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 that this molecule can do.
If you combine NAC with glycine, an effective active complex is created. GlyNAC was able to have a positive effect on the aging process not only in animal studies, but also in humans. In this article, we will give you an insight into the molecular mechanism of action of GlyNAC and explain why it can be useful for you.
Two become one – how GlyNAC works
As already mentioned, GlyNAC actually consists of two molecules. Glycine is a non-essential amino acid – that means our body can produce it from other amino acids. Glycine plays an important role in the brain, where it acts as a neurotransmitter to regulate nerve impulses. In addition, the molecule promotes muscle growth and affects in the complex with hyaluronic acid positive effect on the skin out of.
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 foodIn 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 bodyTo 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, the cysteine is released through a process called hydrolysis. This gives us the first building block for our glutathione. In the second step, cysteine reacts with glutamate, before the glycine is added in the third and final stepWe now have a new molecule of glutathione. The great advantage of GlyNAC is that you have two of the three building blocks for glutathione at your disposal.
Did you know? NAC is a important "antidote" in case of overdose or intoxication with paracetamolToo high a dose 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 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 of our body. Imagine this molecule as a kind of “guardian” and “fire brigade” combined.
Free radicals are produced through all the biochemical processes in our cells.If there are too many of them, they can, for example, damage our DNA. Glutathione neutralizes these radicals using electronsFurthermore, the molecule can regenerate other antioxidants, such as vitamin C and E.
A second major The task of glutathione is detoxificationHigh concentrations of this molecule are found in the liver, our world champion detoxifier. 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 through urine.
Glutathione is, to put it simply, 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 ageing cell power plants
Mitochondria are true wonders. Our billions of power plants provide us with the energy we need to live every day. In our heart cells alone, mitochondria make up about a third of the total volume.
For 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 without reason that experts, such as Dr. Peter Attia for regular measurement.
Unfortunately, as we age, our mitochondria not only decrease in number, but also lose their performance. This so-called mitochondrial dysfunction is a sign of aging. Some studies have already shown that exercise, a healthy diet and regular cold baths improve mitochondrial function.
However, sport alone is often not enough. Here GlyNAC can be a real alternativeIn a randomized, double-blind study of the Bayor College of Medicine was able to show that 16 weeks of 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 to NAD. Either the increase in production by vitamin B3 derivatives or the degradation inhibition through, for example apigenin.
Further 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 neither exercised more nor changed their diet – one group simply took GlyNAC, while the second group received a placebo.
When taken regularly, older test subjects in particular benefited. Her blood pressure was lower, the waist circumference became less and their insulin sensitivity improved.
In addition, the study authors were able to identify several positive effects on the various Hallmarks of Aging notice. Less inflammation, less senescent cells and less genomic instability provide a possible explanation for the life-prolonging effect of GlyNAC.
This is significant because although there have been a number of animal studies confirming the effect of GlyNAC, 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 24% longer after taking GlyNAC, can be reproduced in humans remains to be seen in further studies. Nevertheless, this work by Prof. Sekhar is an important first step, as In addition to the theoretical mode of action, the practical benefits of GlyNAC for us humans have also been confirmed.
In Prof Dr Sekhar’s study, very high doses of GlyNAC were very well tolerated and without side effects.
Why not take glutathione directly?
An important mechanism of GlyNAC is increasing the glutathione level in the bodyAnimal 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?
It is important to remember that every cell in our body contains a different amount of glutathione. Our body regulates the amount of glutathione required for each cell individually and this is extremely important. We know that too much oxidative stress is harmful to our cells - but 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 bodies 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 glutathioneIf a cell does not need additional glutathione, it will not absorb the NAC and will not produce 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 take the precursors of glutathione. This gives 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 theory “The Power of Three”:
To understand this statement, we need to look a little deeper into the biochemistry. Dr. Sekhar argues that the combined power of cysteine (through NAC), glycine and glutathione explains 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 investigated in mice, the effects were significantly greater with GlyNAC. Glycine, as a component of glutathione, represents a limiting factor in biosynthesis. By combining NAC and glycine, we can supply our body with both amino acids. Glycine is an important methyl group donor and thus contributes to a functioning DNA repair.
NAC, or the amino acid cysteine, contains the sulfur-containing thiol group. This is mainly used in the mitochondria. The combined effects of NAC, glycine and glutathione are therefore more effective than the individual moleculesAs the famous philosopher Aristotle (384-322 BC) said: “The whole is more than the sum of its parts.”
Did you know? Glycine not only functions as a precursor to glutathione. The amino acid is also involved, together with hyaluronic acid, in important health processes in the skin. As we age, we lose more and more collagen, the most common 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 skin-close synergy in the MoleQlar product.
GlyNAC and diabetes mellitus type 2
In addition to the exciting results of Dr. Sekhar and his team, another pilot study the Efficacy of GlyNAC in patients with diabetes mellitus be confirmed.
Here too, GlyNAC contributed to improved mitochondrial function. Especially in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, the mitochondria no longer seem to function optimally. The exact mechanism behind this is not yet fully understood. However, researchers assume that that patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus can no longer optimally metabolize fatty acids via the mitochondriaThis results in impaired mitochondria, which are associated with the complications of diabetes mellitus.
This study showed in humans and mice that supplementation with GlyNAC can increase glutathione levels, allowing mitochondria to metabolize fatty acids normally again. Interestingly, this effect stopped when the supply of GlyNAC was stopped, which provides at least initial evidence for causality.
Conclusion
In summary, it can be said that GlyNAC can be an effective approach to keep your mitochondria healthy and fit as you ageIn the next few years, many new longevity studies on this promising molecule will certainly appear. However, the existing data already suggest that GlyNAC can be an important building block for staying fit longer in old age.
