L-Glycine
Benefits of L-Glycine
- Sleep
- Collagen
- Form: Amino Acid
- Food source: Soy, pumpkin and squash seeds, spinach, legumes, bananas and oranges.
What is L-Glycine?
L-Glycine is an amino acid, one of the building blocks of protein. It also acts as a messenger (a 'neurotransmitter') in the brain and spinal cord. L-Glycine is involved in a range of muscle, metabolic and brain processes in the body.
L-Glycine is also used to build proteins, one of which is collagen. In fact, glycine makes up around a third of the amino acids in collagen.
What does the research say about L-Glycine?
Glycine has been studied for its effects on sleep. Researchers have looked at how glycine acts on the part of the brain that sets our body clock, and at its effect on body temperature, which naturally falls as we drift off. L-Glycine has also been studied for its effect on sleep onset latency, meaning the time it takes to fall asleep.
Collagen gives structure to our skin, hair and joints, and a study of collagen peptides looked at their effects on skin physiology.
You may also enjoy reading 'Suffering from poor sleep? You're not alone', 'How diet impacts your sleep quality' and 'The truth about collagen'.
L-Proline
L-Proline is a unique, skin-loving amino acid that is an essential component of collagen production.
L-Theanine
L-Theanine, known as a 'calming' amino acid, is naturally found in the body and helps your body relax and manage feelings of stress.
Magnesium Citrate
Magnesium is a 'mineral superhero', supporting over 300 processes in the body. It is vital for psychological wellbeing, energy, relaxation, healthy mood, muscles, and bones.
Rhodiola
Rhodiola is a herb with adaptogenic properties and studied for helping us cope calmly with stress, maintain emotional balance, and support stamina.
Selenium
Selenium is an important mineral for the immune system. It also helps maintain healthy hair and nails and is necessary for the use of Iodine in thyroid hormone function.
Zinc
Zinc is essential for the normal functioning of our immune system, and for the health of our hair and skin. Infections, hair loss and white marks on nails are among the signs of a deficiency.
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb, which helps your body to deal with stressful situations, support emotional resilience and relaxation.
Chamomile
For years Chamomile has been used as a natural remedy to treat poor sleep and is often regarded as a sleep inducer, thought to be due to the calming effects of apigenin, an antioxidant.
