Ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate (OKG) is not found naturally in the body. It is made from combining two amino acids, ornithine and alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG), which are thought to have important roles in metabolism.
OKG has been used for treating burns and wounds, to promote the production of muscle protein following trauma, stroke, or surgery, and to promote growth in children who are fed via intravenous tube for the long term (called long-term total parenteral nutrition, or TPN). It has been studied for recovery from major trauma or illness, as well as for brain disease. It is also often used to improve athletic performance or to build muscle, although more research is needed to confirm these effects.
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