AKG or alpha-ketoglutarate is one of the most popular supplements used today. It is used for a variety of reasons, but primarily for bodybuilding and exercising.
Other than that, it is used for a plethora of different purposes. This includes treating kidney diseases, maintaining heart health, and as an anti-aging agent. However, more research is required to back up these uses.
In certain cases, AKG is given intravenously to prevent heart injury caused by blood flow problems due to heart surgery as well as to prevent muscle breakdown.
What is an AKG Supplement?
AKG is a contraction for alpha-ketoglutarate. It is a chemical that is naturally produced in the human body. It works through many pathways in the human body and helps in muscle growth and healing of wounds.
AKG production in the body improves protein synthesis and bone tissue formation. Moreover, it prevents the buildup of lactic acid, which can ward off many issues.
Alpha-ketoglutarate is a popular dietary supplement among bodybuilders and athletes. It improves the functioning of the heart and kidneys and is found useful for treating CKD (chronic kidney disease). Due to the many uses of AKG, there are many alpha-ketoglutarate supplements available on the market.
Why Do You Need the Best AKG Supplement?
There are several reasons why alpha-ketoglutarate is used. This ranges from treating chronic kidney disease and preventing kidney stones to improving muscle performance. Following are some of the top reasons to use the best AKG supplement:
● As an Anti-Aging Solution
Though the use of AKG as an anti-aging agent needs to be backed by extensive research studies, it is popular among the masses as a potential anti-aging supplement.
Some small research studies suggest that alpha-ketoglutarate helps cells to retain their self-healing ability, which normally degrades over time.
● Improving Muscle Performance
Muscle burnout is a common issue that many athletes and gymers have to face. Following a strict workout plan can get you muscle burnout. For addressing this issue, there are several solutions available, and one of them is alpha-ketoglutarate.
The primary reason why muscle cramps happen is due to the formation of lactic acid in the muscles. As AKG prevents the buildup of lactic acid, it allows people to continue intense workouts for a longer time. It also reduces the chances of having muscle crampings.
● Protecting the Heart During Surgery
One of the most popular, research-backed uses of alpha-ketoglutarate is to ensure the safety of the heart during heart surgery. AKG protects the heart from being damaged due to inconsistent blood flow that might be caused due to heart surgery or trauma.
● Treating CKD and Preventing Kidney Stone Formation
Kidneys are among the vital organs of humans. They are responsible for filtering harmful and waste products from the body. AKG is widely used for treating chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the form of calcium alpha-ketoglutarate.
Moreover, it can also help to prevent the formation of stones in the kidneys. This is due to the fact that lactic acid buildup is responsible for forming kidney stones, and as discussed previously, alpha-ketoglutarate helps to prevent lactic acid buildup.
● Other Uses
In addition to the uses mentioned above, alpha-ketoglutarate is used for:
- Improving bone health.
- Treating intestinal and stomach disorders.
- Treating bacterial and yeast infections.
- Improving lung health.
- Dealing with painful conditions caused by overuse of tendons.
However, note that these uses lack enough medical evidence to be officially supported. Therefore, consult a physician before using AKG for any of these reasons.
Conclusion
Alpha-ketoglutarate is among the most popular supplements of modern times. Although its use as a muscle health enhancer and treating CKD is widespread, it also finds use as an anti-aging agent, addressing tendinopathy, and so on. However, much research is still required to establish these uses conclusively.
