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Glycine and Sleep

According to a report published by Asia Pulse news service, Japanese researchers conducted studies on men and women with sleep difficulties, using the amino acid glycine. The study demonstrates glycine supplementation promotes deep sleep.

Subjects who took three grams of glycine within an hour of bedtime reportedly fell asleep sooner than control subjects who did not supplement. Subjects reported feeling refreshed on waking, with no indication that glycine produced “morning hangover,” that is commonly associated with prescription sleep medications.

Glycine, an amino acid, is believed to play an important role in “disconnecting” the brain from the body during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep cycles. REM is a recurring sleep state characterized by rapid eye movements and vivid dreaming. Previous research has shown that glycine supplementation improves memory and attention in adults.

Glycine and Gastric Ulcers

In another Japanese study, researchers investigated glycine’s potential as an antibacterial agent for the treatment of antibiotic-resistant H. pylori bacteria, which is believed to be an underlying cause of gastric ulcers.

In laboratory experiments, scientists demonstrated that glycine acted alone to reduce H. pylori infection. When combined with the antibiotic amoxicillin, glycine reduced by a factor of 10 the amount of amoxicillin needed to kill the bacteria.

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