In the case of the compounds AKG (alpha-ketoglutarate) and NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) are both important molecules from the human metabolic pathways, both of which serve the so important energy production. We will discuss their relevance in the following.
The molecule adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is often called the coin of metabolism and is the central link between AKG and NMN. According to research, three different phosphate residues are attached to it. The so-called phosphoric acid diester compounds between the phosphate groups serve as energy storage here, as energy is transferred when the compounds are formed, which can then be released elsewhere by dissolving these compounds.
The formation of these compounds takes place in the so-called “respiratory chain” of the mitochondria, where ATP is assembled from the individual components of adenosine monophosphate (AMP) and two other phosphate residues. The energy for this is provided by intermediate energy carriers, such as nicotinamide dinucleotide (NAD). These are reduction equivalents.
These are then loaded with hydrogen in the body’s central metabolic cycle, the citric acid (citrate) cycle or Krebs cycle. This process takes place in all body cells that have mitochondria.
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AKG and NMN as part of the citric acid cycle
A molecule that is part of this citric acid cycle is also called alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG). In addition, however, seven other molecules are involved in this constant cycle.
NMN, for example, as a precursor of NAD, serves to replenish the body’s own stores of reduction equivalents. AKG as a direct supplement to the citric acid cycle, because with age the concentration of this molecule in the body decreases by a factor of 5 to 10. Without sufficient AKG, however, the existing reduction equivalents cannot be adequately loaded with energy. This means that they are then no longer useful to the body as an energy source. Ergo: Without sufficient AKG, no NAD use.
AKG – What is that actually?
AKG has been investigated in numerous supplementation studies. In-vitro laboratory tests showed detoxifying, anti-neoplastic and DNA methylation modifying effects. So an epigenetic change that affects gene expression. Positive effects on numerous chronic inflammatory “age-related diseases” have already been demonstrated in animal models,
such as the inflammation profile, vascular elasticity, lipid profile and also longevity.
In humans, these supplementation studies led to positive effects in the following areas:
- Less muscle fatigue
- Improved metabolism and bone metabolism
Especially in postmenopausal osteoporosis, these positive effects led to significant improvements in the quality of life and general condition of elderly patients.
The beneficial effect of calcium storage in osteoporosis was also observed in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism and generally proved useful in hypercalcaemia.
But AKG can do even more
The improvement of the metabolism and the musculature through AKG helps even more patients:
- Studies showed that patients who were given AKG before heart surgery had fewer indicators of ischaemic damage to the very ischaemia-sensitive organs afterwards.
- Improved postoperative protein synthesis and thus tendon and muscle growth and healing could also be observed in the context of hip prosthesis operations under AKG therapy.
- The protein metabolism of dialysis patients is improved when AKG is administered.
- Faster healing was observed in burn victims and patients with pressure sores.
Another advantage of AKG is the increased oxygen binding capacity, which is considered to be causal for the positive effects in cardiac surgery as well as leading to increased oxygen levels during endurance training in healthy volunteers.
With AKG, the metabolism-activating effect is in the foreground, which explains many of the numerous positive effects. This is also the immense advantage over NMN, which also enables higher oxygen binding and also plays a role in insulin metabolism, but for which nothing has yet been proven for the metabolic component.
