Alpha-ketoglutarate (ionized Alpha-ketoglutarate acid, ketone derivative of glutaric acid). Involved in the metabolism of amino acids, oxidation, and transport of the nitrogen in the body. It accelerates the synthesis of components of food (anti-catabolism). In sports supplementation it is used in combination with arginine, glutamine and BCAA. As it is of excreting a toxic ammonia from the body - it is antitoxin. It is a part of sports pre- and post-training supplements, and anti-catabolic supplements and amino acid complexes.