Glycine is an amino acid, a building block for protein. It is not considered an “essential amino acid” because the body can make it from other chemicals. A typical diet contains about 2 grams of glycine daily. The primary sources are protein-rich foods including meat, fish, dairy, and legumes.
Contents
Uses
- Glycine is used for treating schizophrenia, stroke, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and some rare inherited metabolic disorders.
- It is also used to protect kidneys from the harmful side effects of certain drugs used after organ transplantation as well as theliver from harmful effects of alcohol.
- Other uses include cancer prevention and memory enhancement.
- Some people apply glycine directly to the skin to treat leg ulcers and heal other wounds.
Benefits
- Basic Functions: Glycine is important for the construction of healthy DNA and RNA strands, which are the genetic building blocks that are necessary for the proper function of your body’s cells. Glycine is one of the three amino acids that forms creatine, which can help to promote muscle growth and energy production during exercise. Glycine is also the primary component of collagen, the non-contractile connective tissue that makes up most of your skin, tendons, and ligaments.
- Metabolism: Glycine acts as a glucogenic amino acid, meaning it can help your body regulate blood sugar levels and provide glucose to various body tissues for energy. Glucogenic amino acids control the amount of blood sugar that is released into your bloodstream from your liver and fat stores, and regulates the amount of glucose that is taken up by your skeletal muscles to be used for energy. As a result, glycine supplementation may benefit people suffering from hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, anemia, and chronic fatigue.
- Digestive System: Your digestive system relies on glycine in order to function normally. Glycine is found in high concentrations in your gallbladder and assists in the production of bile, which is a substance used to digest dietary fatty acids. Glycine is a common ingredient in antacids because of its ability to balance the acid-base ratio in your digestive tract, according to a 2006 study published in the “Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences.”
- Nervous System: According to the book, “Anabolic Primer,” glycine is best known for its effects on your nervous system. Glycine affects the production of brain neurotransmitters, which are essential for maintaining normal brain function and emotions. Glycine supplementation may also help treat symptoms associated with sleep deprivation. In a 2007 study published in the journal “Sleep and Biological Rhythms,” investigators found that glycine supplementation improved both subjective and objective measures of sleep quality in patients who experienced continuously unsatisfactory sleep.
Cautions
- Glycine seems to be safe for most people when taken by mouth or applied to the skin. Most people do not experience side effects, although there have been a few reports ofnausea, vomiting, stomach upset, and drowsiness.
- Special Precautions & Warnings:
- Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of glycine during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Interactions
- Clozapine (Clozaril) interacts with GLYCINE
- Clozapine (Clozaril) is used to help treat schizophrenia.
- Taking glycine along with clozapine (Clozaril) might decrease the effectiveness of clozapine (Clozaril).
- It is not clear why this interaction occurs yet. Do not take glycine if you are taking clozapine (Clozaril).
- Consult with your doctor.
Other names
Acide Aminoacétique, Acide Amino-Acétique, Aminoacetic Acid, Athenon, Free Base Glycine, G Salt, Glicina, Glycine de Base Libre, Glycocoll, Glycosthene, Iconyl, L-Glycine, Monazol
References
Source: LiveStrong, http://www.livestrong.com/article/508708-use-of-l-glycine-by-the-human-body/