Before delving into the best glycine supplement, if it’s something your body needs, let us explore a bit more about what glycine is. It is an amino acid that all living organisms produce; ranging from the tiniest microbe to the mightiest tree.
All creatures share these 20 types of amino acids which make up approximately 20% of our total body mass or 50% of any solid matter in our bodies.
If you are curious about the many benefits of glycine and how it can improve your overall health and longevity, then this post is for you!
Here we will explore everything from how to take it, its potential healing qualities, as well as some great supplemental options that could potentially give your glycine levels a boost. So let’s start by looking at what effect glycine has on our bodies.
Table of Contents
What is Glycine?
Glycine is a non-essential amino acid that our bodies can craft with other substances, eliminating the need to get this nutrient from food. It’s an essential component in producing proteins which are necessary for sustaining and nurturing various tissues in your body as well as forming hormones and enzymes.
Glycine is an essential component of collagen, which can be found in various body sections like our muscles, skin, ligaments, cartilage, and bones.
If the glycine levels are insufficiently low in humans’ bodies then a decrease in the production of collagen may occur.
Beyond just being responsible for producing collagen, this amino acid also helps to detoxify organs by binding poisons as well as allowing stable nerve transmission throughout your central nervous system.
Glycine is known to manufacture glutathione, an invaluable antioxidant in our bodies that can help stave off ailments and inflammation as well as prevent cell harm.
Research has indicated that when glycine is taken at the right dosages, it could very likely be advantageous for individuals with metabolic disorders such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, or obesity.
Top 10 Foods Highest in Glycine
List of foods with the amount of glycine per 100 grams:
- Gelatin (powdered): 23.8 grams
- Seaweed (spirulina): 1.9 grams
- Parmesan cheese: 1.6 grams
- Pork (lean): 1.4 grams
- Chicken (lean): 1.4 grams
- Beef (lean): 1.3 grams
- Fish (halibut): 1.2 grams
- Pumpkin seeds: 1.1 grams
- Dairy (yogurt): 1.0 grams
- Soybeans: 0.8 grams
It’s important to note that the glycine content in foods may vary depending on the specific type and preparation method. Additionally, some of these foods may contain other amino acids that compete with glycine for absorption in the body.
Therefore, good glycine supplementation may still be necessary for some people who cannot obtain sufficient glycine from their diet alone.
7 Best Glycine Supplement Reviews
Best Naturals Glycine Supplement 1000 Mg – Best Overall
This statement from Best Naturals emphasizes the company’s dedication to providing high-quality nutritional supplements to help people lead healthy and happy lives.
The company expresses a commitment to upholding its values, which include a belief that there should be no compromise when it comes to health, and providing only the highest-quality supplements that meet industry standards.
In addition, Best Naturals prioritizes customer satisfaction by delivering products on time and creating a unique culture and work environment where ethics, honesty, and employee excellence are recognized and valued.
At Best Naturals, they offer a powerful supplement in an effortless capsule form. Each capsule contains 1000mg and provides you with beneficial doses!
The Best Naturals supplement is the ideal choice for those with dietary restrictions or preferences, as it’s non-GMO and gluten-free.
Plus, this product contains no artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives; in addition to being free from sugar, milk corn soy egg lactose gluten wheat yeast, and fish. This makes for a clean and pure option when seeking out supplements!
Furthermore, Best Naturals is committed to offering the highest quality Glycine supplement. To guarantee it meets their exacting standards, all products are 3rd party lab tested for purity and potency in an FDA-registered facility that follows stringent GMP compliance regulations here in the USA.
BulkSupplements – Best Glycine Powder Supplement
If you’re looking for a pure and clean supplement that supports overall wellness, BulkSupplements.com’s Glycine powder might just be the right product for you.
This amino acid supplement contains 1000mg of Glycine per serving, which is a key non-essential amino acid that the body uses for protein synthesis, creatine, and glutathione. Supplementing with Glycine powder may help support the levels of these compounds in your body.
