Protein - Glycine

Question 1

Glycine

Answer 1

• Glycine is a conditionally essential amino acid in the case of certain metabolic stresses. For example:
  o Increased haem synthesis for blood formation.
  o Collagen formation for growth and repair.
  o Glycine conjugation in detoxification.
  o Glycine is made with the help of serine and vitamin B6, so if either of these are in short supply –so is glycine!

Question 2

Required for

Answer 2

• Glycine is required for the synthesis of haem, DNA, RNA, bile acids, glutathione (for liver detox), creatine, skin and connective tissue.

Question 3

Food Sources

Answer 3

• Food sources: legumes, seaweed, spinach, kale, cauliflower, cabbage, banana, pumpkin, bone broth, meat, fish, eggs.

Question 4

Functions:
Collagen Synthesis

Answer 4

Functions:
* Collagen, the most abundant protein in the body is 1/3 glycine. Collagen is crucial for structural integrity and is especially important in bones, the dermis(skin), GIT, tendons and ligaments.

Therapeutic Uses:
* GIT repair (e.g. IBD, ↑ intestinal permeability).
* Skin, MSK integrity
tri= three, peptide= protein, MSK=musculoskeletal

Question 5

Functions:
Liver Detox

Answer 5

Functions:
* Required to conjugate toxins in phase 2 liver detoxification.
* Glycine is a component of the tripeptide glutathione, as well as bile acids.

Therapeutic Uses
* Liver support
* Digestion (due to the bile acids)

Question 6

Functions:
Neuro-transmitters

Answer 6

Functions:
* Glycine is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS.
* It is also reversibly converted to serine –used to form acetylcholine.

Therapeutic Uses:
* Insomnia
* Cognition / memory / learning