OKG (ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate) is an amino acid complex composed of ornithine (an amino acid) and ketoglutaric Acid (a natural energy-producing compound) that shows incredible promise stimulating muscle repair, energy, and strength.

Arginine and ornithine are precursors of nitric oxide and polyamines, metabolites which participate in a number of metabolic functions. OKG supplements have been shown to promote growth hormone and insulin secretion with anabolic effects.  Their intermediary metabolites (glutamine and proline) may also have beneficial effects in promoting recovery from trauma.  In animal studies, OKG supplementation increased levels of arginine and glutamine in skeletal muscles and stimulated immune system function compared to animals not receiving OKG. The immunomodulatory properties found with OKG suggest that it may enhance host-defense mechanisms, particularly during injury and acute stress.

OKG supplements (15 grams per day for 5 months) have been shown to improve growth rates in small children. OKG supplementation resulted in elevated concentrations of anabolic (growth) hormones and amino acid metabolites, including insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), glutamine and glutamate.

In another study of healthy men, OKG given at 10 grams per day resulted in a 20-30% elevation in insulin (another anabolic hormone), which were not observed with supplementation of either ornithine or alpha-ketoglutarate alone.

A test tube study found that OKG induces a significant increase in growth of human fibroblasts cells with similarities to muscle fiber cells. This effect was dose-dependent, meaning that a more pronounced growth effect was noted with increasing levels of OKG (but not with increasing levels of ornithine or alpha-ketoglutarate alone).

In one study, the anti-catabolic effects of OKG were investigated in 14 multiple trauma patients who were highly catabolic and hyper-metabolic. One group of subjects received 20 grams of OKG per day and showed a significant increase in protein turnover as well as a an increase in blood levels of insulin, growth hormone, and free amino acids (glutamine, proline and ornithine) compared to subjects not receiving OKG supplements.

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L-Ornithine:

ORNITHINE is a non-essential amino acid found free in the body tissues, but it is not used as a protein building block. In order for an ornithine deficiency to occur, the body would also have to be deficient in arginine, since ornithine is formed when arginine is altered by the enzyme arginase. Ornithine is the precursor of amino acids citrulline, glutamic acid, and proline.

Ornithine is a powerful stimulator of growth hormone and insulin production by the pituitary gland. When combined with arginine and carnitine, it helps release a hormone that metabolizes excess body fat helping to reduce arterial fatty plaque deposits. It is necessary for the immune system and liver function. Ornithine has also been successfully used to detoxify ammonia and promote healing.

Ornithine supplements should never be given to children unless done so by a physician because of its effect on growth hormone. This is undesirable for those still growing.

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