Cak8.5

Calcium AKG

mineral

Calcium Alpha-Ketoglutarate

Emerging longevity compound that may reduce biological age markers, support cellular energy, and extend healthspan.

longevityanti-agingmetabolismepigenetic

33+ studies

Evidence

Reviewed 19 days ago

high

Safety

1000-2000mg

Dose

12-24 weeks

Time to Effect

Calcium alpha-ketoglutarate powder or capsules

Best Form

Calcium Alpha-Ketoglutarate (Ca-AKG) is a salt of alpha-ketoglutarate, a key metabolite in the Krebs cycle. Recent research shows it extends lifespan in animal models and reduces biological age markers in humans. It plays roles in energy metabolism, collagen synthesis, and epigenetic regulation. Gaining attention as a promising longevity intervention.

Mechanisms of Action

🔋

Krebs Cycle Support

Key metabolite in cellular energy production

🧬

Epigenetic Modulation

May affect DNA methylation and aging markers

✨

Collagen Synthesis

Cofactor for collagen production

Biological PathwayBeta

How Calcium AKG works — from molecular targets to health outcomes. Click an edge to see supporting research.This visualization is in beta — pathways are being refined and expanded.

Recommended Dose

1000-2000mg

500mg3000mg

Optimal Timing

Morning
With or without food

Can be taken without food

Available Forms

Form	Type
💊Calcium alpha-ketoglutarate powder or capsules	Recommended
💊AAKG (arginine AKG — different compound)	Alternative

Calcium AKG is the form used in longevity research. AAKG is different and used for nitric oxide.

Duration

Minimum: 12 weeks

Optimal: 24 weeks

Cycling: Not required

Note: Can be taken any time. Some prefer morning.

⏰

Reduced Biological Age

Lower epigenetic age markers

📅 4-6 months

25% of users notice thispositive

⚡

Energy Metabolism

Supported cellular energy

⏱️ 4-8 weeks

50% of users notice thispositive

High SafetyMax safe dose: Up to 3g/day used in studies

🔴

Pregnant/nursing

Insufficient data; avoid

Who Should NOT Take This

Known allergy or hypersensitivity to Calcium AKG or related compounds

Drug Interactions

No significant interactions knownmild

Generally well-tolerated

Possible Side Effects

GI upset

milduncommon

Tip: Take with food

Warnings

Human longevity data is limited — most evidence from animal studies
Long-term effects not fully characterized

⟡ NMN

complementary

Both target aging through different pathways

Multi-pathway longevity support

Top studies from 33+ peer-reviewed papers

📚meta-analysisn=7920

DOI

Langer G et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2024)

“The benefits of nutritional interventions with various compositions for pressure ulcer prevention and treatment are uncertain.”

Key Findings:

Compared to standard diet, protein supplements may result in little to no difference in pressure ulcer incidence (protein 21 per 1000, standard diet 28 per 1000; RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.49 to 1.14; 4 studies, 4264 participants; low-certainty evidence).
The evidence is very uncertain about the gastrointestinal side effects of these supplements (protein 109 per 1000, standard diet 155 per 1000; RR 0.70, 95% CI 0.06 to 7.96; 2 studies, 140 participants, very low-certainty evidence).
Compared to standard diet, energy, protein and micronutrient supplements may slightly increase the number of healed pressure ulcers (energy, protein and micronutrients 366 per 1000, standard diet 253 per 1000; RR 1.45, 95% CI 1.14 to 1.85; 3 studies, 577 participants, low-certainty evidence).
Compared to standard diet, supplements with arginine and micronutrients may not increase the number of healed pressure ulcers, but the evidence suggests a slight reduction in pressure ulcer area (MD 15.8% lower, 95% CI 25.11 lower to 6.48 lower; 2 studies, 231 participants, low-certainty evidence).

📚meta-analysisn=3881

DOI

Avenell A et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2016)

“There is low-quality evidence that oral multinutrient supplements started before or soon after surgery may prevent complications within the first 12 months after hip fracture, but that they have no clear effect on mortality.”

Key Findings:

There was low-quality evidence that oral feeds had little effect on mortality (24/486 versus 31/481; risk ratio (RR) 0.81 favouring supplementation, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.49 to 1.32; 15 trials).
There was low-quality evidence that the number of participants with complications may be reduced with oral multinutrient feeds (123/370 versus 157/367; RR 0.71, 95% CI 0.59 to 0.86; 11 trials).
Based on very low-quality evidence from six studies (334 participants), oral supplements may result in lower numbers with 'unfavourable outcome' (death or complications): RR 0.67, 95% CI 0.51 to 0.89.
Pooled data from three heterogeneous trials showed no evidence of an effect of supplementation on mortality (14/142 versus 14/138; RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.50 to 1.97).

