As well as better cognition, a balanced immune system, and healthy nerve cells…
Twenty-two amino acids – compounds containing both amino and carboxylic acid groups – are fundamental to human life.
We often think of these as the “building blocks” of proteins, as different combinations of amino acid chains create different proteins in the ribosomes of each of your cells. Most of these amino acids are naturally created within your body, while others can only be obtained through food.
Glycine is one of the amino acids that are naturally produced by your body. It can also be obtained through foods that are high in protein (and, by the way, many more vegetables are high in protein than is commonly thought, so eat your veggies). Glycine is commonly combined with magnesium, forming magnesium glycinate, because they share many complimentary benefits.
Glycine Promotes Nerve Health and Leads to Mental Calm
Glycine acts as a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, where it activates NMDA receptors.
The activation of NMDA receptors helps to keep your excitatory neurons’ firing rates under control. This prevents them from overuse, protecting nerve health and keeping your nervous system in good balance.
As well as relaxing your brain cells, this mechanism also helps to send calming signals to your muscles. As a result, glycine supplementation can induce a feeling of relaxation in both your mind and your body.
Activating these NMDA receptors also helps your body to relax by promoting peripheral vasodilation. Peripheral vasodilation leads to decreased blood pressure and heart rate, relaxation, and a lowering of the body temperature.
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How Glycine Leads to Better Sleep
All of these things signal to your body that you’re ready for sleep.
Indeed, glycine has been linked to better quality of sleep in both animal and human studies.
In one study of glycine’s effect on sleep, scientists used polysomnography – measurements of brain waves, heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and breathing – to observe sleep quality. They found that sleep quality was objectively better in the glycine group compared with a placebo group. Interestingly, the glycine group also reported subjective measures of better sleep, and had improved performance on cognitive tasks.
Glycine’s Immune-Boosting Properties
Glycine also decreases pro-inflammatory cytokines – the bodily proteins that help control your immune response – and lowers the risk of chronic inflammation. It’s thought that it achieves this by inhibiting the activation of a protein transcription factor heavily involved in the inflammatory response, nuclear factor kappa-B.
In doing so, glycine can support a balanced immune system.
Glycine further supports the immune system by bolstering the effects of antioxidants. Glycine is a key component of glutathione, one of your body’s most powerful antioxidants, which protects cells from oxidative stress and promotes healthy cell functioning.
Enhancing Your Body’s Natural Functions
The amino acid glycine is crucial for our regular functioning, and the benefits of glycine supplementation have been shown to improve sleep and cognition, and bring balance to the immune system.
Dietary supplementation with glycine can support your body’s natural glycine production, bringing you closer to your mission. Discover the benefits of glycine supplementation with our unique magnesium glycinate-conttaining formula, MitoMag.
