Alpha-Ketoglutarate Benefits: What the Evidence Shows

Quick answer

Alpha-ketoglutarate benefits, in short: Alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG) is a molecule your cells already use to turn food into energy. Ca-AKG is a calcium salt of it, sold as a “longevity” supplement. It gained attention in 2020 when mice given Ca-AKG lived longer, were less frail and spent less of their lives in poor health [1]. In people, we found no randomized trial results yet showing it slows aging. The one human report so far was a small, uncontrolled analysis of a company’s multi-ingredient product [2], and a placebo-controlled trial (the ABLE trial) has only reported on how it recruited, not on whether it works [3]. We rate the evidence E: animal evidence only for aging. Several of the researchers behind the key studies have financial ties to a company that sells Ca-AKG products [1][2][4].

What is alpha-ketoglutarate (Ca-AKG)?

AKG is made in your body and is a step in the Krebs cycle, the chemical pathway cells use to release energy. Levels in the body are reported to change with fasting, exercise and age [1]. Ca-AKG supplements pair AKG with calcium. Whether swallowing it changes AKG levels or biological aging in people is still being tested.

Alpha ketoglutarate benefits: what might it help with?

Possible benefit	Rating	In plain words
Lifespan and frailty	Early (animal or lab only)	Longer, healthier life in mice. No human lifespan data [1]
Biological age (DNA methylation “clocks”)	Early	One uncontrolled analysis of a multi-ingredient product reported lower scores. No placebo group, so it can’t be taken at face value [2]
Other health outcomes	Early	A 2022 review found no recent studies showing a role in treating aging or age-related diseases in people [4]

Ratings describe how good the research is, not a promise that it will work for you.

What the research says

• Mouse study. In a 2020 study, mice given Ca-AKG lived longer and had lower inflammation signals. The authors described a “compression of morbidity”, meaning less time spent frail. Several authors are shareholders in, or inventors for, a company working on AKG products [1]. PubMed
• Human report. In a retrospective analysis of 42 people who had taken Rejuvant, a product containing AKG plus other ingredients, DNA methylation tests suggested a drop of around 8 years in “biological age” after an average of about 7 months. There was no control group, the product has more than one ingredient, and the authors say placebo-controlled testing is needed. Several authors have company ties [2]. PubMed
• Ongoing trial. The ABLE trial plans to test 1 g a day of sustained-release Ca-AKG against placebo for 6 months in 120 adults aged 40 to 60 whose biological age is higher than their chronological age. The 2025 paper describes recruitment only, and no results on effectiveness had been reported in it [3]. PubMed
• Review. A 2022 review said AKG “may” extend healthspan, noted that studies in people are lacking, and that more clinical work is needed. One author holds equity in a company that makes AKG products [4]. PubMed

Amounts and how people take it

These are amounts used in studies, not recommendations.

• Form: capsules or powder of calcium alpha-ketoglutarate. Some products combine it with other ingredients.
• Amounts in trials: the ABLE trial uses 1 g of sustained-release Ca-AKG a day for 6 months [3]. The mouse study used it in the diet, so it can’t be converted into a human dose [1].
• Length: the human trial planned is 6 months [3]. Long-term safety in people is unknown.

Side effects, interactions and who should check first

What trials found

We did not find published safety results from a placebo-controlled human trial of Ca-AKG, so we can’t say what side effects to expect. Ca-AKG also supplies calcium, so factor it in if you already take calcium or vitamin D supplements.

Who should check with a doctor or pharmacist first

Check with a doctor or pharmacist first if you:

• take any regular medicine. We did not find human studies testing Ca-AKG with medicines, so interactions are unknown rather than ruled out
• are pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to conceive, or are under 18. We found no reliable safety data in these groups
• have kidney disease, kidney stones, or a condition affecting calcium levels
• take other calcium supplements.

Where to buy

Look for a label that states the amount of calcium alpha-ketoglutarate per daily serving (for example, the 1 g used in the ABLE trial), evidence of third-party testing, and compare products by price per daily dose rather than pack price. Be wary of products that mix many ingredients and lead with “biological age” claims.

FAQ

What is alpha-ketoglutarate?

Alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG) is a molecule your cells already use to turn food into energy, as a step in the Krebs cycle. Levels are reported to change with fasting, exercise and age [1]. Ca-AKG is a calcium salt of it, sold as a “longevity” supplement. Whether swallowing it changes AKG levels or biological age in people is still being tested.

Does alpha-ketoglutarate slow aging in people?

We found no randomized trial results showing it does. The longer lifespan was seen in mice [1], and the one human report was a small, uncontrolled analysis of a multi-ingredient product with no placebo group [2]. A 2022 review noted that studies in people are lacking [4]. We rate the evidence E.

How much alpha-ketoglutarate per day?

There is no established human dose. The ABLE trial plans to test 1 g a day of sustained-release Ca-AKG against placebo for 6 months in 120 adults aged 40 to 60 [3], but it had reported no results on effectiveness. The mouse study gave it in the diet, so it can’t be converted into a human dose [1]. This is not a recommendation.

Is alpha-ketoglutarate safe?

We didn’t find published safety results from a placebo-controlled human trial, so we can’t say what side effects to expect. Ca-AKG also supplies calcium, so check with a doctor or pharmacist first if you take other calcium supplements, have kidney disease or kidney stones, or take any regular medicine.

Should you take alpha-ketoglutarate with food?

We found no verified information on timing or food, so we can’t give a rule. The planned ABLE trial uses 1 g of sustained-release Ca-AKG a day [3], but the published paper describes recruitment only. Check the product label, and ask a doctor or pharmacist if you take other supplements or medicines.

Related pages

• NMN
• Nicotinamide riboside
• Spermidine
• Longevity supplements for beginners: where this fits in a beginner’s routine
• All supplements A-Z

Talk to your doctor

This page is for general information and is not medical advice. Speak to a doctor or pharmacist before starting any supplement, especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, take any medicine, or have a health condition.

References

We cite only studies and official pages we checked against PubMed, the publisher or the agency’s own site. The A to E evidence grades are explained in our editorial policy. See also our medical disclaimer and affiliate disclosure.

1. Asadi Shahmirzadi A, Edgar D, Liao CY, Hsu YM, et al. Alpha-Ketoglutarate, an Endogenous Metabolite, Extends Lifespan and Compresses Morbidity in Aging Mice. Cell Metab. 2020. PubMed · DOI
2. Demidenko O, Barardo D, Budovskii V, Finnemore R, et al. Rejuvant®, a potential life-extending compound formulation with alpha-ketoglutarate and vitamins, conferred an average 8 year reduction in biological aging, after an average of 7 months of use, in the TruAge DNA methylation test. Aging (Albany NY). 2021. PubMed · DOI
3. Lim ZM, Chew YE, Guan L, Wang W, et al. Recruitment evaluation of a gerotherapeutic randomized controlled trial testing alpha-ketoglutarate in biologically older, middle-aged adults (ABLE). Exp Gerontol. 2025. PubMed · DOI
4. Gyanwali B, Lim ZX, Soh J, Lim C, et al. Alpha-Ketoglutarate dietary supplementation to improve health in humans. Trends Endocrinol Metab. 2022. PubMed · DOI