TREATMENT DATABASE

Glycine is a nonessential amino acid, meaning it can be produced within the body.

Amino acids are nitrogen-containing chemical units (amines) that, bound together, make up protein. There are 20 primary amino acids. About 80% are produced in the liver and the remaining 20% must be obtained from food. Whether an amino acid can be produced within the body is what distinguishes the essential from nonessential amino acids. The essential amino acids (those which must be obtained from food sources) are arginine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine. Nonessential amino acids (those which can be produced within the body) include alanine, glutamine, asparagine, glycine, proline, and serine. Given the countless functions that amino acids perform, a protein shortage or congenital defect in amino acid synthesis can lead to problems that involve every system in the body. Glycine is one of the components of glutathione, an important antioxidant. It restores glutathione and can protest against oxidative stress. 

Stimulatino of glycine receptors by taurine leads to a down regulation of excitatory NMDA receptors. Glycine is also used in the biosynthesis of hemoglobin, which is very important in the maintenance of red blood cell integrity and oxygen transport.

glycine receptors, leading to a down regulation of excitatory NMDA receptors. (Glycine is also used in the biosynthesis of hemoglobin, which is very important in the maintenance of red blood cell integrity and oxygen transport.

Treatment rating for Glycine