Revive & Build

Glycine The Anti-inflammatory and Healing Amino Acid

Glycine is regarded as a non-essential amino acid as it can be produced in the liver. This has led to it being largely overlooked as a valuable nutritional supplement. In reality the liver's ability to produce optimum amounts of glycine is often limited. This can be due to the liver operating below par, a very common state for those in less than optimum health. so restricting glycine production. The other main reason for low glycine status is consuming concentrated proteins such as eggs and meat. Methionine, the amino acid found in protein foods, needs glycine to detoxify it's end products. Glycine is found in the skin and collagenous rich parts of animals and bone. It is almost totally absent in muscle meats. It is interesting to note that longevity studies that indicate calorie restriction can extend life have found the same thing for methionine restriction.

Glycine (and only glycine) can detoxify excess SAM-e*, which all excess methionine is turned into. Otherwise, harmful excessive methylations can occur, resulting in the formation of such reactive and toxic substances as formaldehyde, which causes oxidative stress by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) that cause cellular ageing and need to be neutralised by anti-oxidants.

*SAM-e - S-Adenosyl methionine is a common cosubstrate involved in methyl group transfers, transsulfuration, and aminopropylation. Although these anabolic reactions occur throughout the body, most SAM-e is produced and consumed in the liver.

Although anti-oxidants from fruits and other foods are helpful in combating oxidative stress, the body’s main anti-oxidant molecule is called glutathione. Glutathione is a molecule made up of three amino acid molecules, one of which is glycine. Therefore, when methionine intake is high, the body needs extra glycine for two reasons: to directly detoxify the extra SAM-e, and to combat the higher level of oxidative stress by making more glutathione. The activation of the methionine clearance pathway also activates the pathways for the synthesis of glycine, but the body cannot keep up, because the consumption of glycine is too low! Combining glycine and selenium is a good way to improve glutathione synthesis.

Inflammation

Researchers have found 10 g daily of glycine is tremendously effective in stopping inflammation. As glycine aids sleep it may be better to consume in the evening. Glycine dissolves easily in a little juice or water. Glycine is complimentary to hydrolysed collagen as per the article above. Since hydrolysed collagen contains various nutrients along with 30% Glycine that work together for repair and maintenance of all the numerous collagen structures of the body (along with vitamin C as included in our Revive & Build).Taking hydrolysed collagen alone however (unless consumed in very large doses) does not provide optimum levels of glycine and works out as an expensive option. So taking some hydrolysed collagen, glycine and vitamin C provides broad spectrum anti-inflammatory anti-oxidant (via generation of glutathione) and healing support. Adding Selenium further increases the generation of glutathione.

Inflammation and autoimmune disorders

Auto-immune disorders occur when the immune system mistakes its own tissues as foreign and mounts an inappropriate attack on those tissues. Overblown inflammation is a common thread in these chronic conditions. Many chronic health disorders are increasingly being recognised as having an autoimmune component, including diseases traditionally recognised as 'degenerative' such as Alzheimer's and certain circulatory disorders.

From the perspective of this article, the important point is that the end result in many cases of chronic autoimmune disorders is excessive unremitting inflammation. The fact that this inflammation can be overcome with glycine is a remarkable progress in the understanding and defeat of autoimmune diseases. Supplementation with hydrolysed collagen, Vitamin C and glycine should be undertaken by all of those with with autoimmune disorders. For example; in the cases of arthritis, fairly rapid improvements have been obtained by those using this combination. The first stage of improvement, being quite rapid, is due to elimination of inflammation of the joints. Following on over a period of months will be the repair of the cartilage around the joint. Organic Silicon is a useful adjunct during this stage. As a further example; chronic asthma, where the reduction of inflammation of the bronchial tubes will quickly result in improvements in the condition and over a longer period help to strengthen repair the collagen of the bronchial linings resulting in longer term improvement.

This combination of supplements is a useful broad-spectrum, long term, protection against all chronic diseases developing. 

