Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate
Also known as: AAKG, L-arginine α-ketoglutarate
Oral AAKG reliably increases plasma L-arginine in the short term, but randomized trials provide mixed results for performance. One 8-week trial reported improvements in 1‑RM bench press and Wingate peak power with 12 g/day AAKG, whereas several acute and short-term studies found no benefit for local muscular endurance, brachial blood flow or nitric oxide metabolites beyond exercise-induced changes. Trials combining AAKG with other supplements complicate attribution of effects.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-14 · 6 indexed studies
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Overview
Arginine alpha-ketoglutarate (AAKG) is a salt of the amino acid L-arginine and alpha-ketoglutarate marketed as a pre-workout supplement to raise plasma arginine and nitric oxide and thereby improve performance. Human trials show inconsistent effects on strength and power and generally no benefit for muscle endurance or blood-flow measures after resistance exercise.
Mechanism & Function
Mechanism of Action
AAKG provides L-arginine, a substrate for nitric oxide synthase, and may raise circulating arginine levels, potentially increasing nitric oxide production and vasodilation. Clinical trials show increased plasma arginine but do not consistently demonstrate increased systemic NO-related blood‑flow measures above exercise effects.
Physiological Role
L-arginine is a semi‑essential amino acid involved in nitric oxide synthesis, urea cycle and protein metabolism. Alpha‑ketoglutarate participates in the Krebs cycle and amino acid transamination reactions.
Primary Pathways
Performance / Health Relevance
The putative ergogenic relevance is via increased NO-mediated vasodilation and possibly enhanced substrate delivery to muscle, which could support strength, power or endurance. Human trial results are inconsistent, with limited evidence for meaningful performance improvements.
Evidence Review
No meta-analyses or systematic reviews indexed for this ingredient yet.
Dimensions marked N/A have no indexed evidence of that class. They are shown as unavailable rather than scored.
Practical Use & Dosage
- Minimum Effective Dose
- Not established from consistent evidence; positive findings reported with 12 g/day in one trial.
- Optimal Range
- Not established.
- Upper / Caution Level
- Not established; studies have used up to 12 g/day for weeks without serious adverse events reported in the abstracts.
- Timing
- Often dosed acutely pre-exercise or divided doses (e.g. 4 g three times daily in trials).
- Best Format
- Oral powder or capsule containing AAKG.
- Bioavailability
- AAKG increases plasma L-arginine acutely compared with placebo in short-term pharmacokinetic studies.
- Absorption Considerations
- Different formulations (timed-release versus non-timed) alter plasma arginine time-course.
Safety & Interactions
Side Effects
- •Gastrointestinal discomfort reported anecdotally in some studies (not consistently reported in abstracts)
Drug Interactions
- •Potential interactions with drugs affecting nitric oxide/pathways (the abstracts do not report specific interactions)
Who Should Avoid
- •People on nitrate/nitric-oxide donors or medications affecting blood pressure should consult a clinician; pregnant or breastfeeding women due to lack of data.
Monitoring
Monitor blood pressure and any gastrointestinal symptoms if used at high doses; clinical blood markers were evaluated in some trials without major abnormalities reported in abstracts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Auto-generated from indexed evidence — dosage, safety, interactions, and more.
When is Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate typically used or indicated?
Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate is most commonly used for: Pre-workout vasodilation / nitric oxide support, Improve strength or power, Enhance muscular endurance. L-arginine is a semi‑essential amino acid involved in nitric oxide synthesis, urea cycle and protein metabolism. Alpha‑ketoglutarate participates in the Krebs cycle and amino acid transamination reactions.
How does Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate work?
AAKG provides L-arginine, a substrate for nitric oxide synthase, and may raise circulating arginine levels, potentially increasing nitric oxide production and vasodilation. Clinical trials show increased plasma arginine but do not consistently demonstrate increased systemic NO-related blood‑flow measures above exercise effects.
What is the recommended dose of Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate?
The optimal range is Not established.. with a minimum effective dose of Not established from consistent evidence; positive findings reported with 12 g/day in one trial.. Best taken: Often dosed acutely pre-exercise or divided doses (e.g. 4 g three times daily in trials).. Upper / caution level: Not established; studies have used up to 12 g/day for weeks without serious adverse events reported in the abstracts..
