Supplement analysis backed by scientific evidence · PT

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Limited evidencePhysical performance

OKG (Ornithine Alpha-Ketoglutarate)

An amino acid salt used in hospital nutrition for burns and wounds. Even the clinical evidence is rated uncertain, and there is essentially nothing supporting its use by healthy trainees.

Evidence last reviewed: August 2026

What the science says

  • Pressure ulcer healing is very uncertain Limited evidence

    The 2024 Cochrane review of nutritional interventions for pressure ulcers examined ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate specifically and concluded the evidence about its effect on ulcer healing is very uncertain.

  • Clinical use in burn patients Limited evidence

    A randomized controlled trial in burn patients compared modes of enteral OKG administration, and a later umbrella review of nutritional interventions in burns found the supporting evidence across such supplements generally low certainty.

  • No evidence in healthy athletes Limited evidence

    No randomized trial supports OKG for strength, lean mass or recovery in healthy trained people, despite its marketing in that category.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseHospital studies used 10–20 g/day by the enteral route. Supplement labels typically suggest 2–5 g/day, a dose with no supporting trials.
SafetyReasonably tolerated in hospital use; gastrointestinal upset is the usual complaint. Avoid in kidney or liver failure without medical supervision, since nitrogen and ammonia handling are impaired in those conditions.

Scientific references

Where to buy

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