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Limited evidenceLongevity & antioxidants

CaAKG (Calcium Alpha-Ketoglutarate)

Alpha-ketoglutarate is a real Krebs-cycle metabolite that extended lifespan and compressed morbidity in mice, but the human longevity evidence is one small uncontrolled study of a commercial product using an epigenetic clock. Promising biology, no controlled human outcome data.

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What the science says

  • Extends lifespan in mice Moderate evidence

    In C57BL/6 mice starting at 18 months, calcium-AKG in feed increased median lifespan roughly 12% overall (about 16% in females) and, more strikingly, reduced frailty scores across multiple domains — the 'compression of morbidity' finding that made AKG famous. This is a well-conducted rodent study, but rodent lifespan results transfer to humans inconsistently at best.

  • Reduces biological age in humans Limited evidence

    The widely cited human result is a retrospective analysis of 42 users of a commercial CaAKG formulation (which also contains vitamins A and D) reporting an average 8-year drop in DNA-methylation age after about 7 months. There was no control group, no randomization, self-selected users, and the study was conducted by parties connected to the product; methylation clocks also drift with assay noise. Treat it as hypothesis-generating, not evidence of benefit.

  • Improves bone density or muscle Limited evidence

    Older ornithine-AKG and arginine-AKG work in surgical, burn and dialysis patients showed nitrogen-balance and wound-healing signals, but those are different salts at gram doses in catabolic patients. There is no adequate RCT showing CaAKG improves bone mineral density, lean mass, or strength in healthy adults.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseThe mouse study used roughly 2% CaAKG in feed, a dose that scales to well over a gram per kilogram — nowhere near what humans take. Human products supply 1,000–2,000 mg CaAKG per day, usually as two 500–1,000 mg sustained-release tablets, a dose chosen commercially rather than from dose-finding trials. Each gram of CaAKG contributes roughly 100–150 mg elemental calcium, which counts toward your calcium total.
SafetyGenerally well tolerated at 1–2 g/day; reported effects are mild GI upset and, in some, a metallic taste. The calcium load matters for people already taking calcium supplements or at risk of hypercalcemia or calcium-oxalate stones. AKG is a metabolic intermediate feeding glutamate and glutamine pools — a theoretical concern in active cancer, where glutamine metabolism is often upregulated, and enough reason to talk to an oncologist first. Not banned in sport. Long-term human safety data beyond a few months do not exist.

How to take it

TimingTiming does not matter; most products are sustained-release tablets taken once or twice daily.
With food?With food, which limits the mild GI upset and metallic taste some people report.
Worth knowingRemember it is a calcium salt — if you already supplement calcium or have had calcium-oxalate stones, this adds to a total you are supposed to be watching.

Interactions

With medications

  • levothyroxine

    The elemental calcium in CaAKG binds levothyroxine in the gut and reduces its absorption. separate by at least 4 hours

  • tetracycline and quinolone antibiotics

    Calcium chelates these antibiotics and cuts how much you absorb. separate by at least 2-4 hours

With other supplements

  • calcium supplements

    Each gram of CaAKG contributes roughly 100-150 mg of elemental calcium. count it toward your daily calcium total

  • iron supplements

    Calcium competes with non-heme iron for absorption. take them at different times of day

Well-established interactions only — this is not a complete list. Always tell your doctor and pharmacist what you take.

Frequently asked questions

Does calcium alpha-ketoglutarate (CaAKG) extend lifespan?

In mice, yes, with moderate evidence: CaAKG in feed increased median lifespan roughly 12% and reduced frailty. In humans there are no controlled outcome data, and rodent lifespan results transfer inconsistently.

Does CaAKG reverse biological age?

The evidence is limited: the cited human study was a retrospective analysis of 42 users of a commercial CaAKG product reporting an 8-year drop in epigenetic age, with no control group and conducted by parties connected to the product. It is hypothesis-generating, not proof.

How much CaAKG should I take?

CaAKG products supply 1,000–2,000 mg per day, usually as sustained-release tablets taken with food, a dose chosen commercially rather than from dose-finding trials. Each gram adds roughly 100–150 mg of elemental calcium to your total.

Is CaAKG safe with thyroid medication or antibiotics?

The calcium in CaAKG reduces absorption of levothyroxine, so separate them by at least 4 hours, and of tetracycline and quinolone antibiotics, so separate by 2-4 hours. Talk to an oncologist first if you have active cancer.

Scientific references

Where to buy

Toniiq, Calcium AKG, 120 Capsules

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