AAKG supplement dosage, safety, risks, side effects and benefits by Ray Sahelian, M.D. How to use these natural pills

AAKG contains arginine, a conditionally essential amino acid that has a number of vital roles in human biochemistry. Arginine plays a pivotal role in the urea cycle, helping to rid the body of excess ammonia. This amino acid is also important in protein synthesis as well as for the support of healthy immune function. AAKG has arginine with alpha-ketoglutarate, another key player in amino acid metabolism, as well as in energy production.

Now Foods buy AAKG 3500, 180 Tablets

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NOW Foods AAKG dosage
3500 mg per 3 tablets
Vegetarian Formula
A Dietary Supplement
L-Arginine-alpha-ketoglutarate 3.5 g (3,500 mg)

NOW AAKG has paired arginine with alpha-ketoglutarate, another key player in amino acid metabolism, as well as in energy production. Consumers will find that NOW AAKG compares favorably to similar products on the market, but with the additional benefit of a 3500 mg dose and value pricing.

Suggested Use: As a dietary supplement, take 2 or 3 tablets once or twice daily on an empty stomach, preferably in the morning and one hour before workouts. Not recommended for continuous, high-level use for more than 60 days.

What is the differences in L-Arginine Alpha-Keto Glutarate 1:1 and 2:1?
    AAKG 2:1 consists of two parts-L-Arginine and one part Alpha Keto Glutarate acid, and AAKG 1:1 consists of one part L-Arginine and one part Alpha Keto Glutarate acid. There probably is little difference in these two forms in terms of their physiological effect.

Physical and athletic performance influence
Creatine, arginine alpha-ketoglutarate, amino acids, and medium-chain triglycerides and endurance and performance.
Int J Sport Nutrition Exercise Metab. 2008.
This study compared a commercial dietary supplement of creatine, AAKG, glutamine, taurine, branched-chain amino acids, and medium-chain triglycerides with creatine alone or placebo on exercise performance and body composition. Thirty-five young men were randomized to Creatine + AAKG, Creatine, or placebo for 10 days. Body composition, muscle endurance (bench press), and peak and average power were measured before and after supplementation. Creatine alone and in combination with AAKG improves upper body muscle endurance, and creatine + AAKG supplementation improves peak power output.

Pharmacokinetics, safety, and effects on exercise performance of L-arginine alpha-ketoglutarate AAKG in trained adult men.
Nutrition. 2006. Exercise and Sport Nutrition Laboratory at the Center for Exercise, Nutrition, and Preventative Health Research, Department of Health, Human Performance, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA.
Healthy middle aged men fasted for 8 hours and then ingested 4 grams of time-released or non-timed-released l-arginine alpha-ketoglutarate. After 1 wk the alternative supplement was ingested. In study 2, resistance-trained adult men were randomly assigned to ingest 4 g of AAKG (three times a day) or placebo. Participants performed 4 d of periodized resistance training per week for 8 wk. The following tests were performed: clinical blood markers, one repetition maximum bench press, isokinetic quadriceps muscle endurance, anaerobic power, aerobic capacity, total body water, body composition, and psychometric parameters tests. In study 1, significant differences were observed in plasma arginine levels in subjects taking non-timed-release and timed-release AAKG. In study 2, significant differences were observed in the AAKG group for 1RM bench press, Wingate peak power, and plasma arginine. No significant differences were observed between groups in body composition, total body water, isokinetic quadriceps muscle endurance, or aerobic capacity. Supplementation appeared to be safe and well tolerated, and positively influenced 1RM bench press and Wingate peak power performance. It did not influence body composition or aerobic capacity.

I have read information from different websites. One site says, "Dramatically Increases Nitric Oxide Production For Increased Muscle Pump! AAKG is arginine alpha-ketoglutarate in a sustained release formula which is pH buffered to ensure maximum absorption. Arginine released into the bloodstream will dramatically increase nitric oxide production. An increase in nitric oxide may lead to the following benefits: extended and enhanced "muscle pump" after training, improved endurance and recovery time, improved workout capacity, and increased sexual vigor." Is this statement true?
    A review of Medline revealed two human studies with AAKG supplements and the results appear promising, I await results of a couple of more studies to have a better idea of the benefits and side effects.

Asthma
Email - I had chronic bronchial asthma caused by histamine, because I'm allergic to the same substance. Bodybuilding train, and takes some supplements, but noticed a significant improvement when I take arginine alpha-ketoglutarate.

Immune system effect
Does an increase in NO in the body product damaging free radicals if one takes AAKG. I have taken this supplement before and if too much is taken by me I get a cold sore.
   It's difficult to say since I have not seen research regarding its influence on the immune system.

Safety, risks, side effects, danger
AAKG side effects have been reported as case studies in medical journals.

Adverse effects associated with arginine alpha-ketoglutarate containing supplements.
Hum Exp Toxicol. 2009; Department of Emergency Medicine, New York City Poison Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York. "A 33-year-old man presented with palpitations, dizziness, vomiting, and syncope, after the use of NO(2) platinum. A 21-year-old man with palpitations and near syncope had used a "nitric oxide" supplement. He was tachycardic to 115 bpm with otherwise normal examination. Laboratory values including methemoglobin, and ECG were unremarkable. A 24-year-old man presented after taking NO-Xplode with palpitations and a headache. His examination, laboratory values, and ECG were normal. He was discharged. The purported active ingredient in these products is arginine alpha-ketoglutarate. The symptoms could be due to vasodilation from increased levels of NO, though other etiologies cannot be excluded. AAKG containing supplements may be associated with adverse effects requiring hospital admission."
   Note by Dr. Sahelian: One should not attribute these reactions solely to AAKG since many of these products contain a number of other ingredients. For instance, NO-Xplode has Vitamin B-6 (as pyridoxine HCl) 25 mg Vitamin B-12 (as Cyanocobalamin) 120 mcg Folic Acid 400 mcg  Magnesium 360mg Phosphorus 500 mg Calcium 75 mg NO-XPLODE's Proprietary Blend 20.50 g NO Meta-Fusion Ener-Tropic Xplosion Taurine Glucuronolactone MCT Oil (Medium Chain Triglycerides) L-tyrosine AKG Methylxanthines (caffeine) Vincamine Vinburnine (whole plant) L-Tyrosine Common Periwinkle Vinpocetine Phospho-Electrolyte Replacers Di-Calcium Phosphate Di-Sodium Phosphate Di-Potassium Phosphate Glycerol Hydrating Polymers Glyceryl Stearate Magnesium Glycerol Phosphate Potassium Glycerol Phosphate AVPT (Advanced Volumizing & Performance Technology) Sodium Bicarbonate Cinnulin PF (Aqueous Cinnamon Extract) Glycocyamine Trimethylglycine Di-Creatine Malate Modified Glucose Polymer (Maltodextrin) RC-NOS (Rutaecarpine 95%) Sodium Creatine Phosphate Matrix Creatine Ethyl Ester-Beta-Alanine Dual Action Composite (CarnoSyn) Creatinol-O-phosphate-Malic Acid Interfusion  Creatine AAB (Creatine Alpha-Amino-N-Butyrate)  Guanidino Propionic Acid  and Ketoisocaproate Potassium.