Higo AKG GN Men's Formula Review
Product Focus: Kidney Health
Tier ⓘ
Tier 4 · Rank 2
Tier 4 · Emerging. A promising mechanism or animal data, with thin human evidence so far. Rank 2 within Tier 4 for Kidney Health; 4 of 8 overall. Tiers run from 1, the strongest evidence, to 5. How we grade →
Evidence ⓘ
43 /100
How strongly the evidence says this product works: human studies count most, then real reviews, then our biohacker panel.
Positive Reviews
95% of 799
Biohacker Mentions
0 of 10
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Study, Trial or Testing Result Summary
Members Only10 human studies · 1 improved
10 human studies1 improved6 no effect22,378 people studied
This product's main ingredient is alpha-ketoglutarate at 1200 milligrams, plus a 550 milligram blend whose contents and amounts are not disclosed. No studies of either were provided for kidney health, so we cannot say whether they help the kidneys. The only ingredient with research here is vitamin A, at 900 micrograms a day. Its findings are mixed. In four small, low-quality trials of children with kidney infection, vitamin A cut the risk of kidney scarring by about half [1]. In adults with kidney disease from diabetes, antioxidant mixes that included vitamin A lowered protein leakage in the urine but did not clearly improve how well the kidneys filter [2]. Vitamin A related drugs lowered cancer return, including in kidney cancer, but did not help people live longer [3]. In people with diabetes on dialysis, low blood vitamin A was linked to a higher risk of death [4]. However, in another dialysis group, high blood vitamin A was linked to anemia, and the authors advised against vitamin A supplements for dialysis patients [5]. Most studies of vitamin A showed no effect on the kidneys. Animal and cell studies are never counted.
See all 10 studies →Hide the studies
- Across 39 trials of 15,627 cancer patients, retinoids lowered recurrence and improved clinical response, with benefit seen in renal cell carcinoma, but did not improve overall survival.Retinoids in cancer chemoprevention and therapy: Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
- In 14 studies of 4,345 adults with diabetic kidney disease, antioxidant supplements (vitamin A among others) lowered albuminuria but had no clear effect on kidney filtering rate.Antioxidant agents for delaying diabetic kidney disease progression: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
- In four trials of 248 children with kidney infection, vitamin A cut the risk of kidney damage on scans by about half compared with placebo over about 5 months, though study quality was low.The effect of vitamin A on renal damage following acute pyelonephritis in children: a meta-analysis of randomized contro…
- A review of 10 studies found that low maternal vitamin A, folate and energy during pregnancy were linked to poorer kidney structure and function in children.The Relationship between Maternal Nutrition during Pregnancy and Offspring Kidney Structure and Function in Humans: A Sy…
- In 1177 people with diabetes on hemodialysis followed for a median of about 4 years, low blood retinol levels were strongly linked to higher risk of death and sudden cardiac death.Impact of vitamin A on clinical outcomes in haemodialysis patients.
- In a cross-sectional study of 803 older Mexican adults, low vitamin A was linked to anemia driven by inflammation, not to kidney disease, which was a separate cause of anemia.Etiology of Anemia in Older Mexican Adults: The Role of Hepcidin, Vitamin A and Vitamin D.
- In 106 kidney transplant recipients, those taking mycophenolate mofetil had significantly lower blood retinol, with gastrointestinal problems possibly reducing vitamin A absorption.Effect of clinical condition and mycophenolate mofetil on plasma retinol, α-tocopherol and β-carotene in renal transplan…
- In 47 people on regular dialysis, higher blood vitamin A levels were linked to anemia, and the authors concluded that vitamin A supplements should not be given to dialysis patients.Hypervitaminosis A toxicity in regular hemodialysis patients.
- In kidney cancer tumor tissue from 6 people, vitamin A concentration was the same as in healthy kidney tissue, while vitamin E was much higher in the tumors.[Content of vitamins E and A in tumor tissue in kidney cancer].
- In 4 people with chronic kidney failure taking etretinate for psoriasis, the parent drug reached higher peak blood levels than in 4 people without kidney failure, and its elimination time was about the same, so kidney failure raised drug exposure.Etretinate pharmacokinetics in chronic renal failure. A preliminary study in psoriasis patients.
Review Totals and Summary
Members Only799 reviews · 95% positive
799 reviews · Google Shopping 799
95% positive0% neutral5% negative
Extensive customer reviews and qualitative feedback are currently being aggregated for this product. Check back soon for a detailed sentiment analysis.
