Glycine: Sleep better and calm the bladder

If you want to improve your gut health, sleep better through the night and build stronger memory function, Glycine Powder from Designs For Health could be the supplement for you.

What Is Glycine?

Glycine is an amino acid that functions as an inhibitory neurotransmitter. It is commonly used to build collagen, improve gut health and prevent toxic glyphosate buildup in the body. 

Exposure to glyphosate, the active ingredient in weed killers, can occur through dermal absorption, inhalation, and ingestion.

Recent studies have shown that glycine also promotes deep sleep and enhances sleep quality. Plus, it calms an overactive bladder throughout the night, so you wake up less often to use the bathroom.

A key amino acid

Glycine is the simplest and smallest of the 20 natural amino acids and is the only one that is achiral, meaning it lacks a side chain and is optically inactive. It functions as a building block for proteins like collagen, acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system and serves as a precursor for vital compounds such as creatine, the antioxidant glutathione and purines, the chemical compounds found in all of the body’s cells and in many foods that form uric acid when metabolized.

Glycine is particularly abundant in collagen, the most prevalent protein in the human body, found in connective tissues, skin and cartilage. Its small size allows for the tight packing of collagen’s triple helix structure.

Key Benefits of Glycine

• Glycine boosts stomach acid and bile secretion to improve fat digestion, absorption, and nutrient uptake, while repairing the gut lining. 
• Recent studies show that glycine promotes deep sleep and enhances sleep quality. Studies report that 3 grams, a little before bedtime, is most effective for most people. 
• Because of this positive effect on sleep, it has also been shown to reduce fatigue during the day and build stronger memory formation. 
• Glycine may stimulate insulin secretion and has been shown to reduce HbA1c levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.
• Because glycine aids in bile production, it helps protect the liver from damage caused by alcohol or toxins.
• It acts as a powerful anti-inflammatory agent by modulating cytokine expression and reducing oxidative stress.
  

How to Use Glycine

Dosage: Take 3 grams (approximately 1 scoop) with water or another beverage per day, or as directed by your health-care practitioner. 

While generally considered safe at doses up to 30 grams per day, some individuals may experience side effects such as mild gastrointestinal upset or brain fog. It is also used as a sugar substitute due to its naturally sweet taste.

As with any supplement, it is recommended to consult a healthcare provider before starting a new regimen.

Who Should Consider Using Glycine?

Glycine may be a good fit if you:

• Are obese or have hepatic insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes mellitus.
• Suffer from various inflammatory diseases.
• Have gastric ulcers and other gastrointestinal disorders.
• Suffer from rheumatoid arthritis or joint inflammation. 
• Are seeking to improve sleep and potentially cognitive function.

Possible Side Effects

Glycine supplements are generally well-tolerated, with common mild side effects including gastrointestinal discomfort such as nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, soft stools, and diarrhea. 

Some individuals may also experience drowsiness, headache, anxiety, or paradoxical overstimulation.

Rare but serious side effects, such as allergic reactions (rash, itching, difficulty breathing), have been reported. 

Important Safety Information

While most healthy adults experience no ill effects when taken as directed, Glycine supplements are not for everyone.

Do not use if you are:

• Pregnant or breastfeeding (unless directed by a healthcare provider)

Additional precautions:

• Individuals with pre-existing kidney or liver conditions should use caution.
  

Always consult with a healthcare provider before adding Glycine Powder to your routine, especially if you take prescription medications or have existing health conditions.

Available at Herbs Etc.

Glycine Powder by Designs For Health is a powder in a 6.3-ounce jar. It is easy to add to your daily routine. Stop by the store or purchase yours online today.

Help Support Normal Tissue Repair and Regeneration

Glycine is necessary for the structural building blocks of connective tissues, which make up the heart, bones, tendons, skin, lungs, muscles, and more. Therefore, glycine may help support normal tissue repair and regeneration.

Stop by Herbs Etc to pick up your jar of Designs For Health’s Glycine Powder, and let our staff help you find the right tools for your wellness goals.