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AKG Medical Term: What Alpha-Ketoglutarate Is and Is Not
On a supplement label, AKG stands for alpha-ketoglutarate, a compound in the cell's Krebs energy cycle. Worm and mouse studies suggest it may extend healthspan, but human evidence is limited and old. The VapoCept panel lists L-arginine AKG 2:1 extract at 200 mg, and no cited study tested it for thinking.
Written by the VapoCept label deskUpdated · 4 min read
The abbreviation01
What does AKG mean on a supplement label?
AKG is short for alpha-ketoglutarate, a compound the body's cells use in the Krebs cycle, their energy chemistry (Gyanwali 2022, Alpha-ketoglutarate supplementation review).
The same letters can stand for other things in other settings. This post covers only the supplement-label meaning. On the VapoCept panel, the line reads L-Arginine AKG 2:1 Extract, which pairs arginine with alpha-ketoglutarate. The files we have do not explain what 2:1 means.
The evidence02
What does the human evidence on AKG show?
Very little, and most of it is old.
A review says worm and mouse studies suggest AKG may extend healthspan, while human studies are limited and date from the 1980s and 1990s (Gyanwali 2022, Alpha-ketoglutarate supplementation review). Its abstract states that no recent published study shows AKG treats aging, and it calls for clinical trials.
| Type | What exists | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Worms and mice | Signs of longer healthspan | Not shown in people |
| Older human work | Muscle, wound healing, recovery after surgery | Limited and dated |
| Recent aging trials | None found by the review | Unknown |
| Memory or focus | No cited study | No claim made here |
Energy and clarity03
Does AKG add energy or mental clarity?
No cited source says it does.
Being part of the cell's energy cycle is a normal job, not a result you can feel from a capsule. The arginine half follows the proposed nitric oxide route, which is studied in grams a day for blood pressure (Dong 2011, Oral L-arginine and blood pressure meta-analysis). Read the L-arginine page for the cautions.
VapoCept: 30 capsules, 30-day bottleOne capsule a day · 2, 3 or 6 bottles · $49 to $79 a bottle per the brand information, confirm at checkout
See packsOn the panel04
How is AKG listed on the VapoCept panel?
As one of seven lines, 200 mg, next to a separate 200 mg of L-arginine (base).
We do not add the two lines, because the files do not say how much of the AKG line is arginine. Check your bottle, and see the supplement facts page. If you choose to try it, the packs are below.
- 1Niacin7.5 mg NE · Vitamin and mineral
- 2Calcium (as Calcium Carbonate)18 mg · Vitamin and mineral
- 3L-Arginine (base)200 mg · Arginine and citrulline family
- 4L-Arginine AKG 2:1 Extract200 mg · Arginine and citrulline family
- 5L-Citrulline HCl100 mg · Arginine and citrulline family
- 6L-Citrulline Malate100 mg · Arginine and citrulline family
- 7Beta-Alanine40 mg · Beta-alanine
From the brand information, in the brand's order, as listed in the brand's panel (the label image was not supplied; check your bottle). Other ingredients carry no amount here: that line is a fill-in slot.
90-day supply
3 bottles: 90 days
$69a bottle · $207 for 3 · per the brand information
Ships from the U.S. · 60-day guarantee per the sales page
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180-day supply
6 bottles: 180 days
$49a bottle · $294 for 6 · per the brand information
Ships from the U.S. · 60-day guarantee per the sales page
Order 6 bottlesPrices follow the brand information; confirm the live price at checkout. A 2-bottle pack is also offered. Check your medicines with your doctor or pharmacist before you order.
FAQ05
VapoCept questions people ask
What does AKG stand for in supplements?
AKG stands for alpha-ketoglutarate, a compound cells use in the Krebs cycle. In a name such as arginine AKG, it means arginine paired with that compound. The VapoCept panel lists L-arginine AKG 2:1 extract at 200 mg, as listed in the brand's panel.
Does AKG slow aging in people?
No. A review of the evidence says worm and mouse studies are suggestive but no recent published study shows AKG treats aging in people. Human evidence is limited and old, and the authors call for clinical trials.
Is arginine AKG the same as plain arginine?
They are related, but not identical. Arginine AKG pairs arginine with alpha-ketoglutarate. Few studies cover that pairing, so the arginine safety cautions apply as a precaution. The share of the 200 mg line that is arginine is not stated in the files we have.
Sources (2)
- Effect of oral L-arginine supplementation on blood pressure: a meta-analysis of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trialsDong JY, et al. American Heart Journal 2011;162(6):959-965 (authors from general knowledge; the fetched page showed only the title, journal and results), 2011
- Alpha-Ketoglutarate dietary supplementation to improve health in humansGyanwali B, Lim ZX, Soh J, et al. Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism 2022;33(2):136-146 (abstract via Amsterdam UMC repository), 2022
Who wrote this06
Written and reviewed by
Pages built from the brand information, the brand's images and linked NIH, FDA, FTC and peer-reviewed sources.
Last updated . Read our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is the information site of Vapocepts, the U.S. stocking partner for VapoCept. It is not the manufacturer and it is not the sales page. We earn money when you buy through our order links.
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