by Melissa Chichester
It’s a familiar scene…
You wake up in the morning. You rush to the kitchen. That morning coffee can’t be done in enough time to provide that comforting and familiar pick-me-up.
What if there was a better way? Instead of reaching for another cup of coffee or an energy drink, incorporate glycine into your daily routine to help you get going in the morning.*
Glycine is a non-essential amino acid. This means it is made by the body. Then, your body uses glycine to make proteins, which are essential for the growth and maintenance of tissues (including your muscles). As a component of protein, glycine is also involved in the creation of enzymes, antioxidants, and certain hormones.
For example, glutathione is an antioxidant made by the body from three amino acids. One of these is glycine, with the others being Glutamic acid and cysteine.
Glycine is also involved in creatine creation. Creatine supports muscle strength, power, and recovery from high intensity exercise.* Creatine also plays a key role in energy flow, making it good for short-term, high-intensity exercise.*
You might also be surprised that glycine is involved in collagen production. Collagen provides high concentrations of the amino acids glycine, hydroxyproline, and proline. Glycine is the most abundant amino acid found in collagen.
>>Food Sources of the Nine Essential Amino Acids
Now back to that morning cup of coffee…
Glycine is a caffeine-free, stimulant-free supplement that works with your body’s natural metabolic processes to help reduce morning drowsiness and grogginess.*
Plus, if you want to feel refreshed and clear-headed without the crash that happens from sugar or caffeine, glycine may help.*
Like other amino acids, glycine is found in primarily high-protein foods. This includes:
You can find glycine on its own as a standalone supplement. It is also part of some multivitamin and multimineral formulas. For example, in zinc glycinate, zinc paired with glycine makes the zinc easier to absorb.
As you can see, glycine is a surprisingly versatile amino acid that is involved in many important tasks! However, one of its more impressive benefits is its ability to help with morning fatigue, so you can take before bed and wake up feeling refreshed.*
