Ornithine Alpha Ketoglutarate (OKG) is a modulating dietary supplement combining ornithine with α-Ketoglutaric acid. Around a hundred in vitro and in vivo studies conducted over the last decade have brought a greater understanding of some of its mechanisms of action, at a metabolic crossroads involving the Krebs and urea cycles.
What exactly is ornithine alpha ketoglutarate (OKG)?
Ornithine alpha ketoglutarate (OKG) is a salt composed of one molecule of ketoglutarate and two of ornithine. It is a powerful nutritional modulator(1-4).
Multifactorial, its mechanisms of action are related to the normalisation of secretion of hormones such as growth hormone and to the properties of its metabolites:
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Glutamine, which plays a key role in controlling protein metabolism but which has limited use as a supplement due to its low solubility.
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Proline, which has two important anabolic functions, being the precursor of hydroxyproline.
- Arginine, which has the ability to increase growth hormone secretion.
What is growth hormone ?
Growth hormone, or somatotropin, is a polypeptide hormone synthesised by the body. It acts via effectors: IGF-1 and IGF-2 somatomedins, produced in the liver and chondrocytes in the growth plate.
It is secreted episodically, peaking during the hours of sleep (especially the first hours), during meals, with muscle exertion and with stress. It is at its highest during adolescence and then gradually declines throughout life until it becomes low in old age.
While its principal role is to provide cells with the energy they need for growth, it has various effects on:
- Tissues, particularly muscle tissue as it produces muscle hypertrophy and tissue hyperplasia.
- Carbohydrate metabolism as it has a blood glucose-increasing effect.
- Fat metabolism as it has a lipolytic effect and mobilises stored fats.
- Increasing the transport of amino acids in cells and their incorporation into proteins.
- Stimulating protein synthesis.
Several situations can lead to a deficit in growth hormone:
- Normal ageing.
- Sarcopenia.
- Malnutrition, especially zinc deficiency.
- Chronic inflammatory diseases.
- Nitrogen catabolism caused by the demands of strenuous exercise.
- Excess weight, especially obesity.
Daily serving: 10 tablets
Number of servings per bottle: 6 |
Quantity
per serving |
L-ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate 2:1 |
10 g |
Other ingredients: calcium carbonate, stearic acid, maltodextrin, croscarmellose sodium, shellac.
|
Each tablet contains 1 000 mg L-ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate 2:1.
Take from 3 to 10 tablets per day, in one or two doses according to your therapist advise.
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- Rennie MJ, Hundal HS, Babij P, MacLennan P, Taylor PM, Watt PW, et al. Characteristics of a glutamine carrier in skeletal muscle have important consequences for nitrogen loss in injury, infection, and chronic disease. Lancet 1986;2:1008–12.
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