What I love about this product is that it’s unflavored, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, and yeast-free, and has no added sugar, making it ideal for those with dietary restrictions.
You can add it to your shakes, smoothies, juice, or simply water without worrying about any artificial flavors. Just keep in mind that the contents are sold by weight, not volume, so you might need a gram scale to measure it accurately.
BulkSupplements.com’s Glycine powder is also manufactured according to cGMP Standards to ensure the highest quality for manufacturing, packaging, labeling, and holding operations.
The company works with a third-party laboratory that tests the products at multiple stages during production, from raw materials to finished products, to ensure compliance, standards, and consistency.
Life Extension – best Glycine Supplement for Seep
Life Extension Glycine 1000 mg is a dietary supplement that can promote relaxation, and healthy sleep, and support healthy glucose and fructose metabolism.
It is formulated with a higher dose of glycine than traditional supplements, which may provide maximum benefits. It is also needed for collagen production and helps preserve normal muscle mass and promote healthy body composition.
Life Extension Glycine 1000 mg is a revolutionary formula designed to help you live your healthiest life, promoting whole-body wellness. It’s non-GMO, gluten-free, and made in the USA with certificates of analysis for each product – so you can rest assured that it meets the highest standards.
Solgar Glycine 500 mg
Solgar Glycine 500 mg is a top-notch amino acid supplement formulated to help induce restful sleep and bolster the nervous system. This dietary supplement contains non-essential amino acids that serve as building blocks for proteins, supplying 500mg of free-form L-Glycine per capsule for maximum absorption by your body.
Solgar is the perfect solution if you’re looking to improve your sleep quality and duration. Its natural calming properties make it ideal for promoting peaceful rest, while its functional role in the nervous system helps support a healthy mood and mental clarity.
Plus, with regular use of this versatile amino acid supplement, you may find yourself feeling more energized and refreshed throughout the day.
Solgar is ideal for individuals on vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and kosher diets. Its lack of artificial flavors, sweeteners, preservatives, or colors makes it a great option for vegetarians too.
It has held its commitment to health, quality, and well-being for more than 70 years. Their mission is to craft the most exceptional nutritional supplements in small batches with only high-end raw materials and unrelenting research. With Solgar Glycine 500 mg, you can be certain that your supplement will provide optimal potency and efficacy!
NOW Foods
NOW Supplements is renowned for offering a vast selection of first-rate supplements at competitive prices – their glycine capsules are no exception. Plus, all of the company’s products are made in a GMP-certified facility that has been rigorously inspected and tested to ensure superior quality.
Not only that, but these pharmaceutical-grade capsules also do not contain any GMOs; they’re vegan-certified, kosher-approved, and free from corn, dairy egg soy gluten, and nuts! Now you can rest assured knowing your supplement choices will be safe and nutritious with NOW Supplements’ variety.
Pure Encapsulations
Pure Encapsulations Glycine is a high-quality amino acid supplement that supports liver and body detox, kidney function, brain health, and stress reduction.
Animal studies suggest that glycine plays a protective role for the kidneys and liver, especially in the detoxification of certain chemicals. Pure Encapsulations supplementation has also been shown to support healthy kidney and liver function, as well as nervous system health.
Moreover, Pure Encapsulations has the potential to support memory and mental function, as indicated by animal studies and a small human study. The supplement is made with premium ingredients sourced from trusted suppliers and is carefully manufactured and tested to verify its potency and purity, ensuring high quality.
What sets Pure Encapsulations apart is their commitment to using only the purest ingredients and leaving out harmful additives such as wheat, eggs, tree nuts, and peanuts, gluten, artificial colors, flavors and sweeteners, coatings and shellacs, GMOs, unnecessary binders, fillers, and preservatives. Their dedication to wellness and well-being extends to the planet, as they implement sustainability initiatives and support organizations that lead the charge for a greener future.
