Skip to main content

Glycine

Uses

Glycine is a nonessential amino acid used by the body to build proteins. It is present in considerable amounts in prostate fluid.

What Are Star Ratings?

This supplement has been used in connection with the following health conditions:

Used for Why
3 Stars
Schizophrenia
0.8 grams for every 2.2 lbs (1 kg) of body weight under medical supervision
Supplementing with glycine appears to help improve depression and mental symptoms and may reduce symptoms in people unresponsive to drug therapy.

There have been several reports of reducing the symptoms of people with schizophrenia who were unresponsive to drug therapy. Large amounts of glycine (0.8 gram per 2.2 pounds of body weight per day) have been shown to reduce negative symptoms of schizophrenia and improve psychiatric rating scores in one preliminary trial; however, these results have not been repeated in later trials using similar (very high) amounts. Earlier double-blind trials found significant improvements in depression and mental symptoms in people with schizophrenia who took glycine for six weeks. Most trials demonstrated a moderate improvement in schizophrenia symptoms in those taking glycine supplements. Long-term supplementation with high amounts of glycine may be toxic to nerve tissue, however. Some preliminary successes have been reported using smaller amounts of glycine, such as 10 grams per day. Long-term studies on the safety of glycine therapy are needed.

Next Section:

How It Works
 

PeaceHealth endeavors to provide comprehensive health care information, however some topics in this database describe services and procedures not offered by our providers or within our facilities because they do not comply with, nor are they condoned by, the ethics policies of our organization.