From the Guidelines
Glycine and N-Acetylcysteine (GLY-NAC) supplementation is effective in improving certain health conditions, particularly those related to oxidative stress and glutathione deficiency, as evidenced by recent studies 1. The combination of glycine and N-acetylcysteine has been shown to have synergistic effects in boosting glutathione production in the body, which is essential for neutralizing free radicals and reducing oxidative damage.
Key Findings
- Research suggests that GLY-NAC may help improve insulin resistance, oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, and inflammation in older adults 1.
- Some studies indicate benefits of GLY-NAC supplementation for improving muscle strength, cognitive function, and cellular aging markers 1.
- The typical supplementation involves taking both glycine (approximately 0.8g/kg/day) and NAC (approximately 600-1800mg daily) together, as they work synergistically to boost glutathione production in the body.
Mechanism of Action
- GLY-NAC works by providing the precursors needed for glutathione synthesis, which is the body's master antioxidant that helps neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative damage 1.
- N-acetylcysteine has been shown to reduce the viscosity of respiratory secretions and aid in the elimination of secretions in patients with COPD and chronic bronchitis 1.
Clinical Evidence
- A network meta-analysis of 22 recent trials involving 2,621 patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis found that treatment with glucocorticoids alone or in combination with N-acetylcysteine reduced 28-day mortality 1.
- A study of 1,006 patients with moderate to severe COPD found that oral NAC 600 mg twice daily reduced the rate of exacerbations by 22% compared to placebo 1.
Recommendations
- GLY-NAC supplementation may be considered for patients with conditions related to oxidative stress and glutathione deficiency, such as older adults with insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction 1.
- Further research is needed to fully establish the effectiveness of GLY-NAC supplementation for specific medical conditions and to determine optimal dosing protocols.
From the Research
Effectiveness of Glycine and N-Acetylcysteine (GLY-NAC) Supplementation
- GLY-NAC supplementation has been shown to improve glutathione deficiency, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction in various studies 2, 3, 4, 5.
- A randomized clinical trial found that GLY-NAC supplementation in older adults improved glutathione deficiency, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, and physical function 3.
- A pilot clinical trial reported that GLY-NAC supplementation in older adults corrected glutathione deficiency, improved mitochondrial function, and lowered oxidative stress, inflammation, and insulin resistance 4.
- Another study found that GLY-NAC supplementation improved impaired mitochondrial fuel oxidation and lowered insulin resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes 5.
- N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a component of GLY-NAC, has also been shown to have antioxidant effects and potential as an epigenetic modulator in the treatment of liver diseases 6.
Key Benefits of GLY-NAC Supplementation
- Improves glutathione deficiency and oxidative stress 2, 3, 4, 5
- Enhances mitochondrial function and fuel oxidation 3, 4, 5
- Lowers inflammation and insulin resistance 3, 4, 5
- Improves physical function and cognitive decline 3, 4
- May have potential in the treatment of liver diseases and type 2 diabetes 6, 5