Ornithine ketoglutarate
At a glance
- Best for
- hospitalized or malnourished patients recovering from burns, trauma, or surgery
- Typical dose
- 5-10 g/day (clinical settings have used up to ~20-30 g/day enterally)
- Time to effect
- Weeks
- Main caution
- most evidence is in clinical nutrition settings, not healthy users or athletes
What is it
Ornithine ketoglutarate (OKG) is a salt formed from two molecules of the amino acid ornithine and one of alpha-ketoglutarate. It is used mainly in clinical nutrition to support recovery in catabolic states such as burns, surgery, and malnutrition. It is thought to act as a precursor for glutamine, arginine, and polyamines and to stimulate anabolic hormones.
Is it worth it for you?
Worth considering if…
- you are recovering from major burns, trauma, or surgery under clinical supervision
- you are an older malnourished adult needing nutritional support
- a clinician is overseeing nutritional recovery
Probably skip if…
- you are a healthy person seeking muscle gain or performance
- you expect benefits proven only in hospitalized catabolic patients
- you want a substitute for adequate overall protein and calories
Evidence at a glance
| Goal | Evidence | Effect | Best fit | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| recovery in burns and trauma | Limited Evidence | Modest improvements in wound healing and nitrogen balance | severely burned or post-trauma patients in clinical nutrition programs | Weeks |
Evidence for 1 use
AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.
recovery in burns and trauma
Disease adjunctIn clinical-nutrition studies of burn patients, enteral OKG has been associated with improved wound healing, better nitrogen balance, and reduced muscle protein breakdown. Trials are relatively small and conducted in supervised hospital settings, limiting generalizability. The proposed mechanism is provision of glutamine and arginine precursors that support tissue repair.
Bottom line: OKG may aid wound healing and reduce catabolism in burn and trauma patients, based on limited clinical-nutrition trials.
How to take it
- Typical dose
- 5-10 g/day for general nutritional support
- Higher studied dose
- up to ~20-30 g/day has been used enterally in burn and malnutrition studies
- Timing
- with meals or as part of enteral feeding
- With food
- with food
- How long to try
- weeks, typically under clinical guidance
What to track
- wound healing progress
- appetite and food intake
- lean body mass / weight
- functional recovery
Safety
Common side effects
mild gastrointestinal upset
Who should avoid it
- people with significant kidney impairment unless supervised
- people with urea cycle disorders
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
Insufficient data in pregnancy; not recommended without medical supervision.
Choosing a product
Look for
- clearly states ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate content
- pharmaceutical/clinical-nutrition grade
- no proprietary blends hiding the dose
Be skeptical of
- dramatic muscle growth in healthy people
- growth-hormone 'boosting' for bodybuilding
- anti-aging cures
References by claim
Track Ornithine ketoglutarate 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.