Biohacker Summary
Members Only0 of 10 recommend it
0 of 10 biohackers on our panel recommend it
The panel is mixed but leans positive on vitamin A: three of the ten lean toward recommending it, one takes a daily multivitamin that includes it, and the rest stay neutral. Panelists take it for vision, skin, gut repair, and immune and mucus support, and several say it comes through multivitamins or foods like liver, eggs, dairy, and cod liver oil. Two of them prefer real, ready-to-use vitamin A (retinol) over plant forms, and one said a fear of retinol led him to take almost none for years, which he now calls a big mistake. One panelist suggests 50,000 units for three to five days at the first sign of illness, while another warns that synthetic vitamin A can compete with vitamin D, raise the risk of birth defects in pregnancy, and raise the risk of bone fractures. Another cautions that huge doses with regular alcohol and no blood tests could cause liver problems.
See all 9 biohackers →Hide the biohackers
Dr. Eric Berg · Vitamin A · neutral
- Mentions that the body relies on healthy fats to absorb essential vitamins like A, D, E, and K, which help support skin health, moisture, and normal cell function.
- Warns against generic multivitamins, stating they are often full of fillers and synthetics.
- Notes that low vitamin A can lead to dry eyes, dry mouth, and night vision issues.
- Mentions that grass-fed liver has the active form of vitamin A, called retinol, which is important for eyes, thyroid, immune system, and skin.
- Dr. Berg warns that synthetic vitamin A can cause problems, including competing with vitamin D, increasing the risk of birth defects during pregnancy, and increasing the risk of bone fractures, recommending food sources like egg yolks and cod liver oil instead.
- Mentions vitamin A deficiency as a possibility for dry mouth, but emphasizes that vitamin A doesn't work without zinc.
- Warns that many people mistake beta-carotene for vitamin A, but most of it does not convert into the active form.
- Explains that Vitamin A is essential for healthy skin, eyes, and mucous membranes, helping to maintain protective barriers throughout the body.
- Warns that many people mistake beta-carotene for vitamin A, but it is a precursor and most of it does not convert into the active form.
- States that vitamin A is essential for healthy skin, eyes, and mucous membranes, helping to maintain protective barriers throughout the body.
Ben Greenfield · Vitamin A · neutral
- Notes that Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that supports healthy skin cell turnover.
- Recommends vitamin A derivatives like retinol for targeting wrinkles and laxity, as they work deeper without aggravating the surface.
- Advises people not to miss information about vitamin A or beta carotene, suggesting that the evidence against it was accidental and that these are synthetic analogs to what is in food.
- Warns that supplementing with huge doses of vitamin A while drinking alcohol on a regular basis without blood tests could create liver issues, despite alcohol being a vitamin A activator.
- Recommends Hiya's best-selling children's vitamin for kids to get the full-body nourishment they need.
- Uses the 10x Health Multivitamin Mineral Mix, which has extra goodies added, taking it after one of his other meals.
- Notes that vitamin A palmitate is a fat-soluble vitamin added to the product.
- Uses about 1 tablespoon of MaryRuth Organics multivitamin formula in his DIY elemental smoothie.
- Warns of vitamin A deficiency on a carnivore diet if organ meats are not included, as most muscle meat is a poor source of bioavailable vitamin A.
- Recommends Vitamin A as a critical nutrient for adrenal gland support, suggesting sources like cod liver oil.
Dr. Mark Hyman · Vitamin A · neutral
- Mentions that vitamin A levels can be looked at to get a deep sense of what's happening with nutrient levels.
- Recommends taking 50,000 units of vitamin A for three to five days right at the onset of symptoms if one feels they might be getting sick.
- Notes that night blindness is caused by vitamin A deficiency.
- Mentions vitamin A as something that might be helpful for gut repair.
- Recommends Vitamin A as a nutrient to help repair a leaky gut.
- Recommends vitamin A as a nutrient essential for skin health, obtainable from food.
- Lists Vitamin A as important for immune defense and vision.
- Recommends vitamin A for targeted support in healing the gut and recalibrating the immune system.
- Dr. Hyman cites a national study indicating that 45% of the population is deficient in vitamin A.
- Recommends Vitamin A as a gut healing nutrient.
Siim Land · Vitamin A · neutral
- Lists liver and carrots as sources of Vitamin A.
- States that the biggest evidence for multivitamin is that it improves cognition and enhances episodic memory in elderly people, who tend to have worse diets and are more likely to be deficient.
- Created Microvitamin, a supplement that bundled all the supplements he was taking, to help fund his a med trial.
