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's not all this molecule can do.
If you combine NAC with glycine, an effective active complex is created. GlyNAC could 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 how GlyNAC works and explain why it can be useful for you.
Turn two into one – how GlyNAC works
As already mentioned, GlyNAC actually consists of two molecules. Glycine is a non-essential amino acid - this means 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 acts in complex with hyaluron positive on the skin out.
N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) is a derivative of the sulfur-containing amino acid cysteine. The molecule was discovered in 1899, although it neither occurs in our bodies nor in food. In addition to its role as an expectorant, the substance is also known for its strong antioxidant properties. In addition, NAC is a precursor of glutathione, the most important antioxidant molecule in the human body. In order to understand this important step in more detail, we have 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 through the blood. Once there, the cysteine is released via a process called hydrolysis. So 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. We already have a new molecule glutathione. The big advantage of GlyNAC is that two of the three building blocks for glutathione are available to you.
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 supplies are eventually exhausted. With NAC as a precursor to glutathione, these reserves can be replenished.
GlyNAC is a promising molecule when it comes to cellular energy and biological age.
Glutathione – the radical scavenger of our cells
Glutathione is found in almost all cells in our body. Imagine this molecule as a kind of “guardian” and “fire department” together.
All the biochemical processes in our cells produce free radicals. If there are too many of them, they can damage our DNA, for example. Glutathione neutralizes these radicals using electrons. The molecule can also regenerate other antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E.
A second major task of glutathione is detoxification. There are high concentrations of this molecule in the liver, our detoxification world champion. With the help of an enzyme, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione is loaded onto a potentially toxic substance when necessary. This makes the new molecule more water-soluble and our body can excrete it more easily in the urine.
To put it simply, glutathione is one of our most important helpers in keeping our cells healthy.
GlyNAC supports the glutathione balance in the body and ensures that free radicals do not take over.
Mitochondria – the crux of the aging cell power plants
Mitochondria are true miracles. Our billions of power plants provide us with the energy we need for life every day. In our heart cells alone, mitochondria make up about 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's not for nothing that experts like Dr. Peter Attia for regular measurement.
Unfortunately, as we age, our mitochondria not only become fewer in number, but also lose their performance. This so-called mitochondrial dysfunction is a hallmark of aging. Some studies have already shown that exercise, a healthy diet and regular cold baths in particular improve mitochondrial function.
Often, however, sport alone is not enough. GlyNAC can be a real alternative here. In a randomized, double-blind study at the Bayor College of Medicine it was shown that a 16-week, regular Taking 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 advantages of GlyNAC
In a new, randomized, clinical study by Prof Dr. Rajagopal Sekhar found further positive effects from taking GlyNAC. The study participants neither did more exercise nor changed their diet - only one group took GlyNAC, while the second group received a placebo.
When taken regularly, the older test subjects in particular benefited from it. Her blood pressure was lower, the abdominal circumference decreased and her insulin sensitivity improved.
In addition, the study authors were able to determine several positive effects on the various Hallmarks of Aging . Less inflammation, less senescent cells and less genomic instability provide a possible explanation for the life-extending effect of GlyNAC.
This is significant because although there have been a number of previous animal studies that have confirmed the effect of GlyNAC, this is the first time work has the effectiveness of GlyNAC in humans has been impressively demonstrated.
Further studies will have to show whether the life-extending data from mice, some of which lived 24% longer by taking GlyNAC, can also be reproduced in humans. Nevertheless, this work by Prof. Sekhar was an important first step because in addition to the theoretical mode of action, the practical benefit of GlyNAC for us humans was also confirmed.
In the study by Prof Dr. Sekhar, very high doses of GlyNAC were tolerated very well and without side effects.
Why shouldn't you take glutathione directly?
An important mechanism of GlyNAC is increasing glutathione levels in the body. Animal studies have already demonstrated that supplementation with GlyNAC led 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 that 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 whack. The situation is different with GlyNAC.
By supplementing the precursors, our body can individually regulate the required amount of glutathione. So if a cell doesn't need any additional glutathione, it doesn't absorb the NAC at all and doesn't produce any additional glutathione.
GlyNAC capsules enable the organism to be supplied with glutathione precursors as needed - 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. In 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 have further advantages, as Dr. Sekhar explains in his study. To explain why GlyNAC works better than NAC or glycine alone, he puts forward the theory “The Power of Three”:
To understand this statement, we have to look a little deeper into biochemistry. Dr Sekhar argues that the combined power of cysteine (through NAC), glycine and glutathione accounts for the positive effects on cellular health. Glutathione is the most powerful antioxidant - but its effect is not enough to explain all the effects of GlyNAC.
In other studies, the supplementation of NAC versus GlyNAC was examined in mice, whereby 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 thus contributes to functioning 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 B.C.BC) already said: “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.“
Did you know? Glycine not only functions as a precursor to glutathione. The amino acid, together with hyaluronic 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 aging.
Hyaluron and L-glycine form a close-to-skin synergy in the MoleQlar product.
GlyNAC and diabetes mellitus type 2
In addition to the exciting results of Dr. Sekhar and his team were able to test the efficacy of GlyNAC in patients with diabetes mellitus< in another pilot study t229> confirmed.
GlyNAC also contributed to improved mitochondrial function. 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 limited mitochondria in their function, which are associated with the complications of diabetes mellitus.
In this study, it was shown in humans and mice that supplementation with GlyNAC can increase glutathione levels again, allowing the mitochondria to metabolize fatty acids normally again. Interestingly, this effect stopped as soon as the supply of GlyNAC was stopped, which provides at least initial evidence of causality.
Conclusion
In summary, it can be said that GlyNAC can be an effective approach to keeping your mitochondria healthy and fit as you age. Many new longevity studies on this promising molecule will certainly appear in the next few years. However, the existing data already suggests that GlyNAC can be an important component in staying fit longer in old age.
