Glycine is, structurally, the simplest amino acid that has been discovered. It was one of the earliest amino acids to be isolated from gelatin back in 1820. Glycine is one of the nonessential amino acids for mammals; meaning that they can create it internally from two other amino acids: serine and threonine.[1]
Glycine is found principally in gelatin and silk fibroin. It’s been used therapeutically as a nutrient, and also functions as a rapid inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS).[2] Although glycine is both a simple and nonessential amino acid; experimental animals on low-glycine diets show reduced growth.[1][2] The average adult will ingest 3 to 5 grams of glycine daily from dietary sources. [1] Glycine is an amino acid that’s involved in the production of DNA, phospholipids, and collagen. It’s also involved in the release of energy.[3]
Joint Repair: Glycine plays a vital role in collagen formation. It’s an important component for promoting joint, tendon, and ligament function and growth.[4] Roughly 1/3 of collagen in the body is composed of glycine, and collagen is critical for the formation of the connective tissues that keep joints flexible and capable of successfully withstanding shocks.[5]
Muscle Growth: The body uses glycine during the biosynthesis of creatine; which supplies all muscles with a source of fuel to repair damage and grow stronger.[6] It also provides cells with energy due to its role in converting dietary nutrient to help feed muscle tissues and may potentially boost:
Endurance
Strength
Performance
Glycine also benefits hormone production and regulation. It helps the body to naturally synthesize steroid hormones essential to regulating both the fat to muscle ratio and control energy expenditure.[7]
Anxiety: Glycine will work with other amino acids, including taurine and gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA), to act as an inhibitory neurotransmitter.[8] This role in nerve and neurotransmitter functions has implications for improving; sleep quality, mental performance, moods, memory, and behavior. Some evidence suggests that glycine may help reduce hyperactivity in the brain and play an effective role in the treatment and prevention of certain mental disorders, such as learning disabilities, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and epilepsy.[8] Other studies have demonstrated that glycine can help minimize psychotic symptoms and seizures when used with other supplements as part of a treatment plan for neurological illness.[9][10]
Digestion: Amino acids, including glycine, help to rebuild the tissue that lines the digestive tract;[11] keeping bacteria and food particles contained inside the gut, rather than exiting through tiny openings that pass this matter into the bloodstream where it can trigger an inflammatory response[12] Glycine plays a role in forming the two most important substances in the gut lining: collagen and gelatin.[12][13]
Inside the GI tract; glycine will be utilized as a metabolic fuel.[14] It’s required in the production of bile (to break down fats), nucleic acids, creatine phosphate and the porphyrins used to break down nutrients.[15] It helps move glycogen to the cells for the production of ATP for energy.[15] Studies show that glycine may help stabilize blood sugar levels, preventing food cravings and fatigue.[16]
Aging: Glycine is used to produce glutathione, an antioxidant that prevents cell damage and several signs of aging. A paper published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition concluded that; while glutathione deficiency in the elderly occurs because of a distinct reduction in glutathione synthesis; supplementing the diet with the glutathione precursors cysteine and glycine can restore normal glutathione production.[17]
Glutathione Injection
Taurine Injection
Arginine HCl Injection
Bi-Amino Injection
Lysine HCL Injection