The formulation question

Most NAD⁺ formulas focus on the precursor. We looked at the whole system.

It is a fair thing to notice. Our largest ingredient by weight — 1,360 mg of calcium alpha-ketoglutarate — is not an NAD⁺ precursor at all.

That is deliberate. NAD⁺ does not work alone in the cell, and a formula built around it should not either.

Established biology

Where α-KG sits

Inside your mitochondria, nutrients are processed through the Krebs cycle — eight steps that turn what you eat into usable cellular energy. Alpha-ketoglutarate is one of those eight steps.

Three times per turn of the cycle, NAD⁺ accepts electrons and becomes NADH.

A cell, with mitochondria surrounding the nucleus
The Krebs (TCA) cycle, showing where alpha-ketoglutarate sits A ring of eight metabolites connected clockwise by arrows. In order: citrate, isocitrate, alpha-ketoglutarate, succinyl-CoA, succinate, fumarate, malate and oxaloacetate, which returns to citrate. Three steps convert NAD+ to NADH. Two of the three sit either side of alpha-ketoglutarate: isocitrate to alpha-ketoglutarate, and alpha-ketoglutarate to succinyl-CoA. Both also release carbon dioxide. The third is malate to oxaloacetate. Succinate to fumarate converts FAD to FADH2, and succinyl-CoA to succinate converts GDP to GTP. The full step-by-step detail is in the numbered list below this diagram. aconitase isocitrate dehydrogenase α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase succinyl-CoA synthetase succinate dehydrogenase fumarase malate dehydrogenase citrate synthase NAD⁺ → NADH + CO₂ NADH NAD⁺ → NADH + CO₂ NADH GDP → GTP FAD → FADH₂ NAD⁺ → NADH Acetyl-CoA Citrate 1 Isocitrate 2 α-Ketoglutarate α-KG Succinyl-CoA 4 Succinate 5 Fumarate 6 Malate 7 Oxaloacetate 8

The eight steps

Select a step for the reaction, the enzyme that catalyses it, and what happens to NAD⁺.

Two of those three conversions happen on either side of α-KG.

α-KG is produced by a reaction that reduces NAD⁺ to NADH, and consumed by another that does the same. It is not a precursor. It is a neighbour.

Diagram describes established biochemistry. It does not describe an effect of this product.

Established biology

Four roles of α-KG

C₅H₆O₅ · alpha-ketoglutarate · also called 2-oxoglutarate

Skeletal structure of alpha-ketoglutarate A five-carbon chain drawn as a zig-zag. A carboxylic acid group at each end, and a ketone group on the second carbon. The molecular formula is C5H6O5 — carbon, hydrogen and oxygen only. O HO O O OH
  • 01

    Cellular energy metabolism

    α-KG is a key intermediate in the Krebs (TCA) cycle, the pathway cells use to process nutrients and support energy production.

  • 02

    Amino-acid metabolism

    α-KG and glutamate interconvert, linking energy metabolism to amino-acid metabolism and nitrogen handling.

  • 03

    Enzyme co-substrate

    α-KG is a required co-substrate for the α-KG-dependent dioxygenases, a family of enzymes involved in normal cellular regulation.

  • 04

    Collagen formation

    Enzymes in that same family carry out hydroxylation reactions required for collagen to form correctly.

What we know. What we're studying. And the difference between the two.

The foundational biochemistry of α-KG is textbook material. Much of what is exciting about it in the context of aging is not yet settled. We think you deserve to know which is which.

Established biochemistry

  • Central intermediate in the Krebs cycle
  • Interconverts with glutamate in amino-acid metabolism
  • Required co-substrate for α-KG-dependent dioxygenase enzymes
  • Participates in the hydroxylation reactions required for collagen formation

Under active investigation

  • Relationship with oxidative balance and antioxidant enzyme systems
  • Role in mitochondrial function under metabolic stress
  • Influence on immune-cell signalling — largely preclinical
  • Associations with markers of biological aging — early, mostly observational

Much of the evidence in the right-hand column comes from cell and animal studies. More human research is needed before anyone can say what α-KG supplementation does over a lifetime. We would rather tell you that than not.

Four questions we get asked

Why is the largest ingredient in an NAD⁺ formula not an NAD⁺ precursor?

Alpha-ketoglutarate is a Krebs-cycle intermediate rather than an NAD⁺ precursor. Of the three NAD⁺-to-NADH conversions in each turn of the cycle, two happen on either side of α-KG — it is produced by one reaction and consumed by another.

What is alpha-ketoglutarate?

Alpha-ketoglutarate — also called 2-oxoglutarate — is a five-carbon molecule, C₅H₆O₅, and one of the eight intermediates of the Krebs cycle. It interconverts with glutamate, and is a required co-substrate for the α-KG-dependent dioxygenase enzymes.

How much calcium alpha-ketoglutarate is in a serving?

Each serving provides 1,360 mg of calcium alpha-ketoglutarate. It is declared on the label outside the proprietary blend.

What does the research actually show?

The Krebs-cycle biochemistry is textbook material. Its relationship with oxidative balance, mitochondrial function under metabolic stress, immune-cell signalling and markers of biological aging is still under active investigation, largely in cell and animal studies. More human research is needed.

The architecture

Different roles. One cellular strategy.

NR + NMN NAD⁺ precursors
Ca-AKG Krebs-cycle intermediate
AKG PLUS™
NAC Cysteine for glutathione
Complementary nutrients Additional cellular pathways

Because NAD⁺ doesn't work alone. Neither should your formula.

NAD⁺ Activator is the product. AKG PLUS™ is how it is formulated.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.