Cracking bones can be a nuisance for people suffering from osteoporosis. There are several medical supplements that are aggressively marketed to prevent this ailment and strengthen bone mineral density.
However, most of these supplements are full of lies; this is where calcium AKG supplements stand apart. A naturally occurring compound in the body, this supplement is proven to combat decreasing mineral density.
Moreover, there are other health benefits that calcium AKG possesses; however, many people are unaware of these benefits. Therefore, this comprehensive guide is going to explore five surprising benefits of calcium AKG supplements that you need to know.
What is the Calcium AKG Supplement?
Alpha-ketoglutarate is a naturally occurring compound that helps the body build muscle and mend wounds. It is also used as medication. The compound appears to assist the body in repairing muscle and preventing muscle loss following surgery or trauma. It may potentially have anti-aging properties.
People utilize calcium AKG supplement to treat chronic renal disease. It is also claimed to treat aging, aged skin, sports performance, liver illness, post-surgical problems, and other diseases; however, most of these claims lack scientific basis.
Benefits of Calcium Alpha-Ketoglutarate
Several health benefits of calcium alpha-ketoglutarate help in different bodily functions. Some of these benefits include:
1. Calcium Alpha-ketoglutarate has Epigenetic Effects
The epigenome is the complicated molecular machinery that surrounds DNA and controls which genes are turned on or off.
As people age, their epigenome gets more dysregulated: certain genes that should be quiet are activated, while others that should be active (such as cancer-protective genes) are turned off. Epigenetic dysregulation is one of the leading causes of aging.
TET is an essential epigenetic regulator. This enzyme can reprogram the epigenome to a more youthful form. Calcium alpha-ketoglutarate aids TET to work correctly.
2. Calcium AKG Aids in Antioxidative Function
Alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG) is a vital intermediary in the Krebs cycle involved in various metabolic activities in animals and humans.
Notably, AKG aids in the oxidation of nutrients (such as amino acids, glucose, and fatty acids), which ultimately supply energy for cell functions.
As a precursor of glutamate and glutamine, AKG works as an antioxidant by immediately reacting with hydrogen peroxide to generate succinate, water, and carbon dioxide; in the meantime, it releases a large amount of ATP via oxidative decarboxylation.
Recent research has also shown that AKG can reduce oxidative stress in mammalian cells by acting as an energy source and antioxidant.
3. AKG Demonstrates Physiological Benefits
Alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG) is a biological compound that has key roles in cell metabolism and physiology. AKG is made from glucose or oxaloacetate and pyruvate. As an intermediary in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, AKG is essential for the oxidation of fatty acids, amino acids, and glucose.
Extracellular AKG provides substantial energy to gastrointestinal tract cells. AKG acts as a precursor for the synthesis of glutamate and glutamine in a variety of tissues (including the liver, skeletal muscle, heart, brain, and white adipose tissue), bridging carbohydrate and nitrogen metabolism to save amino acids and detoxify ammonia.
Furthermore, accumulating data indicates that AKG regulates gene expression and cell signaling pathways (including the mammalian target of rapamycin and AMP-activated protein kinase).
Thus, AKG is a beneficial dietary supplement in both animal and human nutrition for improving cellular energy status, immunity, and health.
4. Promotes Bone Health
One of the most sought-after benefits of AKG includes enhanced healing from injuries and prevention of mineral density loss. Earlier studies have shown that AKG can stimulate bone growth in rats and lambs.
A team of researchers from the United States and China investigated how AKG impacts bone loss and mass in rats.
The researchers gave mice and rats two different quantities of AKG by putting it in their drinking water. Measurements of several bones were obtained, including bone mass, thickness, and volume.
By treating the rats with AKG, the experiment showed that bone mass and density were enhanced, and the process of bone synthesis was accelerated. This was indicated by a rise in the number of osteoblasts and osteoclasts, the cells that produce and degrade the building blocks of bone.
When the researchers examined cell cultures from AKG-treated mice, they discovered that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which are responsible for the generation of osteoblasts and osteoclasts, had increased osteogenic potential and higher expression of osteogenic genes.
The study’s findings show that AKG “ameliorates age-associated hallmarks of aged MSCs,” influencing cell senescence.
AKG-treated bone marrow cells had a longer lifetime, shorter population-doubling time, lower expression of aging markers, repaired nuclear envelope architecture, and lower levels of senescence-associated beta-galactosidase.
5. Improves Skin Appearance
According to a study, AKG stimulates the expression of serine palmitoyl transferase, filaggrin, and involucrin. All these molecules are vital for the structure and hydration of the skin’s outer layer; therefore, using AKG topically may improve the skin’s appearance.
Conclusion
Rapid aging is not only limited to physical appearance; one of the most prominent effects of rapid aging is the deterioration of bodily function, mainly macular degeneration. Alpha-ketoglutarate is a naturally producing compound that helps rebuild muscle, which reduces as you age.
Calcium AKG is a potent supplement that maintains the natural levels of AKG in the body and aids in antioxidative, physiological, and skin health. In addition, a regular dosage of AKG helps regain lost mineral bone density.
