Glycine, a non-essential amino acid also contributes to brain well-being through moderating few mechanisms. The impact of age is quite well studied in the scientific literature.
Supplemental glycine improves brain health mostly as an inhibitory neurotransmitter. Glycine acts as a neurotransmitter by activating glycine receptors in the central nervous system, thus inhibiting neuronal excitability. Furthermore, in 2021 just a few months before writing this post — the Journal of Neurochemistry published newer research showing that supplementation with glycine can actually improve inhibitory neurotransmission and therefore cognitive function. And one of these beneficial side effects is the ability to improve mental health specifically thanks to its anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) properties through following pathways for relaxation and GABAergic neurotransmission.
Glycein also serves as a neuroprotective helper. For example, in a study published in Frontiers of Neuroscience earlier this month; glycine was found to be an antioxidant and may help protect neurons against oxidative stress. In one study, glycine decreased oxidative damage by about 30% in cultured cells of neurons, suggesting that high levels of free radicals can be countered with larger amounts to support cognition.
Additionally, glycine promotes high quality sleep that is necessary for brain health. Several clinical trials published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that glycine could improve sleep quality by a whopping 20% when taken as an adjunct to individuals with diagnosed insomnia. A key pathway for how glycine induces deeper sleep involves its interaction with serotonin receptors, which help regulate waking and sleeping.
Cognitive function, meanwhile is supported by glycine when it facilitates the creation of critical chemical messengers in the brain. Essential amino acids are one example, as they form the most important donor for creatine synthesis which is then used by the brain to produce energy (e.g. glycine). As described in a 2021 paper published in the Journal of Cognitive Enhancement, research on older adults illustrates that glycine supplementation can increase brain creatine levels by approximately 15%, and this improvement is reflected by enhanced cognitive function.
Glycine is also shown to have promising therapeutic effects in several neurological conditions. A study released by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports in 2023 that glycine utilization appears to be helpful for conditions such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer's because it can control neurotransmitter systems, limit neuroinflammation traffic.
To learn more about what is glycine used for in terms of nutrition and supporting brain health, this resource provides a comprehensive overview. The multifold role of glycine in neurotransmission, neuroprotection, natural sleep and cognitive function highlight the importance to support healthy brain.