:Glycine:

Function: wound healing, sedative.

Glycine is the simplest nonessential amino acid. It is called glycine because it resembles the sweet taste of glucose (blood sugar) and glycogen (liver starch).

Glycine is a simple, nonessential amino acid, although experimental animals show reduced growth on low-glycine diets. The average adult ingests 3 to 5 grams of glycine daily. Glycine is involved in the body's production of DNA, phospholipids and collagen, and in release of energy. Glycine levels are effectively measured in plasma in both normal patients and those with inborn errors of glycine metabolism. Glycine is probably the third major inhibitory neurotransmitter of the brain; glycine therapy readily passes the blood-brain barrier.

Reports of possible therapeutic uses are varied. Glycine is probably effective in calming the manic episodes of manic depression, and in the treatment of spasticity and epilepsy, because of its sedative properties. Depressed and epileptic patients often have low glycine levels.

Gout, myasthenia, muscular dystrophy, benign prostate hypertrophy and high cholesterol may respond to glycine therapy. The data supporting these claims are optimistic but not well documented. Glycine releases growth hormone when given in high doses.

Glycine is a very nontoxic amino acid. Even 30 grams of glycine produces zero side effects. Some manic-depressive patients have benefited from glycine. Threonine is often used as an alternative source of glycine therapy.

Dimethylglycine (DMG) is an intermediate in the metabolism of choline and glycine. DMG's effects are mostly attributed to its conversion to glycine. DMG oxygenates, is antioxidant, relieves muscle spasms, may help control epilepsy and acts as an immunostimulant. Trimethylglycine (TMG) is an even more effective methyl donor than DMG, having 3 methyl groups to donate. It increases SAMe levels.