What are the benefits of Calcium AKG for Athletes?
25th Apr 2024
Is Calcium AKG a Calcium Supplement?
This article will cover calcium AKG supplement anti-aging and fitness benefits, especially for athletes. It touches on:
Let’s go over why this supplement might be your ‘must-have’ to reach your fitness goals.
Alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG), is a natural compound in our bodies. It’s used in many processes, such as helping build muscle and heal wounds, as well as being a key molecule in the Krebs cycle, helping to scavenge nitrogen. It’s also a source of glutamine and glutamate, that help create protein and prevent protein breakdown in our muscles.
The thing is, AKG has a short lifetime, so to be fully utilised by the body, it needs to be connected to another molecule, i.e. calcium AKG.
Ca AKG benefits vary, but calcium for athletes, especially when combined with AKG, has enormous potential and should definitely be considered for all athletes and fitness enthusiasts.
In calcium AKG studies, it has been found to fuel our cells, generating energy so that we can function and exercise at our peak. This is due to its role in the Krebs cycle, which is needed for energy production and metabolic function. For those of us who are looking to improve our physical performance, it’s a great supplement to actually help us focus on our fitness.
Due to its function in protein synthesis, it supports muscle health and recovery as it prevents muscle protein loss, and it also helps us maintain a healthy body weight. Not only that, but it also protects our cardiac tissues and helps to maintain our cardiovascular health, making it a fantastic fitness supplement for people who want to improve their workout performance and muscle recovery, or just active individuals in general!
Further Reading: Benefits of Calcium AKG on Weight Management
It's also been found to help our bone health, which is incredibly important for athletes as well as we age and have a higher risk of osteoporosis. A quarter of our dietary AKG is converted into proline and glutamine, two amino acids used in the creation of collagen, with collagen making up a third of all the protein in our bodies that helps support our bones, skin and muscles. In this way, AKG may reduce the risk of fractures and may help increase bone mass and bone density.
Another reason that AKG calcium supplements are great for athletes is that AKG can be converted into glutamine, leading to higher levels of glutathione activity as it’s a precursor. Glutathione can clean off most ROS, which can help prevent oxidative stress in our cells, preventing protein disorders that could impair our cell functions. Regular AKG supplementation may preserve glutamine levels, too, providing cellular energy and helping with protein synthesis.
Further Reading: Looking for bone supplements? Read about the Benefits of Calcium AKG on Bone, Liver and Brain Health
How to Take Calcium AKG?
- Start Slow: Begin with a lower dosage, then gradually increase it. For example, with Xandro Lab’s Ca-AKG, start with one capsule daily, then increase to two after a few weeks.
- Timing Matters: For better absorption, take it away from high-fibre meals and iron supplements.
- With Vitamins: It might help to take your calcium AKG with a multivitamin as vitamin K and vitamin D help improve calcium absorption, ideally at midday for sunlight exposure.
- Take with Food: Have it with a meal at midday to aid digestion.
Calcium AKG Side Effects
- Generally Safe: There are no significant side effects or interactions from AKG supplements, but stop taking them immediately if you experience any adverse effects.
- Speak with Your Doctor: Before adding any new supplement to your diet, speak with your medical professional, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have any medical conditions.
- Follow Recommendations: Stick to recommended dosages and stay hydrated.
- Choose Wisely: Always buy from reputable brands like Xandro Lab, with third-party testing.
- Safe Use: AKG is generally safe for up to three years, but avoid it during pregnancy.
Calcium AKG Dosage
- There’s currently no recommended dosage of AKG, but, according to studies:
- Recommended Daily: Between 1000 and 1300mg per day.
- For Exercise: Typically take 1 to 15g per day.
- For Osteoporosis: 6g of Ca-AKG daily may increase bone mass density.
- Calcium Limits: Up to 2500mg per day till age 50, then over 2000mg.
Is Calcium AKG a Calcium Supplement?
Typically, no, calcium AKG is not a calcium supplement, as there is only enough calcium in the supplement to help transport the AKG into the body. For example, each of Xandro Lab’s Calcium AKG capsules contains 90mg of calcium out of 500mg. The calcium salt is attached to the AKG to help improve its delivery into the body and is not meant to be taken as a calcium supplement.
If you have been told by your doctor to take a calcium supplement or you’re looking for specific calcium supplements for women or men, Ca-AKG is not what you’re looking for.
Further Reading: Benefits of Calcium AKG on Cell Health
End Note
Considering well-known personalities like David Sinclair, George Church and Aubrey de Grey all take Ca-AKG and have spoken about its benefits, it goes to show just how great this supplement can be for delaying the aging process and for our overall health.
Are you an athlete or fitness enthusiast searching for ways to improve your muscle recovery and protein synthesis? If you’re looking for the best Ca AKG supplement, try out Xandro Lab’s Calcium AKG Supplement today!
In need of health supplements Singapore or anywhere else in the world? Check out the range of specific
supplements at Xandro Lab to help with your biohacking journey.