Overall, if you’re looking for a high-quality supplement that supports liver and kidney function, brain health, and stress reduction, Pure Encapsulations Glycine is a great choice. It is pure, clean, and free from unnecessary and harmful additives, ensuring that you get the best possible nutritional support for your body.
Thorne Research
Thorne Glycine is an amino acid supplement that promotes relaxation, supports detoxification, and aids in muscle function. It is designed to help with healthy stress management, necessary for detoxification, and modulate cytokine levels in the body associated with obesity.
Thorne is committed to using the purest possible ingredients, and their products are free from gluten and other major allergens such as eggs, tree nuts, and peanuts. This product is also free from soy, dairy, shellfish, and fish.
Thorne has earned the trust of healthcare professionals, national teams, the Mayo Clinic, and families around the world by developing better standards for higher-quality ingredients.
Thorne cares deeply about where their ingredients come from and partners only with suppliers whose practices emphasize quality, science, and responsibility. This emphasis on better ingredients leads to better potency, absorption, and digestibility, ultimately resulting in better health.
Do I Need a Glycine Supplement? Benefits
Eating a balanced diet is usually enough to ensure adequate glycine levels, yet certain individuals may benefit from additional supplementation.
Here are some potential benefits:
- Improved sleep: Research has revealed that this practice can be extremely beneficial for the brain, potentially leading to longer and better sleeping periods. It could also reduce sleep latency, which is how long it takes you to fall asleep at night, as well as help with daytime drowsiness.
- Reduced inflammation: Its anti-inflammatory compounds make it a powerful ally in decreasing systemic inflammation – a factor that is known to be associated with severe health issues like diabetes, cardiovascular illness, and cancer.
- Improved joint and bone health: Glycine is a fundamental element of collagen, the most common protein found in our bodies. Collagen grants structural stability to bones, joints, and other tissues; therefore glycine supplementation may help reduce the danger of osteoporosis and arthritis while increasing bone density.
- Reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression: Studies have proven that it has powerful anxiolytic and antidepressant capabilities, which can help alleviate the symptoms of anxiety and depression.
- Improved cognitive function: Exercising can benefit your brain in several ways – from improving your memory, focus, and reaction time to enhancing blood flow and decreasing oxidative stress.
- Improved digestion: Not only may it aid in digestion and minimize discomfort associated with gastrointestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but incorporating this into your lifestyle could help improve overall health.
It’s essential to remember that while glycine supplementation may help with many issues, it should not be seen as a remedy for everything and shouldn’t replace other treatments or medications. Before beginning any supplement routine, make sure you speak with your healthcare provider – especially if you have preexisting medical conditions or take medication regularly.
How To Take
The recommended dosage of glycine as a dietary supplement is typically between 2 and 5 grams per day, taken orally with water or juice on an empty stomach, 30-60 minutes before a meal or at bedtime. For specific medical conditions, the dosage may vary and should be determined by a healthcare professional.
It is generally considered safe, but high doses may cause side effects such as stomach upset, dizziness, or drowsiness. It’s important to follow the recommended dosage and consult with a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen.
What are the Negative Effects of Glycine?
Glycine is generally considered safe when taken in suggested amounts, however, taking an excessive amount can have adverse effects on some individuals. Here are some potential negative effects:
- Stomach upset: For some individuals, consuming this product may lead to nausea, stomach uneasiness, and loose stools.
- Dizziness and drowsiness: Taking extremely high doses of glycine can lead to dizziness and sleepiness, making it dangerous for you to drive or work with machines.
- Hypoglycemia: It may lower blood sugar levels, especially in people with diabetes, which may lead to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). People with diabetes should monitor their blood sugar levels carefully if taking glycine supplements.
- Neurological effects: Though rare, consuming excessive amounts of glycine or utilizing it as a supplement while having pre-existing neurological conditions may potentially lead to side effects such as confusion, hallucinations, and seizures.
