UNDERSTANDING BIOLOGICAL AGE

When we talk about age, most people think about the number of candles on their birthday cake.

But there's another more important measure: your biological age – how old your body functions, regardless of your chronological age.

This is what truly matters for longevity and quality of life.

I've spent considerable time researching compounds that might help turn back our biological clocks and have been in the longevity field for 10+ years.

One that stands out in both the scientific literature and my personal experience is Alpha-Ketoglutarate (AKG).

WHAT IS AKG, AND HOW IT FUNCTIONS

At its core, AKG is a crucial component of the Krebs cycle (also called the citric acid cycle), which is fundamental to how your cells produce energy. Think of it as the most important gear in your cellular energy processes. When it is working at its best, everything runs smoothly.

The challenge is that AKG levels naturally decline as we age. By some estimates, between our 20s and 80s, your levels will decrease to 10% of what they once were.

This decline may contribute to the cellular energy deficit we experience as we get older, affecting everything from our metabolism to our tissue repair capabilities.

SCIENTIFIC STUDIES ON AKG AND LONGEVITY

The research on AKG is particularly exciting:

• In animal studies, AKG supplementation has extended lifespan by roughly 10-12% and improved overall health during aging.

• Human research, while still emerging, shows promise. One clinical trial with 42 participants demonstrated that AKG supplementation resulted in a younger biological age as measured by epigenetic testing.

• Several ongoing studies are examining AKG's effects on muscle preservation, bone health, and cognitive function during aging.

My personal experience aligns with these findings – my 3.1-year biological age reduction after 9 months of supplementation matches what the science is beginning to demonstrate.

HOW AKG WORKS TO COMBAT AGING

The science points to several key mechanisms:

1. Balancing Cellular Signaling: AKG helps regulate the mTOR pathway, which controls cell growth and protein synthesis. Overactive mTOR accelerates aging, while properly balanced mTOR supports healthy longevity.
   
   
2. Enhancing Energy Pathways: AKG activates AMPK, an enzyme that acts like a cellular energy sensor, helping to optimize metabolism and energy production.
   
   
3. Epigenetic Modifications: AKG influences how your genes are expressed by affecting DNA methylation patterns – essentially helping to maintain a younger genetic expression profile.
   
   

For me, incorporating AKG has been like giving my body a comprehensive tune-up at the cellular level. These mechanisms work together to support overall resilience and function as we age.

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS WITH SCIENTIFIC BACKING

Beyond longevity, research suggests AKG offers several additional benefits:

I should note that while the mechanisms are well-established, we need more human clinical trials to fully validate these benefits. However, the early signs from both research and user experiences like mine are exciting.

THE EVIDENCE IN CONTEXT

It's important to understand where AKG research currently stands:

• Strong evidence: AKG's role in basic cellular metabolism and the Krebs cycle is well-established.

• Growing evidence: Animal studies consistently show lifespan and health-span benefits.

• Emerging evidence: Human studies are limited but promising, with more research underway.

This makes AKG particularly interesting – it has both theoretical and experimental support for its anti-aging effects, with human validation beginning to emerge.

CONCLUSION

The science behind AKG presents a compelling case for its role in healthy aging. From supporting cellular energy production to potentially reversing biological age markers, AKG appears to address several key aspects of the aging process at once.

I've experienced these benefits firsthand, and the research continues to validate what many AKG users have reported. While science is always evolving, the current evidence suggests that AKG could be a valuable addition to anyone's longevity toolkit.Aside from taking care of my diet, exercise regimen, and sleep, it has become a core part of my longevity stack. 

As with any of my longevity supplements, I source as many of them as possible from DoNotAge, as I trust their authenticity, purity and effectiveness. Look for their Ca-AKG product, where AKG is combined with Calcium to improve the rate of absorption - plus that’s the form of AKG that appears to be most effective in the latest studies!