📚systematic-review

DOI

Sahebkar A et al. • Journal of cellular physiology (2018)

“However, due to methodological differences, we propose the implementation of international, multicenter, multiethnic studies with larger population size, and biopsy proven NAFLD diagnosis to analyze and compare α-ketoglutarate and CK18-F as potential biomarkers of the silent evolution of NAFLD.”

Key Findings:

The lack of a biomarker of NAFLD pushes to develop this new line of research.
The aim of the present systematic review is to clarify and update all the NAFLD biomarkers described in the literature until recently.
We highlight α-ketoglutarate and CK18-F as currently the best potential biomarker of NAFLD.

📋preclinical

DOI

Chin RM et al. • Nature (2014)

“AKG regulates TET enzymes and DNA demethylation.”

Key Findings:

Regulates epigenetic enzymes
Affects DNA methylation
Mechanism for aging effects

📚systematic-reviewn=1231

DOI

Yildirim D et al. • Advances in skin & wound care (2026)

“Across 18 studies including 1231 participants (aged 38 to 83 y) with stage 2 to 4 PIs, nutritional interventions demonstrated positive effects on prevention and healing.”

Key Findings:

Across 18 studies including 1231 participants (aged 38 to 83 y) with stage 2 to 4 PIs, nutritional interventions demonstrated positive effects on prevention and healing.
Formulas enriched with protein, arginine, zinc, antioxidants, and other nutrients appear promising; nonetheless, further large-scale, high-quality RCTs are needed to confirm these findings.
Further research warranted to confirm findings

View all 33+ studies

What would you like to do next?

Compare with Others Find Based on Your Goals

Related Supplements

I9.0

Iodine

9/10

Essential trace mineral for thyroid hormone production — deficiency is common and affects metabolism, energy, and cognition.

Fe9.0

Iron

9/10

Essential mineral for oxygen transport and energy production — critical for those with deficiency, especially women and athletes.

Se9.0

Selenium

9/10

Required for selenoprotein production that regulates thyroid hormones, powers glutathione peroxidase, and strengthens immune defense.

CA8.8

Calcium

8.8/10

Builds and maintains bone density while supporting muscle contraction, nerve signaling, and cardiovascular function.

Cak8.5

Calcium AKG

mineral

Calcium Alpha-Ketoglutarate

Emerging longevity compound that may reduce biological age markers, support cellular energy, and extend healthspan.

longevityanti-agingmetabolismepigenetic

33+ studies

Evidence

Reviewed 19 days ago

high

Safety

1000-2000mg

Dose

12-24 weeks

Time to Effect

Calcium alpha-ketoglutarate powder or capsules

Best Form

Mechanisms of Action

🔋

Krebs Cycle Support

Key metabolite in cellular energy production

🧬

Epigenetic Modulation

May affect DNA methylation and aging markers

✨

Collagen Synthesis

Cofactor for collagen production

Biological PathwayBeta

How Calcium AKG works — from molecular targets to health outcomes. Click an edge to see supporting research.This visualization is in beta — pathways are being refined and expanded.

Supplement

Molecular Target

Biological Process

Health Outcome

Strong

Moderate

Emerging

strong

moderate

emerging

Tap node to isolate • Pinch to zoom • Tap edge for research

Recommended Dose

1000-2000mg

500mg3000mg

Optimal Timing

Morning
With or without food

Can be taken without food

Available Forms

Form	Type
💊Calcium alpha-ketoglutarate powder or capsules	Recommended
💊AAKG (arginine AKG — different compound)	Alternative

Calcium AKG is the form used in longevity research. AAKG is different and used for nitric oxide.

Duration

Minimum: 12 weeks

Optimal: 24 weeks

Cycling: Not required

Note: Can be taken any time. Some prefer morning.

⏰

Reduced Biological Age

Lower epigenetic age markers

📅 4-6 months

25% of users notice thispositive

⚡

Energy Metabolism

Supported cellular energy

⏱️ 4-8 weeks

50% of users notice thispositive

High SafetyMax safe dose: Up to 3g/day used in studies

🔴

Pregnant/nursing

Insufficient data; avoid

Who Should NOT Take This

Known allergy or hypersensitivity to Calcium AKG or related compounds

Drug Interactions

No significant interactions knownmild

Generally well-tolerated

Possible Side Effects

GI upset

milduncommon

Tip: Take with food

Warnings

Human longevity data is limited — most evidence from animal studies
Long-term effects not fully characterized

⟡ NMN

complementary

Both target aging through different pathways

Multi-pathway longevity support

Top studies from 33+ peer-reviewed papers

📚meta-analysisn=7920

DOI

Langer G et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2024)

“The benefits of nutritional interventions with various compositions for pressure ulcer prevention and treatment are uncertain.”

