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Therapeutic Uses
Several studies have evaluated glycine as a supportive treatment for schizophrenia . 1 According to some, but not all, of these studies, high doses of glycine (from 15 to 60 g daily) might augment the effectiveness of medications used for this condition. The one notable exception is clozapine (Clozaril); one study suggest that glycine may actually decreasethe effectiveness of this drug (see Safety Issues below).
One large double-blind study suggests that low doses of glycine may be helpful for limiting the spreading brain damage that occurs during stroke . 2 However, there are also theoretical concerns that glycine could increase such damage (see Safety Issues ), so you should not try this treatment except under physician supervision.
A small double-blind study found evidence that glycine may help improve long-term blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes. 3 One small study weakly suggests that glycine may enhance memory and mental function . 4 Glycine alone and in combination with other amino acids has shown a bit of promise for enhancing wound healing. 5
Animal studies suggest that dietary glycine may protect against chemically induced damage to the liver or kidneys. 6 7 Other studies in laboratory animals suggest that dietary glycine may prevent tumor formation and growth in the livers of mice and rats. 8 However, it is too early to say whether glycine has cancer preventive effects in humans.
Manufacturers advertising glycine supplements have made a number of additional claims for it, including prevention of epileptic seizures , reducing acid in the stomach, multiple sclerosis , boosting the immune system , and calming the mind. It is also proposed as a sports supplement , said to work in this capacity by increasing release of human growth hormone (HGH). As yet, there is no real scientific evidence that glycine works for any of these purposes.
Because it has a sweet taste, glycine has also been recommended as a sugar substitute for people with diabetes.
References
- Heresco-Levy U, Javitt DC, Ermilov M, Mordel C, Silipo G, Lichtenstein M. Efficacy of high-dose glycine in the treatment of enduring negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 56(1):29-36.
- Gusev EI, Skvortsova VI, Dambinova SA, Raevskiy KS, Alekseev AA, Bashkatova VG, Kovalenko AV, Kudrin VS, Yakovleva EV. Neuroprotective effects of glycine for therapy of acute ischaemic stroke. Cerebrovasc Dis. 10(1):49-60.
- Martinez-Abundis E, Kam-Ramos AM, Hernandez-Salazar E, Gonzalez-Ortiz. Effect of glycine on insulin secretion, fasting and postprandial glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. 18th International Diabetes Federation Congress, Paris, August 24-29, 2003;abstract 758.
- File SE, Fluck E, Fernandes C. Beneficial effects of glycine (Bioglycin) on memory and attention in young and middle-aged adults. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 1999;19:506-512.
- Harvey SG, Gibson JR, Burke CA. L-cysteine, glycine and dl-threonine in the treatment of hypostatic leg ulceration: a placebo-controlled study. Pharmatherapeutica. 4(4):227-30.
- Yin M, Ikejima K, Arteel GE, Seabra V, Bradford BU, Kono H, Rusyn I, Thurman RG. Glycine accelerates recovery from alcohol-induced liver injury. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 286(2):1014-9.
- Thurman RG, Zhong Z, von Frankenberg M, Stachlewitz RF, Bunzendahl H. Prevention of cyclosporine-induced nephrotoxicity with dietary glycine. Transplantation. 63(11):1661-7.
- Rose ML, Cattley RC, Dunn C, Wong V, Li X, Thurman RG. Dietary glycine prevents the development of liver tumors caused by the peroxisome proliferator WY-14,643. Carcinogenesis. 20(11):2075-81.
