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Glycine is an amino acid found in the protein of all living
organisms. Although most glycine is found in proteins, free glycine
is found in body fluids as well as in the tissues and cells plants.
The normal human diet contributes approximately 2 grams of glycine
to the body daily.
Since the cells of the human body can
synthesize sufficient amounts of glycine to meet its needs, glycine
is not considered an essential amino acid. Notwithstanding, glycine
plays a major role in the synthesis of proteins, peptides, purines,
adenosine triphosphate (ATP), nucleic acids, porphyrins, hemoglobin,
glutathione, creatine, bile salts, one-carbon fragments, glucose,
glycogen, and L-serine and many more amino acids. Glycine is also a
neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. Glycine and
gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) are the major inhibitory
neurotransmitters in the central nervous system.
Glycine may
help to alleviate the symptoms of spasticity. Possible medical
indications for potentiating some anti-convulsant drugs and
preventing some seizures could emerge, as could an indication for
its use in managing schizophrenia. Current research also indicates
that glycine may be usefulness in connection with some cancers,
although there aren't any reputable clinical trials to support its
use to treat cancer.
Researchers now also believe that
glycine may play an important role in helping to maintain the health
of the prostate. It was observed in a recent study of men with
benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) that taking 780 mg of glycine per
day for two weeks and then 390 mg for the next two and a half
months, taken in combination with equal amounts of the amino acids,
alanine and glutamic acid, reduced symptoms of the BPH. Glycine also
enhances the activity of chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) in
the brain and may possibly improve both memory and
cognition.
Dosage
Glycine is
available in tablets and capsules up to 500 milligrams. Those who
supplement use up to 1 gram daily in divided doses. For those taking
glycine in connection with schizophrenia, doses have ranged from 40
to 90 grams daily.
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