---
title: "Alpha-Ketoglutarate dietary supplementation to improve health in…"
description: "Alpha-ketoglutarate shows promise in animal studies for healthspan extension, but more recent human research is needed to confirm its benefits for aging…"
url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/akg_human.md"
canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/akg_human.html"
html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/akg_human.html"
type: "study"
study_key: "akg_human"
journal: "Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism"
year: 2021
pmid: "34952764"
doi: "10.1016/j.tem.2021.11.003"
citations: 1
updated: 2026-09-02
author: "Gabriel Radu, DO"
author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765."
publisher: "Magellan Longevity"
content_format: "markdown"
---

# Alpha-Ketoglutarate dietary supplementation to improve health in humans

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**HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/akg_human.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/akg_human

## Citation

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Journal | Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism |
| Year | 2021 |
| PMID | [34952764](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34952764/) |
| DOI | [10.1016/j.tem.2021.11.003](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tem.2021.11.003) |
| Study key | akg_human |

## Takeaway

Alpha-ketoglutarate shows promise in animal studies for healthspan extension, but more recent human research is needed to confirm its benefits for aging and age-related diseases.

## The question

Can alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG) dietary supplementation improve health and treat age-related diseases in humans?

## Hypothesis

The pleiotropic functions of AKG, including its roles as an antioxidant and in metabolic, epigenetic, and immune regulation, suggest it may extend human healthspan and treat age-related diseases.

## Methods

This is a review article discussing the regulatory role of AKG in aging and its potential therapeutic use in humans. It references past studies in worms, mice, and a few human studies from the 1980s and 1990s.

## Results

Recent studies in worms and mice support the concept that AKG may extend healthspan. Older human studies suggested potential benefits of AKG in muscle growth, wound healing, and faster post-surgery recovery. However, there are no recently published human studies demonstrating AKG's role in treating aging and age-related diseases.

## Conclusion

While AKG shows promise in animal models and older human studies suggested some benefits, further clinical studies are required to better understand its role in treating aging and age-related diseases in humans.

## Limitations

There is a lack of recently published human studies demonstrating the role of AKG in treating aging and age-related diseases.

## Verbatim from the abstract

> As an antioxidant, AKG interferes in nitrogen and ammonia balance, and affects epigenetic and immune regulation — pleiotropic functions relevant to healthy aging.

## Where this study is used on Magellan

This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions.

| Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Calcium Alpha-Ketoglutarate (Ca-AKG) | — | — |
| All-in-One Longevity Formulation | Emerging evidence | [NOVOS Core All-In-One Sachets](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/12.md) |

## Reference

1. **Alpha-Ketoglutarate dietary supplementation to improve health in humans**
   Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism 2021 · [PMID 34952764](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34952764/) · [DOI 10.1016/j.tem.2021.11.003](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tem.2021.11.003)

   > As an antioxidant, AKG interferes in nitrogen and ammonia balance, and affects epigenetic and immune regulation — pleiotropic functions relevant to healthy aging.

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## Related on Magellan Longevity

- [NOVOS Core All-In-One Sachets](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/12.md) — product graded on this and related evidence
- [Krebs cycle intermediates regulate DNA and histone methylation: epigenetic impact on the…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/akg_krebs.md)
- [Rejuvant, a potential life-extending compound formulation with alpha-ketoglutarate and…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x4.md)
- [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html)
- [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md)

## Scope and disclosures

Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication.

Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases.

Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).