In our forest cocoa we use, among other things, the amino acid glycine to sweeten it. We would like to explain to you why we decided to do this:
Glycine performs an amazing number of essential tasks in the body. That's why the smallest of all amino acids is produced by the body itself (that's why it's called "non-essential"), but in some well-documented studies, external intake seems to have had strikingly positive effects on health. ( 1.-4. ) Glycine is the primary amino acid of collagen , the substance that tightens our skin and keeps joints and tendons supple.
Since our body only produces 1g of glycine per day on average, a review of 74 studies from 2017 ( 1. ) suggests that there could be a weak point in the human metabolism: its capacity for glycine synthesis is apparently not sufficient to cover the body's own needs. The fact that in modern society, with the exception of very small amounts of gelatin, perhaps from gummy bears, foods that are particularly high in glycine or collagen, such as offal or tendons and cartilage, are no longer consumed, also supports this thesis. Without external intake, the human metabolism appears to lack an average of 10g of glycine per day. ( 2. )
Another argument in favor of external intake is found in a study from the Journal of Biosciences ( 3. ), which shows that additional glycine taken can pass the blood-brain barrier (Simply put, this is a main criterion for the fact that an ingested glycine Agent “arrives” at all) and glycine absorbed in this way regulates neurotransmission in the central nervous system. ( 3. )
To understand this you have to start a little further. Surely each of you has heard of neurons, synapses and neurotransmitters. A chemical synapse does not simply transmit electrical signals but “modulates” them. Ie it regulates how a signal should be passed on. Glycine now acts as an “inhibiting” neurotransmitter. In very simple terms, this means that the signal is transmitted weaker and made “quieter”. This becomes noticeable when you relax, your stress level decreases and you sleep better.
Glycine is used in the synapses primarily to regulate neuronal activity. ( 3. )
Structure and functionality of a synapse
“The NMDA receptor with glutamate and glycine causes synapses to be remodeled. At the body level, it can be noted that this remodeling causes the synapses to interact more strongly with each other. This means that glycine and glutamate help form learning ability and long-term memory through the NMDA receptor. The conversion often takes place in the hippocampus and cerebrum and thus has a direct influence on memory.”
Glycine also ensures an increase in the release of the hormone GNRH ( gonadotropin-releasing hormone) in the hypothalamus ( 5. - 6. ), which in turn increases the release of the fertility hormones LH (luteinizing hormone) & FSH (folicle-stimulating hormone) (or interstitial cell-stimulating hormone). hormone (ICSH) in men) into the bloodstream.
More fertility hormones mean better hormonal balance in men and women. LH is a precursor to testosterone and, together with FSH, stimulates follicle formation in women. This study ( 6. ) shows the direct influence of external glycine on hormone secretion.
Furthermore, glycine can improve the time it takes to fall asleep and the quality of sleep due to its inhibitory effect. When taken an hour before bedtime, body temperature also decreased. This contributes significantly to the quality of sleep. In addition, reduced daytime sleepiness was observed (7th - 15th)
The body's largest organ also benefits from the amino acid. It supports moisturizing the skin and regenerates the cells of the epidermis. Glycine also prevents wrinkles and is involved in the production of elastin and collagen. (16th-17th)
Atherosclerosis is the number 1 cause of death worldwide.
Glycine significantly reduces many factors that contribute to arteriosclerosis. This effect is due to the fact that glycine can remodel the endothelial cells of the artery walls ( 18. ) and increases the ability to absorb nitric oxide ( 19. )
The cells in the inner walls of our vessels are called endothelium . They have the important task of relaxing or contracting our vessels. One of the tools for this is nitric oxide . Its release also prevents the white blood cells from depositing on the vessels, which is the first stage of arteriosclerosis.
Nitric oxide has a vasodilating effect, lowers blood pressure and increases the oxygen content in the blood.
It is produced by the endothelium and is a messenger molecule that tells the blood vessel to dilate or expand and contract or relax. As we age, the endothelium produces less and less nitrogen, so the cardiovascular system becomes less elastic and reduces the flow of oxygen-rich blood to vital organs.
Foods that are rich in nitrate (which is biologically converted into nitrogen monoxide ) can also counteract this to some extent, especially one of our favorite “biohacks” beetroot juice. So now we know why it is extremely important to have good nitrogen absorption and a healthy endothelium.
"Glycine placed under the tongue may therefore also help limit brain damage caused by an ischemic stroke if given within 6 hours of the stroke . Ischemic shock is caused by the blockage of a blood vessel in the brain." ( 25. )
Similar to the endothelium of blood vessels, glycine also naturally contributes to the health of the epithelium in the intestine. The important so-called “ tight junctions ” (see picture) are regulated by glycine and maintain the barrier function . If something is not coordinated correctly, it quickly becomes noticeable in a variety of ways: fatigue, immune deficiency, immune overreactions, even depression can be triggered here.
