GlyNAC consists of two molecules. The non-essential amino acid L-Glycin and N-Acetyl-Cysteine. You may also know NAC by another name. As ACC, N-acetyl-cysteine is often used as an expectorant for colds. But that is by no means all this molecule can do.
Combining NAC with glycine creates an effective active complex. GlyNAC has been shown to have a positive effect on the ageing process not only in animal studies, but also in humans. In this article, we give you an insight into the molecular mode of action of GlyNAC and explain why it may be useful for you.
Making two into one - the mode of action of GlyNAC
As already mentioned, GlyNAC actually consists of two molecules. Glycine is a non-essential amino acid - this means that our body can produce it itself from other amino acids. Glycine plays an important role in the brain, where it regulates nerve impulses as a neurotransmitter. In addition the molecule promotes muscle growth and has in complex with hyaluron positive effects on the skin .
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a derivative of the sulphur-containing amino acid cysteine. The molecule was discovered back in 1899, although it does not occur in our bodies or in food. In addition to its role as an expectorant, the substance is also known for its powerful antioxidant properties. NAC is also a precursor of glutathione, the most important antioxidant molecule in the human body. To understand this important step in more detail, we need to delve deeper into the biochemistry of our body.
Glutathione consists of three different amino acids: cysteine, glycine and glutamate. If we now consume NAC through food, it can enter our cells via the blood. Once there, cysteine is released via a process called hydrolysis. This gives us the first building block for our glutathione. In the second step, cysteine reacts with glutamate, and in the third and final step, glycine is added. We now have a new molecule of glutathione. The big advantage of GlyNAC is that you have two of the three building blocks for glutathione at your disposal.
Did you know NAC is an important "antidote" in the event of an overdose or Intoxication with paracetamol. Excessive amounts of the painkiller can damage the liver. The biochemical mechanism behind this is that the elimination of paracetamol uses up so much glutathione in our liver that the reserves are depleted at some point. These reserves can be replenished with NAC as a precursor of glutathione.
GlyNAC is a promising molecule when it comes to cellular energy and also biological age.
Glutathione - the radical scavenger of our cells
Glutathione is found in almost all cells in our body. Think of this molecule as a kind of "guardian" and "fire department" combined.
All the biochemical processes in our cells generate free radicals. If too many of these are present, they can damage our DNA, for example. Glutathione neutralizes these radicals using electrons. The molecule can also regenerate other antioxidants such as vitamin C and E.
A second major task of glutathione is detoxification. The liver in particular, our detoxification champion, contains high concentrations of this molecule. With the help of an enzyme, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione is loaded onto a potentially toxic substance when required. This makes the new molecule more water-soluble and our body can excrete it more easily via the urine.
Simply put, glutathione is one of our most important helpers in keeping our cells healthy.
GlyNAC supports the glutathione balance in the body and thus ensures that free radicals do not get the upper hand.
Mitochondria - the crux of the aging cellular power plants
Mitochondria are true marvels. Our billions of power plants provide us with the energy we need for life every day. In our heart cells alone, mitochondria make up around a third of the total volume.
In athletes the mitochondria are responsible for the maximum utilization of oxygen, the VO2 Max. The VO2 Max is not only a good indicator for athletes, but also for general fitness in old age. It is not for nothing that experts such as Dr. Peter Attia advocate regular measurement.
Unfortunately, our mitochondria not only become fewer in number with age, but also loseperformance. This so-called mitochondrial dysfunction is a hallmark of ageing. Some studies have already shown that exercise, a healthy diet and regular cold baths in particular improve mitochondrial function.
However, exercise alone is often not enough. Here, GlyNAC can be a real alternative. In a randomized, double-blind study by Bayor College of Medicine, it was shown that a 16-week regular intake of GlyNAC led to improved mitochondrial function.
Did you know One of the most important molecules in the energy metabolism of our cells is NAD. The short form stands for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. NAD deficiency and mitochondrial dysfunction are both important areas of research in the longevity scene.
While mitochondrial dysfunction can be supported with GlyNAC and exercise, there are two approaches to NAD. Either the increase in production through vitamin B3 derivatives or the inhibition of degradation through, for example apigenin.
Other benefits of GlyNAC
In a new, randomized, clinical study by Prof. Dr. Rajagopal Sekhar, further positive effects of taking GlyNAC were found. The study participants did not exercise more or change their diet - only one group took GlyNAC, while the second group took a placebo.
When taken regularly, the older test subjects in particular benefited. Their blood pressure was lower, the abdominal girth was lower and their insulin sensitivity improved.
