Detoxification
Glycine and glutathione
Glycine is an amino acid that has been found to be a good substitute for glutathione, a molecule that plays a crucial role in the body's detoxification process.
Glutathione is a tripeptide molecule that is made up of three amino acids: glycine, cysteine, and glutamic acid. It is found in nearly every cell in the body and is involved in a wide range of biological processes, including the detoxification of harmful substances, the synthesis of DNA and proteins, and the regulation of the immune system.
However, the body's ability to produce glutathione naturally decreases with age, and various diseases and environmental factors can further deplete its levels. This can lead to a variety of health problems, including liver disease, lung disease, and neurodegenerative disorders.
Glycine, on the other hand, is readily available in the diet and can be easily absorbed by the body. It has been found to have many of the same beneficial effects as glutathione, and can help to support the body's natural detoxification processes.
For example, studies have shown that glycine can protect the liver from damage caused by alcohol and other toxins. It has also been found to improve the symptoms of liver disease, such as jaundice and liver enlargement.
Overall, glycine is a good substitute for glutathione due to its ability to support the body's natural detoxification processes and promote overall health. While it is important to maintain healthy levels of glutathione in the body, supplementing with glycine can help to support these processes and protect against a variety of health problems.
Immune Support & Anti-inflammatroy
In addition, glycine has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects, which can help to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer. It has also been found to help to support healthy immune function.
Connective Tissue & Skin Health
Another one of glycine's benefits is to help prevent 'wear and tear' of aging. Our skin, tendons, ligaments, bones and cartilage are all made up of collagen. Collagen is a peptide that conisists of 3 amino acids: glycine, proline and hydroxyproline. Therefore, supplementing with glycine is extrememly beneficial to maintaining the structure and function of your joints and the integrity of our skin. However, if your main purpose is to support your joints, then adding collagen peptides is important.
Sleep
Glycine promotes healthy sleep. Taking glycine alone (without other sources of protein or amino acids) can increase its ability to get into the brain and aid in sleep. Not only does it have a calming effect, it also improves sleep quality and can make you feel more rested even on the same amount of sleep.
Blood Glucose Control
About 3-5g of glycine taken before a meal helps to stabilise blood glucose levels. Fluctuating blood sugar can lead to metabolic dysfunction and cause insulin resistance.
Glycine:Methionine Ratio
Balancing the amount of glycine and methionie we get from our diets is critical for our mental and physical health as well as helping our bodies recovery from injury, and preventing degenerative diseases that are associated with aging.
For those consuming an omnivorous diet, plenty of methionine is provided from meat and unless glycine rich foods such as collagen, bones, skin and gelatine are eaten regularly, glycine is likely to be low. A simple way to balance the glycine:methionine ratio is to supplement with pure glycine.
Glycine is rich in skin, bones and cartilage of animal foods. While our ancestors ate 'nose-to-tail', the modern diet of most of us today excludes these foods. As a result, our glycine levels are lower than what is optimal for health.
Glycine rich foods include:
If yoiur diet is low in the above, you will likely experience benefits from glycine.
Glycine can be used in the following ways:
Studies have been done at dosages of up to 90g per day with very little adverse side effects except for mild gastrointestinal discomfort.