GlyNAC consists of two molecules. The non-essential amino acid L-Glycine and N-Acetyl-Cysteine. You may also know NAC by another name. As ACC, N-Acetyl-Cysteine is often used as a mucolytic in cases of colds. But that is by no means all that this molecule can do.
When NAC is combined with glycine, an effective active complex is formed. GlyNAC has been shown to positively influence the aging process not only in animal studies but also in humans. In this article, we will give you insight into the molecular mechanism of action of GlyNAC and explain why it may be beneficial for you.
From two to one – the mechanism of action of GlyNAC
As already mentioned, GlyNAC actually consists of two molecules.Glycine is a non-essential amino acid – this means our body can produce it from other amino acids. Glycine plays an important role in the brain, where it regulates nerve impulses as a neurotransmitter. Additionally, the molecule promotes muscle growth and has a positive effect in combination with hyaluronic acid on the skin .
N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) is a derivative of the sulfur-containing amino acid cysteine. The molecule was discovered in 1899, although it does not occur in our body or in food. In addition to its role as a mucolytic agent, the substance is also known for its strong antioxidant properties.Furthermore, NAC is a precursor to glutathione, the most important antioxidant molecule in the human body . To understand this important step more precisely, we need to dive deeper into the biochemistry of our body.
Glutathione consists of three different amino acids : cysteine, glycine and glutamate. Now, when we consume NAC through food, it can enter our cells via the blood. Once there, cysteine is released through a process called hydrolysis. Thus, we have the first building block for our glutathione. In the second step, cysteine reacts with glutamate, before glycine is added in the third and final step . Now we have a new molecule of glutathione. The great advantage of GlyNAC is that you have two of the three building blocks for glutathione available.
Did you know? NAC is a important "antidote" in case 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 consumes so much glutathione in our liver that the supplies eventually become depleted. With NAC as a precursor to glutathione, these supplies can be replenished.
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 of our body. Imagine this molecule as a kind of "guardian" and "firefighter" combined.
Through the biochemical processes in our cells, free radicals are generated. If there are too many of them, they can damage our DNA, for example. Glutathione neutralizes these radicals using electrons. Furthermore, the molecule can regenerate other antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E.
A second major function of glutathione is detoxification. Especially in the liver, our detoxification champion, there are high concentrations of this molecule. With the help of an enzyme, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione is attached to a potentially toxic substance when needed. This makes the new molecule more water-soluble, and our body can more easily excrete it through urine.
Glutathione is, simply put, one of our most important helpers in keeping our cells healthy.
GlyNAC supports the glutathione balance in the body, ensuring that free radicals do not take over.
Mitochondria – the crux with aging cellular power plants
Mitochondria are true marvels. Our billions of power plants provide us daily with the energy we need for life. In our heart cells alone, mitochondria make up about one 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 no coincidence that experts like Dr. Peter Attia advocate for regular measurement.
Unfortunately, our mitochondria not only decrease in number as we age, but also lose their performance. This so-called mitochondrial dysfunction is a hallmark of aging. Some studies have already shown that especially exercise, a healthy diet, and regular cold baths can improve mitochondrial function.
However, often exercise alone is not enough. Here, GlyNAC can be a real alternative. In a randomized, double-blind study from Baylor 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 abbreviation stands for Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide. NAD deficiency and mitochondrial dysfunction are both important research areas in the longevity scene.
While mitochondrial dysfunction can be supported with GlyNAC and exercise, there are two approaches for NAD. Either the increase in production through Vitamin B3 derivatives or the inhibition of degradation through, for example, apigenin.
Additional benefits of GlyNAC
In a new, randomized, clinical study by Prof Dr.Rajagopal Sekhar found additional positive effects from the intake of GlyNAC. The study participants did not exercise more, nor did they change their diet – only the intake of GlyNAC was added for one group, while the second group received a placebo.
With regular intake, particularly the older subjects benefited from it. Their blood pressure was lower, the waist circumference decreased, and their insulin sensitivity improved.
In addition, the study authors were able to identify 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-extending effect of GlyNAC.
This is significant, as there have been a number of animal studies confirming the effect of GlyNAC before, but this is the first work where the effectiveness of GlyNAC in humans has been impressively demonstrated.
Whether the life-extending data from mice, which lived up to 24% longer due to the intake of GlyNAC, can also be reproduced in humans remains to be seen in further studies. Nevertheless, this work by Prof.Sekhar an important first step, as besides 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 very well tolerated and without side effects.
Why shouldn't one take glutathione directly?
An important mechanism of GlyNAC is the increase of glutathione levels in the body. It has already been demonstrated in animal studies that supplementation with GlyNAC led to a measurable increase in glutathione in liver, heart, and kidney cells.Now the question arises, why the detour via GlyNAC ? Why can't we take glutathione directly?
Here we must consider that each 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. While 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 fend off pathogens. If we were to add glutathione to our body uncontrollably, this delicate balance would be disrupted. This is different with GlyNAC.
By supplementing the precursors, our body can individually regulate the required amount of glutathione. If a cell does not need additional glutathione, it does not take up the NAC at all and does not produce additional glutathione.
GlyNAC capsules enable a demand-oriented supply of the organism with glutathione precursors - thus, 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 take the precursors of glutathione. This way, we provide our body with 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 does have a positive effect on glutathione levels alone, but the combination with glycine can bring additional benefits, as Dr. Sekhar explains in his study. To explain why GlyNAC works better than NAC or glycine alone, he proposes the theory "The Power of Three":
To understand this statement, we need to take a deeper look into biochemistry. Dr. Sekhar argues that the combined power of cysteine (from NAC), glycine, and glutathione explains the positive effects on cellular health. While glutathione is the most powerful antioxidant, 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 of GlyNAC were significantly greater. Glycine, as a component of glutathione, is a limiting factor in biosynthesis. By combining NAC and glycine, we can provide our body with both amino acids. Additionally, glycine is an important methyl group donor and thus contributes to functional DNA repair.
NAC, or the amino acid cysteine, contains the sulfur-containing thiol group. This is primarily needed in the mitochondria. The combined effects of NAC, glycine, and glutathione are therefore more effective than the individual molecules. As the famous philosopher Aristotle (384-322 v.Chr.) once said: "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts."“
Did you know? Glycine not only acts as a precursor to glutathione. The amino acid is also involved, along with hyaluronic acid, 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 aging.
Hyaluronic acid and L-Glycine create a skin-friendly synergy in the MoleQlar product.
GlyNAC and type 2 diabetes mellitus
In addition to the exciting results from Dr.Sekhar and his team were able to confirm the effectiveness of GlyNAC in patients with diabetes mellitus in another pilot study. GlyNAC also contributed to improved mitochondrial function here. Especially in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, the mitochondria seem to no longer 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 metabolize fatty acids optimally through the mitochondria. This leads to functionally impaired mitochondria, which are 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. Interestingly, this effect ceased as soon as the intake of GlyNAC was stopped, which at least provides initial evidence for a causality.
Conclusion
In summary, it can be stated that GlyNAC can be an effective approach to keep your mitochondria healthy and fit in old age. In the coming years, many new longevity studies on this promising molecule will certainly emerge. However, the existing data already suggest that GlyNAC can be an important building block for staying fit in old age.
