### Glycine: A Versatile Amino Acid Glycine is an amino acid that your body uses to create proteins. While your body naturally produces glycine, you can also get it from protein-rich foods like meat or as a dietary supplement in capsule or powder form. Glycine is also a primary amino acid in collagen supplements, which may help your body absorb it more efficiently. #### Benefits of Glycine 1. **Decreases Oxidative Stress**: Glycine is essential for the body's synthesis of glutathione, an antioxidant that fights free radicals and reduces oxidative stress. 2. **Improves Brain and Muscle Performance**: Glycine helps synthesize creatine, which provides energy to muscles and the brain, aiding in short-term memory and reasoning. 3. **Aids in Diabetes Management and Prevention**: Glycine supplements stimulate a gut hormone that enhances insulin's ability to remove glucose from the bloodstream, potentially helping to manage or prevent diabetes. 4. **Decreases Risk of Heart Attack**: Higher levels of glycine in the blood are linked to lower blood pressure and a reduced risk of heart attacks. 5. **Protects Liver from Alcohol Damage**: Glycine helps prevent alcohol from reaching the liver by activating first-pass metabolism in the stomach. 6. **Improves Sleep Quality**: Taking glycine before bed can improve sleep quantity and quality by reducing core body temperature. Glycine is generally considered safe in appropriate amounts, but it may interact with some medications. Always consult your doctor before adding any supplement to your diet. The typical dosage in a supplement is about 2-5g of glycine.