Below we offer 3 You Tube links, where Dr. Joel Brind Ph,D, CEO and President of Life Food Science, talks extensively about glycine,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ni7wkPJKJfU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVBkvp8kejk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mO3YaY1NMzI

Dr. Brind discusses diabetes and how to help reverse it by reducing metabolic inflammation attacking the beta cells of the pancreas with glycine as it reverses metabolic inflammation. Studies have found that those with higher insulin resistance have less glycine in their blood. He states that the major reason for cardio-vascular disease is from inflammation mainly due to glycine deficiency.

Glycine in relation to cardio-vascular disease

It has been known for many years that regular vitamin C consumption (a co-factor in collagen that has some minor anti-inflammatory effect) protects against cardio- vascular disease, especially of the blood vessels. Since vitamin C works with glycine to form collagen we can see the link here. Reducing inflammation that normally attacks the blood vessels and strengthening the integrity of of the blood vessels by supporting collagen formation. Blood vessels are mainly composed of collagen.

Dr. Brind, from years of studying glycine supplementation concludes that most chronic disease is routed in chronic inflammation, due mainly to a nutritional deficiency of glycine. Even that which is regarded as normal inflammation as a part of the healing process is a misconception. Inflammation should only occur when there is infection. An injured person with adequate glycine stores will temporarily experience swelling but not inflammation. A sunburn will rapidly heal.

Quoting from a Ray Peat article - Gelatin, stress, longevity  

Glycine and Growth Hormone

Growth hormone is extremely important in maintaining muscle tone and strength, and general body capability as we grow old. The following mentioned studies confirmed that glycine supplementation is effective in causing significant increase in growth hormone. Growth hormone becomes insufficient as we age and in fact is part of the ageing process.

In one study, 6.75 grams of glycine before sleep caused a three-fold increase in growth hormone. A second study, conducted by a Japanese research team, showed that 30 grams raised HGH levels ten times over baseline in patients who had gastric surgery.

They concluded that the facts demonstrated that glycine is one of the stimulatory agents inducing the pituitary gland to secrete growth hormone. Due to its ability to stimulate this production, glycine is primarily used to support muscle growth and repair and stimulate youthful effects on metabolism, bone growth and immunity.

Glycine and Cancer

Glycine has a tremendous effect on reducing inflammation as extensively detailed above. This action on its own will aid the body in overcoming various diseases including cancer. Inflammation creates free-radicals and hence cell and tissue damage and stress. Glycine is one of the factors promoting wound healing and tumor inhibition. It has a wide range of anti-tumor actions, including the inhibition of new blood vessel formation (angiogenesis), and it has shown protective activity in liver cancer and melanoma. Glycine along with other collagen building and strengthening nutrients such as gelatin (Ocean Repair) and vitamin C can be used as part of an anti-cancer protocol.

Other Benefits and Uses of Glycine

Useful in dampening hyperactive brain activity that produces spasms. In one study, just 1 gram of glycine a day for six months to one year significantly reduced spasms in all ten patients with severe chronic spasticity in the legs, including seven of whom had multiple sclerosis. 

Useful in increasing output in exercise workouts and further enhancing muscle tone.

Decreases brain excitability as well as mood and emotional symptoms associated with brain disorders such as hyperactivity, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and epilepsy*.

Supports energy production, memory, blood sugar management and prostate health, as shown in several studies.

Can be used as part of anti-ageing regime.

Improves sleep.

Helps with the breakdown of fat by regulating the concentration of bile acids. 

* One study focusing on treatment-resistant schizophrenic patients found that high-dose glycine in association with antipsychotic medication could significantly alleviate negative symptoms associated with this mental illness. These results are supported by similar studies investigating psychological disorders. Other studies have shown that glycine treatments can help to prevent seizures associated with epilepsy.

A final quote from the Ray Peat article - Gelatin, stress, longevity