- Places multivitamins in the 'good' tier, noting that while formulations vary and they don't reduce mortality risk, clinical trials show they can help with cognitive function in elderly people, though generally healthy individuals may not gain much.
- Discusses multivitamins, stating that while they can fill nutritional gaps, they are not a magic bullet for longevity and a targeted approach with specific supplements is often better.
- Notes that vitamin A was possibly associated with increased mortality risk in a Cochrane review, but the risk is extremely small (1-3%) and he doesn't think anyone really needs vitamin A supplementation.
- Places multivitamins in the 'good tier', noting that while formulations vary, they can help with cognitive function in elderly people by providing daily vitamins and minerals. He states that generally healthy individuals have little to gain from them.
- Recommends Vitamin A for appropriate antioxidant signaling during detox to prevent the body from being taxed by additional stress.
- Does not notice an effect from a multivitamin.
- Notes that randomized control trials have shown that vitamin A intake was associated with higher mortality.
Dave Asprey · Vitamin A · recommends
- Recommends real vitamin A for people on the spectrum, noting that many cannot convert plant vitamin A and need the good stuff he includes in his Vitam DAKNE product.
- Takes Vitamin DAKE from Suppgrade Labs because D3, A, K2, and E work together.
- Includes vitamin K2 as a critical ingredient in Vitamin DAKE, stating that the body needs the right fat soluble vitamins for thousands of reactions.
- Mentions Vitamin DAKE from Suppgrade Labs as a product that combines fat-soluble vitamins D, A, K, and E to work together.
- Used to take almost no preformed vitamin A due to fear of retinol toxicity, which they now consider a big mistake.
- Recommends looking at basics like vitamin D, A, K, and minerals 101 after dialing in thyroid and sex hormones, as they are affordable and support everything.
- States that Vitamin DAK from SelfDecode is one of the two biggest supplements he makes, considering it foundational for overall wellness.
- Recommends taking vitamin D with vitamin A.
- Uses Vitamin A supplements that he makes for himself and his company, Upgrade Labs, to support mitochondrial function.
- Dave recommends essential supplements like Vitamin A that fuel optimal brain function.
Dr. Rhonda Patrick · Vitamin A · neutral
- Lutein and zeaxanthin can also be obtained from certain multivitamins.
- Choosing a multivitamin that includes lutein and zeaxanthin ensures you get meaningful amounts every day.
- Suggests avoiding a multivitamin if it contains biotin before a testosterone blood test to prevent confounding results.
- Multiple randomized controlled trials show older adults taking a standard multivitamin (like Centrum Silver) had measurable improvements in processing speed, cognition, and episodic memory.
- Currently takes the Pure Encapsulations O.N.E Multivitamin.
- Vitamin A is important for the maturation and function of epithelial tissues and immune cells, and its deficiency is associated with impaired barrier function, altered immune responses, and increased susceptibility to a range of infections.
- Notes that results for high endurance training were more promising when vitamin C was given along with additional antioxidants such as vitamin E and beta carotene.
- Dr. Patrick states that people with gene polymorphisms in the BCMO1 gene can supplement with the active form of vitamin A, not beta-carotene, but warns against taking too much as it can be toxic at high doses.
- Dr. Patrick states that her smoothie, containing carrots, has around 54 milligrams of beta-carotene, which has antioxidant activity and can be converted into vitamin A, important for normal immune system function and vision.
- Dr. Patrick warns that individuals at high risk for lung cancer due to excessive smoking or asbestos exposure should avoid high doses of vitamin A supplementation because it has been shown to accelerate carcinogenesis in this specific population.
Thomas DeLauer · Vitamin A · recommends
- Recommends vitamin A, obtainable from eggs, dairy, and liver, as a raw material for goblet cells to produce mucus.
- Recommends using a multivitamin to ensure adequate micronutrient intake, especially when wholesome food is less available.
- Advises checking multivitamins because many contain 100, 200, or 300% of the daily value of selenium, which can contribute to excessive intake.
- Recommends taking a multivitamin to ensure adequate intake of important cofactors like B vitamins, magnesium, iron, and zinc, which are essential for the signaling system to be operational.
- Notes that cod liver oil is biased towards vitamin A, and that Sir Edward Melon, who discovered vitamin D, called vitamin A the anti-infective vitamin.
- Recommends a multivitamin stack, specifically Fyhealth, for those who are fasting, as it helps ensure adequate nutrition when calorie and food intake are reduced.
