Ornithine and glutamine are both conditionally essential amino acids. Alpha-ketoglutarate is a component of the Krebs cycle, also called the TCA, or citric acid cycle. Ornithine is an amino acid component of the metabolism of arginine and proline, two essential amino acids. Ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate, OKG, is a synthetic form of alpha-ketoglutarate.
Safety
Because both ornithine and alpha-ketoglutarate are found naturally within the body, they are presumed to be safe to consume. One study, “Ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate improves wound healing in severe burn patient: a prospective randomized double-blind trial versus isonitrogenous controls,” administered 10 grams of OKG twice a day for three weeks to burn patients and determined it to be safe and well tolerated by all participants.
Side Effects
While this supplement appears to be safe, large doses, defined as between 5 and 10 grams, may cause diarrhea or stomach cramps. While this may be the case, many burn patient studies use between 10 grams to 30 grams of this supplement per day without adverse side effects. The side effects for supplementation of just the amino acid ornithine include possible gastric upset, restlessness and insomnia.
Individuals Who Should Not Supplement
There are currently no known interactions with drugs, supplements or food with OKG, according to Blue Shield CA. However, individuals taking MAOIs, blood pressure, or erectile dysfunction medications should not take ornithine, as drug interactions may occur. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not consume this supplement, as it will be transferred to their children. Similarly, young children should not take OKG unless prescribed by a physician. As with any supplement or diet alteration a physician should determine if adding this supplement would be advisable.
Burn Patients and Bodybuilders
The article, “The effect of ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate (Okg) on healthy, weight trained men,” determined that OKG supplementation did not increase training intensity, volume, or muscle mass. It also did not alter blood concentrations of insulin or growth hormone, both of which act as anabolic muscle builders. While it does not appear to increase muscle, OKG does help burn patients recover from their injuries. When OKG was added to burn patients’ enteral feeding routines, their wound healing time was dramatically shortened when compared to a protein mixture placebo group.
References
- Biochemical, Physiological, and Molecular Aspects of Human Nutrition; Martha H. Stipanuk
- Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease; Maurice E. Shils; 10th Edition
- “Critical Care Medicine”; Ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate improves wound healing in severe burn patients: a prospective randomized double-blind trial versus isonitrogenous controls; Coudray-Lucas C, et al.; 2000.
- “Exercise Nutrition”; The effect of ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate (Okg) on healthy, weight trained men”; Robert D. Chetlin; 2000.
- Blue Shield CA : Complementary & Alternative Health, Ornithine Alpha-Ketoglutarate
- PureBulk : L-Arginine HCL L-Ornithine HCL
