Glycine is a non-essential amino acid. It is vital to the formation of RNA and DNA – the genetic material needed for cell formation, repair and function. Glycine helps to build muscles, and prevents its degeneration. Almost one-third of collagen (an important component of connective tissue) is composed of glycine, and this keeps skin and other connective tissues firm and flexible. Glycine helps to convert glucose into energy, and is essential to maintaining a healthy central nervous and digestive systems. It is also inhibitory to the neurotransmitters in the central nervous system, and is therefore used in the treatment of schizophrenia and seizures. Glycine also seems to play a role in keeping the prostate healthy and in preventing the growth of melanomas. Good sources are fish, meat, beans, milk, and cheese. Typical supplementation is up to 1 gram daily in divided doses.

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·       Glycine also prevents the growth of B 16 melanomas cell in vivo. Moreover, dietary glycine is protective in the kidney against cyclosporine, a toxicity and ischemia-reperfusion injury. Glycine may be useful clinically for the treatment of sepsis, adult respiratory distress syndrome, arthritis, and other diseases with an inflammatory component.

o       Cell Mol Life Sci. 1999 Nov 30; 56(9-10): 843-56.

Prostate Cancer

A diet or supplementation with the amino acids glycine, alanine and glutamic acid has also been shown to help improve prostate symptom. After four weeks, the amino acid preparation helped to reduce prostate swelling and alleviate symptoms of urinary discomfort

o       Hinyokika Kiyo, 1985 Jan. 31(1): 179.