Key Findings:

Compared to standard diet, protein supplements may result in little to no difference in pressure ulcer incidence (protein 21 per 1000, standard diet 28 per 1000; RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.49 to 1.14; 4 studies, 4264 participants; low-certainty evidence).
The evidence is very uncertain about the gastrointestinal side effects of these supplements (protein 109 per 1000, standard diet 155 per 1000; RR 0.70, 95% CI 0.06 to 7.96; 2 studies, 140 participants, very low-certainty evidence).
Compared to standard diet, energy, protein and micronutrient supplements may slightly increase the number of healed pressure ulcers (energy, protein and micronutrients 366 per 1000, standard diet 253 per 1000; RR 1.45, 95% CI 1.14 to 1.85; 3 studies, 577 participants, low-certainty evidence).
Compared to standard diet, supplements with arginine and micronutrients may not increase the number of healed pressure ulcers, but the evidence suggests a slight reduction in pressure ulcer area (MD 15.8% lower, 95% CI 25.11 lower to 6.48 lower; 2 studies, 231 participants, low-certainty evidence).

📚meta-analysisn=3881

DOI

Avenell A et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2016)

“There is low-quality evidence that oral multinutrient supplements started before or soon after surgery may prevent complications within the first 12 months after hip fracture, but that they have no clear effect on mortality.”

Key Findings:

There was low-quality evidence that oral feeds had little effect on mortality (24/486 versus 31/481; risk ratio (RR) 0.81 favouring supplementation, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.49 to 1.32; 15 trials).
There was low-quality evidence that the number of participants with complications may be reduced with oral multinutrient feeds (123/370 versus 157/367; RR 0.71, 95% CI 0.59 to 0.86; 11 trials).
Based on very low-quality evidence from six studies (334 participants), oral supplements may result in lower numbers with 'unfavourable outcome' (death or complications): RR 0.67, 95% CI 0.51 to 0.89.
Pooled data from three heterogeneous trials showed no evidence of an effect of supplementation on mortality (14/142 versus 14/138; RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.50 to 1.97).

📚systematic-review

DOI

Sahebkar A et al. • Journal of cellular physiology (2018)

“However, due to methodological differences, we propose the implementation of international, multicenter, multiethnic studies with larger population size, and biopsy proven NAFLD diagnosis to analyze and compare α-ketoglutarate and CK18-F as potential biomarkers of the silent evolution of NAFLD.”

Key Findings:

The lack of a biomarker of NAFLD pushes to develop this new line of research.
The aim of the present systematic review is to clarify and update all the NAFLD biomarkers described in the literature until recently.
We highlight α-ketoglutarate and CK18-F as currently the best potential biomarker of NAFLD.

📋preclinical

DOI

Chin RM et al. • Nature (2014)

“AKG regulates TET enzymes and DNA demethylation.”

Key Findings:

Regulates epigenetic enzymes
Affects DNA methylation
Mechanism for aging effects

📚systematic-reviewn=1231

DOI

Yildirim D et al. • Advances in skin & wound care (2026)

“Across 18 studies including 1231 participants (aged 38 to 83 y) with stage 2 to 4 PIs, nutritional interventions demonstrated positive effects on prevention and healing.”

Key Findings:

Across 18 studies including 1231 participants (aged 38 to 83 y) with stage 2 to 4 PIs, nutritional interventions demonstrated positive effects on prevention and healing.
Formulas enriched with protein, arginine, zinc, antioxidants, and other nutrients appear promising; nonetheless, further large-scale, high-quality RCTs are needed to confirm these findings.
Further research warranted to confirm findings

View all 33+ studies

What would you like to do next?

Compare with Others Find Based on Your Goals

Related Supplements

I9.0

Iodine

9/10

Essential trace mineral for thyroid hormone production — deficiency is common and affects metabolism, energy, and cognition.

Fe9.0

Iron

9/10

Essential mineral for oxygen transport and energy production — critical for those with deficiency, especially women and athletes.

Se9.0

Selenium

9/10

Required for selenoprotein production that regulates thyroid hormones, powers glutathione peroxidase, and strengthens immune defense.

CA8.8

Calcium

8.8/10

Builds and maintains bone density while supporting muscle contraction, nerve signaling, and cardiovascular function.