This ( 27. ) study tested the hypothesis that glycine may regulate the expression and distribution of tight junction (TJ) proteins and thereby contribute to the barrier function of the intestinal mucosa.
Glycine also increases insulin sensitivity in healthy people and in type 2 diabetics (36.) by stimulating the release of gut hormones such as GLP-1. GLP-1 has the ability to lower blood sugar levels by increasing insulin secretion. In addition to the insulinotropic effect, GLP-1 is also associated with numerous regulatory and protective effects.
Tight junctions are found not only in the intestines but wherever there is a barrier in the body. One of the most important barriers is the blood-brain barrier . In a study by Trinity College in Dublin ( 34. ), it was shown that malfunctions of the tight junctions at this point can result in serious psychological disorders (depression, schizophrenia, etc.).
Aside from that, glycine also has a direct effect on the brain. Due to the previously mentioned inhibitory properties in the synapses, glycine can be used, for example, to cope with stress.
It reduces the restlessness of hyperactive nerves and leads to an optimization of neuromuscular control.
What happens when glycine can no longer develop its effect can be seen, for example, in the tetanus bacterium. Its toxins inhibit the release of glycine and lead to permanent excitation of the muscle. That’s why it’s also called “tetanus”.
Glycine also increases fatty acid oxidation and reduces intra-abdominal fat accumulation and " non-esterified fatty acids " circulating in the blood. These are considered for the link between obesity and high blood pressure. ( 35. )
Furthermore, it has been shown that glycine has an enormous influence on the regeneration of Kupffer cells in the liver and can thus reverse moderate liver damage. It protects against alcohol and inhibits liver inflammation. (36.)
Did you know that 80% of all macrophages (the most important workers in the immune system) are located in the liver? Here they neutralize all bacteria, foreign substances and toxins that enter the body via the intestines and portal veins . Or at least they should. Because these are exactly the cells that are immensely attacked by alcohol consumption, for example. In one study ( 37. ), these cells could be almost completely regenerated by external supply of glycine.
Glycine is also involved in the body's own creatine synthesis . Creatine is often known from the muscles in the gym and is primarily associated with excessive water requirements. What sounds borderline at first is actually produced naturally by your own body and takes on important functions. Creatine is also extremely interesting cognitively . It is a fairly strong nootropic , so it can increase cognitive performance. Since the body's own production is heavily dependent on glycine ( 41 ), deficiency symptoms also arise if there is insufficient intake.
Glycine is one of the most original amino acids, and existed in protogas clouds long before stars and planets existed. It has also been found on comets and meteorites, such as the famous Murchison meteorite. According to one theory, the origin of life on Earth came from a meteorite impact on the prehistoric Earth. Glycine is one of the most important amino acids and a fundamental building block for life.
Promising discoveries were made in a study at the National Institute of Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases in Bethesda in the USA ( 39. ), in which human cells were shown to rejuvenate in vitro after glycine administration. That doesn't mean anything for real people, but it's definitely reason enough to mention it here.
That beats classic sugar by far, right?
Glycine can not only neutralize the negative effects of sugar but can even reverse them ( 40. )
a note:
In this article I provide information about the biochemical mechanisms in the body that are influenced by the amino acid glycine. I am neither a biochemist nor a doctor, just a curious person with a penchant for science. To the best of my knowledge, I provide information here that I have compiled through my own research. I have ensured that the studies I refer to were conducted properly, did not give rise to conflicts of interest and met the scientific gold standard. I'm writing this because I know that it's easy to become over-enthusiastic about nutritional supplements when an article simply explains their function in the body. As with everything, it is not a miracle cure . -Robin
Sources:
External recording makes sense
Sleep quality
Skin tightening
arteriosclerosis
Glycine effect intestinal
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27029941/
Glycine Regulates Expression and Distribution of Claudin-7 and ZO-3 Proteins in Intestinal Porcine Epithelial Cells
Gelatin versus its two major degradation products, prolyl‐hydroxyproline and glycine, as supportive therapy in experimental colitis in mice
Glycine effect psyche
Blood-brain barrier associated tight junction disruption is a hallmark feature of major psychiatric disorders
Effect on the liver
Benefit of Kupffer cell modulation with glycine versus Kupffer cell depletion after liver transplantation in the rat: effects on postischemic reperfusion injury, apoptotic cell death graft regeneration and survival
Therapy for diabetes
Rejuvenating effects
Miscellaneous
Glycine intake decreases plasma free fatty acids, adipose cell size, and blood pressure in sucrose-fed rats
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