May Protect Your Heart

Glycine appears to protect against heart disease, according to growing data. It inhibits the buildup of a chemical that has been related to atherosclerosis, or the hardening and constriction of the arteries, in high concentrations. This amino acid may also boost your body's capacity to utilize nitric oxide, a critical chemical that increases blood flow and decreases blood pressure. Higher levels of glycine were related to a decreased incidence of heart disease and heart attacks in an observational study of over 4,100 persons with chest symptoms after a 7.4-year follow-up. After controlling for cholesterol-lowering drugs, the researchers discovered that persons with greater glycine levels had a better blood cholesterol profile.

Furthermore, in rats fed a high-sugar diet, glycine was found to diminish various risk factors for heart disease. Consuming too much added sugar can raise blood pressure, increase fat levels in the blood, and encourage harmful fat accumulation around the abdomen, all of which can lead to heart disease. While promising, more research on the effects of glycine on heart disease risk in people is required before it can be advised.