What are the side effects of Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate?
Reported side effects include: Gastrointestinal discomfort reported anecdotally in some studies (not consistently reported in abstracts). Monitoring: Monitor blood pressure and any gastrointestinal symptoms if used at high doses; clinical blood markers were evaluated in some trials without major abnormalities reported in abstracts.
Does Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate interact with medications?
Known or theoretical interactions: Potential interactions with drugs affecting nitric oxide/pathways (the abstracts do not report specific interactions). Always check with a clinician before combining with prescription medication.
Who should avoid Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate?
Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate is generally not recommended for: People on nitrate/nitric-oxide donors or medications affecting blood pressure should consult a clinician; pregnant or breastfeeding women due to lack of data..
How strong is the evidence for Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate?
Evidence level: Moderate (overall score 59/100), based on 6 indexed studies on SuppIndex.
Research & References (6)
Acute arginine supplementation fails to improve muscle endurance or affect blood pressure responses to resistance training.
Acute AAKG (3,700 mg per serving given twice: 4 hours and 30 minutes before exercise) was tested in 12 trained men for local muscle endurance (chin-ups, reverse chin-ups, push-ups) and BP response to resistance exercise.
Pharmacokinetics, safety, and effects on exercise performance of L-arginine alpha-ketoglutarate in trained adult men.
Two-part study: pharmacokinetics and an 8-week randomized, placebo-controlled trial in resistance-trained men. Study 2 used 4 g AAKG three times daily (12 g/day) for 8 weeks and measured strength, power, body composition and other outcomes.
Effects of Co-Ingestion of β-Hydroxy-β-Methylbutyrate and L-Arginine α-Ketoglutarate on Jump Performance in Young Track and Field Athletes.
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 12-day trial in adolescent middle-distance runners testing co‑supplementation of HMB and AAKG versus placebo on countermovement jump (CMJ) and muscle damage markers.
Effects of 7 days of arginine-alpha-ketoglutarate supplementation on blood flow, plasma L-arginine, nitric oxide metabolites, and asymmetric dimethyl arginine after resistance exercise.
24 active men took 12 g/day AAKG or placebo for 7 days. Hemodynamics, brachial artery blood flow, plasma L-arginine, NOx and ADMA were measured before and after a resistance-exercise bout.
Effects of ingesting a pre-workout dietary supplement with and without synephrine for 8 weeks on training adaptations in resistance-trained males.
An 8-week randomized, double-blind trial in 80 resistance-trained men testing a multi-ingredient pre-workout supplement that included AAKG (2 g in the formula) versus placebo, with and without synephrine, on training adaptations.
Pharmacokinetics, safety, and effects on exercise performance of L-arginine alpha-ketoglutarate in trained adult men.
Pharmacokinetic portion: single 4 g dose (timed-release or non-timed) in 10 men showed differing plasma arginine time-courses between formulations.
Related Ingredients
Other top-rated ingredients in Ergogenic Compounds.
Creatine Monohydrate
94/100A naturally occurring nitrogenous organic acid that facilitates recycling of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in muscle and brain tissue via the phosphocreatine shuttle.
Maltodextrin
78/100Short-chain α-1,4 linked glucose polymer that is rapidly hydrolysed by brush-border maltase to glucose; near-equivalent glycaemic response to glucose but lower osmolality at concentration.
Cyclic Dextrin (HBCD)
72/100Produced via cyclic-glucanotransferase action on amylopectin, HBCD forms cluster-like macromolecules ~160 kDa that solubilise at low osmolality (≈4 mOsm/L) and clear the stomach faster than maltodextrin or glucose polymers.
Research Overview
Moderate EvidenceCite this ingredient
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Stable URL
https://thesuppindex.com/ingredients/arginine-alpha-ketoglutarate
SuppIndex. (2026). Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate: Evidence summary, dosage and clinical studies. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://thesuppindex.com/ingredients/arginine-alpha-ketoglutarate
Based on 6 indexed studies · Evidence level: Moderate.
Goal Ratings
Stack Compatibility
Often included in multi-ingredient pre-workout formulas; effects in combined-product trials cannot be attributed solely to AAKG.