Even though negative side effects are rare, it’s still important to take glycine supplementation in the recommended dosage and speak with a doctor prior to beginning any new supplement regimen. This is especially true if you have pre-existing conditions or currently use other medications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Best Form of Glycine?
Glycine in its pure form, without any additives or impurities, is the best form.
Is it OK to Take Glycine Everyday?
Yes, when taken on a regular basis, glycine is considered safe because it’s naturally present in many foods and well-tolerated by most people.
Even so, you should always consult with your healthcare provider before beginning any supplement regimen to ensure that it won’t conflict or counteract with any ongoing medications.
How Much Glycine Should I take a Day?
2g of glycine per day is required by the human body. But overall how much glycine per day varies between 2-5g.
How Much Glycine for Sleep?
For sleep: A range of 3-5 grams of glycine taken orally before bed has been used effectively to help sleep in scientific studies.
Who Should Not Take Glycine Supplements?
Individuals with kidney or liver disorders should exercise caution when considering glycine supplements, as these organs play a crucial role in metabolizing and excreting substances from the body. Glycine is primarily metabolized in the liver, and impaired liver function may affect its clearance, potentially leading to an accumulation of glycine in the bloodstream. Similarly, individuals with compromised kidney function may experience difficulty in excreting excess glycine, as the kidneys are responsible for filtering and eliminating waste products.
Moreover, those with a history of hypersensitivity or allergic reactions to glycine or related substances should avoid glycine supplementation. Allergic reactions can manifest as skin rashes, itching, swelling, or more severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing. It is essential for individuals with known allergies to glycine or any of its derivatives to consult with a healthcare professional before incorporating glycine supplements into their regimen.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women should also seek guidance from their healthcare providers before using glycine supplements. While glycine is naturally present in the body and some foods, the safety of supplemental glycine during pregnancy and lactation has not been extensively studied. Therefore, caution is warranted to ensure the well-being of both the mother and the developing fetus or breastfeeding infant.
Individuals taking medications that affect blood clotting or blood sugar levels, such as anticoagulants or diabetes medications, should consult with their healthcare provider before using glycine supplements. Glycine may interact with these medications, potentially enhancing their effects or causing undesired side effects.
In summary, individuals with kidney or liver disorders, a history of glycine-related allergies, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and those on medications affecting blood clotting or blood sugar levels should exercise caution and seek professional medical advice before considering glycine supplementation. Always prioritize individual health and well-being by consulting with a qualified healthcare provider to assess potential risks and benefits tailored to specific medical conditions and circumstances.
Where To Buy
Glycine is readily available in a variety of outlets, including health food stores, vitamin and supplement vendors, and even online marketplaces such as Amazon or iHerb.
When looking for glycine supplements, it is important to opt for a well-known and trustworthy retailer, such as Walgreens, CVS, or Rite Aid. Furthermore, before making your purchase be sure that you check the ingredients list for any potential allergens and always research the correct dosage to ensure the safe consumption of these products.
Conclusion
When it comes to finding the best Glycine supplement, there are several great options to consider. Best Naturals stands out as the best overall option, thanks to its commitment to delivering high-quality, non-GMO, and gluten-free supplements that are free from artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, and preservatives. The product is also 3rd party lab tested to ensure purity and potency, making it a safe and effective choice.
For those who prefer a powder supplement, BulkSupplements is an excellent choice. It is unflavored, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, and yeast-free, making it ideal for those with dietary restrictions.
The product is also manufactured according to cGMP Standards, and the company works with a third-party laboratory to test the product at multiple stages to ensure consistency and quality.
Lastly, Life Extension is an exceptional supplement that promotes relaxation, and healthy sleep, and supports healthy glucose and fructose metabolism. It is formulated with a higher dose of glycine, making it a potent and effective option. The product is non-GMO, gluten-free, and made in the USA with certificates of analysis for each product.
Ultimately, the best Glycine supplement for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. Still, with their quality standards and commitment to providing effective and pure supplements, any of these three options would be an excellent choice.