- Warns against synthetic multivitamins, arguing that they are an attempt to be smarter than nature by combining isolated nutrients in proportions not found naturally, and that a whole food approach is superior.
- Recommends vitamin A, particularly in its food matrix form from liver, for combating fatty liver disease, reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in liver cells, and protecting against metabolic stress.
- Recommends Hiya multivitamins for kids, describing them as monk fruit sweetened chewable vitamins that provide essential vitamins and minerals children might miss in their diet.
- Recommends Thi Health's multi-stage multivitamin, which is broken into AM and PM stacks and uses micro encapsulation beads for delayed absorption, ensuring compounds like magnesium and calcium don't compete.
Andrew Huberman · Vitamin A · uses
- Takes a multivitamin every day for longevity.
- Found the Met RX Big 100 Bar to be 'magic' on the trail because it's a hunk of calories with protein and fortified with vitamins and minerals, despite being something they would never eat in normal life.
- Highlights Vitamin A as essential for vision and recommends it for supporting vision.
- Mentions that the process of converting light into electrical signals in the retina requires vitamin A, a fat-soluble vitamin, and carotenoids, which is why carrots are said to help vision.
- Mentions that Vitamin A hits cytochrome 5 in the mitochondrial electron transport chain, contributing to energy production.
- Discusses retinol, a derivative of vitamin A, as a highly recommended treatment by dermatologists for youthful skin, noting its ability to stimulate collagen production and replace old skin, with some dermatologists suggesting its use from one's 20s.
- Huberman states that vitamin A is essential for the phototransduction cascade and recommends getting enough from nutrition, such as dark green leafy vegetables or liver, rather than relying on supplements unless necessary.
- Highlights Vitamin A as having independent mechanisms helpful for recovery, typically covered in most multivitamins.
- Notes that retinoic acid, a cream-based treatment for acne, is a derivative of vitamin A.
- Mentions Vitamin A as a compound that may assist in supporting visual health and possibly improve vision.
Peter Attia · Vitamin A · neutral
- Notes that in mouse studies, there was a combined effect of alpha ketoglutarate with vitamin A for male mice.
- In mouse studies, Peter Attia's team found a combined effect of AKG with Vitamin A for male mice.
- Mentions that a lot of the profound transformation of a cell into a sperm, specifically the making of a tail, is vitamin A driven.
- Notes that antioxidants like vitamins A, C, and E have been looked at for cataract formation but have shown no effect.
- States that antioxidants like vitamins A, C, and E have been looked at for cataract formation but have had no effect.
- Recommends Vitamin A as a nutrient the body needs to heal the gut.
- Suggests that taking vitamin A would almost assuredly not be required if one eats a balanced diet.
RAL Summary
Members OnlyTier 4 for Kidney Health
The second tier rests on vitamin A, a minor nutrient in this product, while the main ingredient (alpha-ketoglutarate, 1200 mg) has no studies given, and even the vitamin A evidence is mixed, with 1 of 10 studies showing improvement and 6 showing no effect. So it is graded Tier 4, lower than the rules alone gave.
- Emerging: not enough evidence to rank higher yet.
Where the evidence disagrees: 6 of the 10 human studies found no effect.
More Details
Members OnlyBody systems · Combine with · Possible side effects
Body systems: Urinary system, Blood
Combine with: Combine with a healthy diet and lifestyle.
Possible side effects: In people on dialysis, higher blood vitamin A was linked to anemia, and the study authors advised against vitamin A supplements for them. No written reviews could be read, so review-reported side effects are unknown.
Supplement Facts
Vitamin A 900 mcg RAE · GNAKG 1200 mg · Proprietary Blend 550 mg
Supplement Facts
Serving Size 2 Tablet(s)
Servings Per Container 30
Amount Per Serving% Daily Value
| Vitamin A | 900 mcg RAE | |
| GNAKG | 1,200 mg | † |
| Proprietary Blend | 550 mg | † |
† Daily Value not established.
Other ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Maltodextrin, Magnesium Stearate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Silica, Titanium Dioxide, Blue #2.
Directions: Directions: As a dietary supplement for adults, take two (2) tablets once per day in the morning. This product is best taken on an empty stomach.
Barcode (UPC) 810121691755 · Label source: NIH label database · Report a label change
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Graded November 14, 2026 by the Reverse Age Lab evidence engine, from human studies, real reviews and our biohacker panel. How we grade. Is this medical advice? No. Rala organizes the published evidence; go over any change with your doctor, especially if you take meds.
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