Sleep easy with natural glycine
Deep regenerative sleep is essential if we are to feel and perform at our best.
A lack of sleep or poor-quality sleep, on the other hand, is associated with increased risk for many chronic diseases and troubling conditions, including obesity, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and depression.
Unfortunately, many adults report occasional bouts of insomnia, with one in three saying they suffer from sleeplessness or disturbed sleep on a more chronic basis, to the point it regularly impairs daytime functioning.
The good news is that an inexpensive, naturally occurring amino acid known as glycine has been clinically researched and shown to be highly beneficial in supporting healthy sleep.
Subjects in one study in Japan who were given three grams of glycine one hour before bedtime fell asleep much sooner and exhibited more of the brainwave patterns associated with deep sleep, compared with control subjects who did not supplement.
Upon waking, the subjects who took the glycine reported feeling refreshed, without any indication that glycine produced a ‘‘morning hangover’’ or the sort of foggy feeling common among users of prescription sleeping medication.
Glycine is known to accumulate in the pineal gland and is believed to play an important role in ‘‘disconnecting’’ the brain from the body during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep cycles.
Glycine also supports healthy growth hormone (GH) secretion, which is associated with strength, good health and vitality, whereas low secretion of GH is associated with advanced ageing and increased disease.
Other clinical research has shown glycine supplementation to improve memory and attention in young to older adults.
Spanish researchers have studied the effect of glycine supplementation in 600 subjects between the ages of four and 85 years who suffer from osteoarthritis, osteoporosis or physical injuries.
Participants were given 5g of glycine in the morning and 5g in the evening. In all cases symptoms significantly improved.
Marshall’s Health & Natural Therapy stocks glycine as part of its selection of specialised herbal remedies and nutritional supplements.
Owner Julian Marshall says it is clear now that glycine is a very safe amino acid, which appears to be highly beneficial for a good-quality sleep and general good health.
‘‘The NOW supplements we have in store only use a natural pharmaceutical-grade, free-form glycine that is also suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
‘‘NOW operate one of the most advanced private laboratories and production facilities in the natural products industry. They promise they take every possible step to ensure the safety and efficacy of every product they produce.
‘‘At Marshall’s we know you are buying the best products available anywhere when you buy the NOW brand,’’ he says.
❚ Glycine and more information is available from the natural health specialists at Marshall’s Health & Natural Therapy. Visit the store weekdays, 9.30am-5.30pm, and Saturdays, 10am-5pm, at 101 Seaview Rd, New Brighton, or phone 03 388 5757.