Glycine is a non-essential amino acid, meaning the body produces it naturally, though dietary sources support optimal health. As the simplest amino acid (with just a hydrogen side chain), it serves versatile roles:
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Supporting neural health as an inhibitory neurotransmitter, calming nerve excitability to improve sleep, cognition, and motor control
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Acting as a metabolic precursor for creatine (muscle energy), heme (oxygen transport), purines (DNA/RNA), and glutathione (master antioxidant)
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Promoting detoxification and repair by aiding bile acid synthesis, collagen production (skin/joints), and wound healing
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Maintaining metabolic balance through glucose regulation and protein synthesis
Rich dietary sources of glycine include: meat, fish, dairy, legumes, bone broth, gelatin, and grains.
Low glycine levels may disrupt sleep, weaken antioxidant defenses, impair muscle recovery, slow tissue repair, and increase oxidative stress.