PureBulk

What is Glycine?

Glycine is a nonessential amino acid necessary in forming muscle tissue and converting glucose into energy. It helps protect the health of the central nervous and digestive systems.

Glycine provides antioxidant protection to the body, helping to neutralize free radical molecules that can damage cell membranes.

Considered a glucogenic amino acid because it helps the body convert glucose into energy, glycine helps regulate blood sugar levels. Glycine is also necessary for a healthy digestive system. It aids in controlling and regulating the synthesis and production of the bile acid used to digest fats and is used in numerous commercial gastric antacids.

Glycine is derived from the alkaline hydrolysis of gelatin. It is a protein amino acid found in all life forms. Glycine is the simplest of the 20 natural amino acids.

Glycine is not an essential amino acid. In other words, the cells in the body can synthesize adequate amounts of the acid to meet its requirements. Glycine can also be synthesized from other amino acids in the liver and does not have to be obtained directly through the diet. Glycine can be synthesized from choline in the liver or kidney and from the amino acids threonine and serine. In the fasting state, it can be transformed back to serine. This is primarily used by the body to assist the liver in detoxification of compounds and to facilitate the synthesis of bile acids.

Glycine shares a similarity with gamma-aminobutyric acid and glutamic acid in its ability to inhibit neurotransmitter signals in the central nervous system.

Glycine helps prevent the breakdown of muscle by boosting creatine levels, a compound that helps build muscle mass. High levels of glycine are also found in the skin and other connective tissues. Collagen,which helps keeps the skin and connective tissue firm and flexible, is composed of glycine.

Due to its sweet taste, glycine is also used as a mild sweetener in foods or drugs.

Benefits of Glycine

Glycine is crucial for the synthesis of nucleic acids, bile acids, proteins, peptides, purines, adenosine triphosphate (ATP)(Wikipedia), porphyrins, hemoglobin, glutathione, creatine, bile salts, one-carbon fragments, glucose, glycogen and l-serine and other amino acids. Glucagon is a hormone responsible for converting glycogen in the liver to glucose for the body’s energy requirements. Glycine triggers and promotes the release of glucose into the blood stream by stimulating the glucagon hormone. Glycine is also an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, and can be found in high concentrations in the spinal cord.

Glycine enhances the activity of other neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) in the brain involved in memory and cognition. Glycine readily crosses the blood/brain barrier and is able to convert potentially harmful substances - including toxic phenolic materials such as benzoic acid (sodium benzoate) - into harmless forms.

Purity and Concentration of Glycine

Purebulk's glycine powder contains no fillers, taste additives or anti-caking agents.

Potential Side Effects of Glycine

Glycine is safe at suggested serving sizes, although some people have reported that taking the supplement causes stomach upset.

People with liver or kidney disease should not take this or any other amino acid supplement without first consulting their physician.

The body needs a supply of all the amino acids in order to effectively create and utilize proteins. When supplementing any of the amino acids, a balanced intake of the others is needed.

Suggested Use of Glycine

The suggested serving size for glycine is 1000 milligrams one to three times daily, depending upon individual needs. You can see the full bulk density/volumetric conversion chart for Glycine here.

Most people do not need to take glycine because the body can manufacture it. Follow your doctors advice when taking glycine as a supplemental if you have any serious health conditions.

Bioavailability, Mixing and Solubility of Glycine

This product dissolves quickly in water and has a sugar-like sweetness. Mix with water or citrus juice and drink.

How should I store it?

You will receive a resealable bag of this powder. Store in a cool, dry area protected from light. Reseal after each use.

Other Purebulk Products of Interest

Creatine powders such as Creatine Monohydrate

References & Further Research

Wikipedia: Glycine

NOTE: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

The information at Purebulk.com is NOT a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not use any dietary supplement as a replacement for conventional care, or as a reason to postpone seeing a doctor about a medical problem. Tell all your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates herbal and other dietary supplements differently than conventional medicines. The standards for supplements are found in the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), a federal law that defines dietary supplements and sets product-label­ing standards and health claim limits. To learn more about DSHEA, visit the FDA Web site.