Description
Cysteine and glycine are both necessary precursors for glutathione (GSH) synthesis, and co-supplementation of these nutrients promotes intracellular glutathione levels. Glutathione is one of the main endogenous antioxidants, acting in the body to recycle other antioxidants and protect the body from free radicals, as well as support detoxification. It is found in virtually every cell of the body and plays a critical role in cell function. Increased glutathione levels have been linked to supporting a reduction in oxidative stress.
The Research
In a small study involving older individuals, two weeks ofsupplementation with N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC) and/or glycine indicated that the combination NAC + glycine raised red blood cell (RBC) glutathione levels more effectively than either amino acid alone.4
In one study, supplementation with the combination of NAC and glycine resulted in 32% higher RBC glycine, 46% higher RBCcysteine and a 53% increase in RBC GSH concentration. There was also a significant improvement in the ratio of reduced (active) GSH to oxidized glutathione (GSSG). Increased GSH was associated with improvement inantioxidant status as measured by F2-isoprostanes, as well as mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation.5
In another study comparing young and older subjects, elderly subjects had 55% lower RBC glycine, 24% lower RBC cysteine, and 46% lower RBC glutathione at baseline, as well aslower reduced (active) GSH to oxidized glutathione (GSSG) ratios. Supplementation with NAC and glycine in elderlysubjects resulted in RBC levels of glycine, cysteine, and glutathione, as well as GSH:GSSG ratio, comparable toyoung unsupplemented subjects.6
REFERENCES
1. Richie JP Jr, et al. Eur J Nutr. 2015 Mar;54(2):251-63.
2. Zhang Q, et al. Medicine (Baltimore). 2018 Nov;97(45):e13087.
3. Sekhar RV, et al. Am J Clin Nutr. 2011 Sep;94(3):847-53.
4. Guthikonda, et al. American Geriatrics Society Annual Scientific Meeting, 2006. 5. Nguyen D, et al. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2014 Jan;99(1):169-77.
6. Roes EM, et al. Clin Chem Lab Med. 2002 May;40(5):496-8.
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