In addition, the study authors found several positive effects on the various hallmarks of aging . Less inflammation, fewer senescent cells and less genomic instability provide a possible explanation for the life-prolonging effect of GlyNAC.
This is significant because while there have been a number of animal studies previously confirming the effect of GlyNAC, this is the first time a study has proved the efficacy of GlyNAC in humans.
Whether the life-prolonging data from the mice, some of which lived 24% longer when taking GlyNAC, can also be reproduced in humans remains to be seen in further studies. Nevertheless, this work by Prof. Sekhar an important first step, since in addition to the theoretical mode of action, the practical benefits of GlyNAC for us humans have also been confirmed.
In the study by Prof. Dr. Sekhar, very high doses of GlyNAC were tolerated very well and without side effects.
Why should you not take glutathione directly?
An important mechanism of GlyNAC is the increase of glutathione levels in the body. Animal studies have already demonstrated that supplementation with GlyNAC leads to a detectable increase in glutathione in liver, heart and kidney cells. Now the question naturally arises, why the detour via GlyNAC? Why can't you take glutathione directly
Here you have to take into account that every cell in our body contains a different amount of glutathione. Our body regulates the required amount of glutathione for each cell individually and this is extremely important. Although we know that too much oxidative stress is harmful to our cells, too little is not good for us either.
For example, our immune cells need free radicals to fight off pathogens. If we were to add glutathione to our body uncontrollably, this delicate balance would be thrown out of kilter. The situation is different with GlyNAC.
By supplementing the precursors, our body can individually regulate the required amount of glutathione. So if a cell does not need additional glutathione, it does not take up the NAC in the first place and does not produce any additional glutathione.
GlyNAC capsules enable the body to be supplied with glutathione precursors as required - so exactly what is actually needed is converted.
The power of three - why GlyNAC is more effective than its individual components
As we have seen, it makes more sense to consume the precursors of glutathione. This way, we give our body the building blocks and it can decide for itself where they are needed. The well-known tech CEO Bryan Johnson also relies on this principle.
NAC alone also has a positive effect on glutathione levels, but the combination with glycine can bring further benefits , as Dr. Sekhar explains in his study. To explain why GlyNAC works better than NAC or glycine alone, he puts forward the "power of three" theory:
To understand this statement, we need to look a little deeper into biochemistry. Dr. Sekhar argues that the combined power of cysteine (through NAC), glycine and glutathione can explain the positive effects on cellular health. Glutathione is the most powerful antioxidant - but its effect is not sufficient to explain all the effects of GlyNAC.
In other studies, the supplementation of NAC versus GlyNAC was investigated in mice, where the effects were significantly greater with GlyNAC. Glycine, as a component of glutathione, is a limiting factor in biosynthesis. By combining NAC and glycine, we can supply our body with both amino acids. In addition glycine is an important methyl group donor and therefore contributes to functioning DNA repair.
NAC, or the amino acid cysteine, contains the sulphur-containing thiol group. This is primarily used in the mitochondria. The combined effects of NAC, glycine and glutathione are therefore more effective than the individual molecules. As the famous philosopher Aristotle (384-322v.Chr.) said: "The whole is more than the sum of its parts."
Did you know Glycine not only acts as a precursor to glutathione. Together with hyaluron, the amino acid is also involved in important health processes in the skin. As we age, we lose more and more collagen , the most abundant protein in our skin. Glycine can promote collagen synthesis and, together with hyaluronic acid, slow down your skin ageing.
Hyaluron and L-glycine form a skin-near synergy in the MoleQlar product.
GlyNAC and type 2 diabetes mellitus
In addition to the exciting results of Dr. Sekhar and his team, another pilot study confirmed the effectiveness of GlyNAC in patients with diabetes mellitus
GlyNAC also contributed to improved mitochondrial function here. Especially in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, the mitochondria no longer seem to work optimally. The exact mechanism behind this is not yet fully understood. However, researchers assume that patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus can no longer optimally metabolize fatty acids via the mitochondria. This results in impaired mitochondrial function, which is associated with the complications of diabetes mellitus.
In this study, it was shown in humans and mice that supplementation with GlyNAC can raise glutathione levels again, allowing the mitochondria to metabolize fatty acids normally again. Interestingly, this effect ceased as soon as the supply of GlyNAC was stopped, which provides at least initial evidence of causality.
Fazit
To summarize, GlyNAC can be an effective approach to keeping your mitochondria healthy and fit as you age. Many new longevity studies on this promising molecule are sure to appear over the next few years. However, the existing data already suggest that GlyNAC may be an important building block for staying fit for longer in old age.
