What Is Used For

What Is Glycine Used For

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Glycine is a non-essential amino acid with a wide range of uses in health, nutrition, and medicine[5].

Key uses and benefits of glycine include:

  • Promoting antioxidant formation: Glycine is critical for synthesizing glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that protects cells from oxidative stress[1].
  • Supporting muscle, joint, and tissue health: It is required for the creation of creatine and collagen, making it important for muscle growth, joint repair, and connective tissue maintenance[3].
  • Reducing inflammation: Glycine helps lower inflammation by acting as a precursor to important antioxidants and by inhibiting harmful inflammatory molecules[3].
  • Liver protection: Glycine can help protect the liver from alcohol-induced damage and toxins by reducing inflammation and supporting detoxification processes[1][3].
  • Cardiovascular benefits: Higher glycine levels have been linked to a lower risk of heart disease and heart attack, likely due to its anti-inflammatory effects[1][3][5].
  • Blood sugar regulation: Glycine can enhance insulin response and may help in the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes[1].
  • Improving sleep quality: Studies indicate that glycine supplementation before bedtime can enhance sleep quality, especially in people with insomnia[1][5].
  • Neurotransmitter activity: In the central nervous system, glycine acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter and is being researched for supporting neurological conditions such as schizophrenia and stroke recovery[4][6].
  • Wound healing and skin health: Glycine can be applied to the skin for wound and ulcer healing, and it is also important for skin integrity due to its role in collagen synthesis[2].
  • Supporting surgical procedures: Glycine irrigation solution is used in surgery to cleanse and improve visibility at the operative site[8].
  • Supporting athletic performance: Early-stage research suggests glycine may enhance muscle function, recovery, and peak power output in athletes, although more human studies are needed[7].

References

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