Side-by-side comparison of mechanisms, dosing, interactions, and stacking potential.
| Calcium Alpha-Ketoglutarate (Ca-AKG) | Milk Thistle (Silymarin) | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Supplements | Supplements |
| Standard Dose | — | 200-400mg silymarin daily (standardized to 70-80% silymarin) |
| Timing | — | With meals. Split doses for higher amounts. Phytosome form can be taken without food. |
| Cycle Duration | — | Cycle 8-12 weeks for liver support; ongoing at low dose for maintenance |
| Evidence Level | Moderate (healthspan), Emerging (human longevity) | strong_human |
AKG is a TCA cycle intermediate that declines with age. Supplementation reduces inflammatory cytokines, improves stem cell function, and extends healthspan in mice. Calcium salt form provides sustained release. Also supports collagen synthesis and reduces frailty markers.
Silymarin is a complex of flavonolignans (silybin A, silybin B, silychristin, silydianin, isosilybin) with silybin being the most active. Hepatoprotective mechanisms: stabilizes hepatocyte cell membranes by altering outer lipid layer composition (preventing toxin penetration), stimulates ribosomal RNA polymerase I (accelerating hepatocyte protein synthesis and regeneration), inhibits NF-kB and TNF-alpha (anti-inflammatory), scavenges free radicals (both ROS and RNS), promotes glutathione synthesis (increases intracellular GSH by 35%), and inhibits hepatic stellate cell activation (anti-fibrotic). Silybin also activates AMPK and enhances bile flow.
200-400mg silymarin daily (standardized to 70-80% silymarin)
With meals. Split doses for higher amounts. Phytosome form can be taken without food.
Cycle 8-12 weeks for liver support; ongoing at low dose for maintenance
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