Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate (AAKG) is an advanced form of the amino acid Arginine used by bodybuilders and athletes to prolong the muscle pump, accelerate muscle growth, speed recovery and improve sexual performance.
What does it do?
Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate acts to stimulate the production of nitric oxide in your body. Nitric oxide acts as your body's master "cell-signalling" molecule, directing and ordering a complex array of activities. It regulates blood flow, muscle contraction, nerve signalling and muscle growth, to name just a few. The functions of this molecule are very impressive.
However, you can't just go out and buy nitric oxide (known also as NO). Instead, you use Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate, which is a natural, non-drug method of creating NO in the human body. Arginine has been shown to increase NO production in blood vessels, where it widens their diameter, increasing blood flow without elevating blood pressure.
Wider blood vessels carry more blood to muscles and tissues, delivering increased amounts of protein, carbohydrate and the various anabolic hormones (such as growth hormone and testosterone) needed for muscle growth. When nitric oxide is present in the muscles, it activates “gene-expression” and turns on the body's muscle-building mechanism (commonly called protein synthesis).
Plain arginine supplements (or even red meat, which is rich in arginine) won't produce the same results. For a supplement to be effective at boosting nitric oxide levels continuously, it needs to have some kind of extended-release delivery system. This is achieved by combining Arginine with Alpha-Ketoglutarate. Taking plain arginine to raise nitric oxide levels is a bit like trying to extinguish the fire in a blazing building with a cup of water. It won't work.
The most obvious and immediate benefit is the enhanced "pump". After using AKG, bodybuilders report that their pumps were far larger and lasted longer. They looked bigger. Their muscles felt fuller and tighter. Some of them literally felt pumped all day. But the pump is really only a side effect. The real benefit is the ability of NO to rapidly generate new muscle growth, increase strength and accelerate recovery in all of the muscles.
Scientists still don't why, but NO stimulates protein synthesis in the muscle. That protein then goes on to form muscle tissue. The result is bigger arms, broader shoulders, a thicker chest and more powerful-looking legs.
Arginine also boosts the production of growth hormone. Human growth hormone helps in muscle building, leading to increased muscle size and strength. Arginine is a very popular treatment for erectile dysfunction, and has a reputation for restoring sex drive and confidence.
