginine alpha-ketoglutarate should always be adjusted to the body weight, training goals and health of the athlete.
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