What Is AKG, and What Are Its Benefits?

QUICK TAKEAWAYS

AKG is a natural compound that powers your cells but declines with age

By age 80, your AKG levels drop to just 10% of what they were at 40

Supplementation can reduce biological age by 2+ years

Recommended dose: 1-2g daily with breakfast
Biological age measures how old your body functions (not just how old you are)
AKG is a crucial component of cellular energy production
AKG levels decline up to 10-fold between our 20s and 80s
Scientific studies show a 10-12% lifespan extension in animals
My testing showed a 3.1-year biological age reduction after 9 months

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

Alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG) is a natural compound produced in your body. It plays a crucial role in your cellular energy production as part of the Krebs cycle – essentially, it helps power every cell in your body.

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.

Here's the catch: as we age, our natural AKG levels decline dramatically. Research shows that by age 80, your AKG levels are just 10% of what they were at age 40!

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.

The good news is supplementing with AKG can help replenish these declining levels, potentially turning back your body's biological clock.

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.

HOW AKG WORKS TO COMBAT AGING

The science points to several key mechanisms:

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.
Enhancing Energy Pathways: AKG activates AMPK, an enzyme that acts like a cellular energy sensor, helping to optimize metabolism and energy production.
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.

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.

Beyond longevity, research suggests AKG offers several additional benefits:

Benefit	Scientific Evidience
Healthier Skin	Supports collagen synthesis, potentially reducing wrinkles
Muscle Preservation	Helps maintain muscle mass by improving protein synthesis
Bone Health	It may help maintain bone density and strength
Cellular Detox	Assists in removing cellular waste through autophagy

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.

MY PERSONAL AKG JOURNEY

My interest in AKG was sparked after seeing a 2021 study in the journal Aging that found AKG improved the biological age of 40 out of 42 participants. I decided to conduct my own self-experiment:

Started with 1.2 grams of Calcium-AKG (Ca-AKG) daily (3 DoNotAge capsules with breakfast)

After 3 months, increased to 2 grams daily (5 capsules)

Measured my biological age before and after

The results? After 9 months, my biological age dropped by 2 years relative to my chronological age!

KEY BENEFITS OF AKG

This wasn't just a number on a test – I noticed improved energy, better recovery after workouts, and a general feeling of vitality that had been gradually diminishing.

Benefits	How AKG Helps
Muscle Growth	Supports protein synthesis and recovery
Skin Health	Promotes collagen production
Bone Strength	Helps maintain density and mineral balance
Immune Function	Supports healthy immune responses
Detoxification	Assists in removing cellular waste
Biological Age	Reduces age markers by 2+ years
Energy Production	Supports mitochondrial function
Wound Healing	Improves recovery time after injury

HOW AKG WORKS IN YOUR BODY

AKG operates through multiple mechanisms to combat aging:

Inhibits mTOR (regulates cellular aging)

Modulates DNA methylation (affects gene expression)

Reduces ROS formation (combats oxidative stress)

I see it as giving your body a comprehensive tune-up at the cellular level. We're simply restoring levels that diminish with age. And unlike many supplements, AKG cannot be effectively increased through diet alone (or I would have tried to do this).

HOW TO INCORPORATE AKG

Getting started with Ca-AKG is straightforward:

Start with 1-2x DoNotAge Ca-AKG capsules per day
Take with breakfast for best absorption
After 3 months, consider increasing to 3-4x capsules if needed
Be consistent – daily supplementation works best

I personally source as many of my supplements from DoNotAge because I trust their quality standards and third-party testing.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How soon might I notice results?

Many users report increased energy within weeks. More dramatic results like improved recovery and skin appearance typically emerge over 3-6 months.

Who benefits most from AKG?

Anyone over 35 concerned about aging, athletes looking for better recovery, and those interested in preventative health.

Are there side effects?

Ca-AKG is Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS). Some users report mild digestive discomfort when starting, which typically resolves by taking with food.

How is AKG different from AAKG?

AKG is pure Alpha-Ketoglutarate, while AAKG combines Arginine with AKG. For anti-aging benefits, pure AKG or Ca-AKG is preferred.

THE BOTTOM LINE

AKG could be your key to feeling younger and stronger – I've experienced how these small steps can lead to significant improvements in how I feel daily. While it's not a magic pill, it's one of the most promising supplements I've incorporated into my longevity protocol.

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!

Note: AKG is generally safe at 1-2g/day, but check with your doctor—research is still growing. Individual results may vary.

What Is AKG, and What Are Its Benefits?

What Is AKG, and What Are Its Benefits?