Glutamine alpha-ketogutarate
Useful mainly for clinical-nutrition contexts (surgical/critically ill) under medical supervision.
Quick decision guide
May help most
clinical-nutrition contexts (surgical/critically ill) under medical supervision
Common dosing range
varies; clinical studies use gram-level doses, often intravenous
When to expect effects
Days in clinical settings
Watch out for
Studied mainly in hospital settings; benefit in healthy people is unproven
What is it
Glutamine alpha-ketoglutarate (G-AKG) is a salt pairing the amino acid glutamine with alpha-ketoglutarate, a Krebs-cycle intermediate. It is used in clinical nutrition to supply glutamine and supply carbon/nitrogen substrate, mainly studied in surgical, critically ill, or parenterally fed patients. Consumer use is marketed for muscle and recovery, but evidence in healthy people is sparse.
Is it worth it for you?
Use this as a quick fit check, not a diagnosis.
Worth considering if…
Probably skip if…
Evidence at a glance
| Goal | Effect | Best fit | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
nitrogen balance in surgical or critically ill patients Limited Evidence | Improved nitrogen balance in some studies | post-surgical or critically ill patients receiving nutrition support | Days |
nitrogen balance in surgical or critically ill patients
- Effect
- Improved nitrogen balance in some studies
- Best fit
- post-surgical or critically ill patients receiving nutrition support
- Time
- Days
Evidence for 1 use
AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.
nitrogen balance in surgical or critically ill patients
Biomarker supportSmall clinical-nutrition studies, often using parenteral glutamine alpha-ketoglutarate, report improved nitrogen balance and glutamine status in surgical or critically ill patients. Evidence is limited, heterogeneous, and centered on metabolic biomarkers rather than clear clinical outcomes, and does not extend to healthy users.
Bottom line: Some biomarker support in clinical nutrition settings, with little relevance to healthy consumers.
How to take it
What to track
Safety
Know the common side effects, key cautions, and who should avoid it.
Common side effects
Who should avoid it
- people with significant kidney or liver impairment unless supervised
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
No adequate safety data; avoid outside medical supervision.
Choosing a product
What to look for on the label — and what to be skeptical of.
Look for…
Be skeptical of…
References by claim
Track Glutamine alpha-ketogutarate with Pilora
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Coming to App StoreDisclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.