Rankings / Longevity — Supplements
Glycine + NAC (GlyNAC)
Longevity · Amino acid combo
Tier B+
Bottom line
Read Off Label grades Glycine + NAC (GlyNAC) as B+ (7.1/10) based on moderate evidence, med benefit magnitude, and a low-risk safety profile.
Kumar/Sekhar Baylor team showed 16-week GlyNAC supplementation in older adults improved oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, insulin resistance, grip strength, gait speed, inflammatory markers, and multiple hallmarks of aging (Kumar 2023, J Gerontol).
Typical use: Glycine 100 mg/kg + NAC 100 mg/kg daily (Kumar/Sekhar protocol) — OTC.
What this is
Kumar/Sekhar Baylor team showed 16-week GlyNAC supplementation in older adults improved oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, insulin resistance, grip strength, gait speed, inflammatory markers, and multiple hallmarks of aging (Kumar 2023, J Gerontol). 2024 Sekhar follow-up (Innovation in Aging supplement, 24-week pilot) extended findings to age-associated cognitive decline with improved cognition plus metabolic and inflammatory markers. Critical caveat: benefits disappear ~12 weeks after stopping — continuous supplementation required to sustain effects. Preclinical Kumar 2023 (Antioxidants) describes a 'brain glucose steal' phenomenon — aged mitochondrial dysfunction shunts glucose away from the brain — that GlyNAC reversed in aged mice. MCI/Alzheimer pilots underway at Baylor.
Mechanism
Combined glycine + NAC replenishes glutathione (primary intracellular antioxidant); improves mitochondrial function; reduces oxidative stress and genotoxicity; shown to reverse multiple hallmarks of aging in older adults
Dose & route
Glycine 100 mg/kg + NAC 100 mg/kg daily (Kumar/Sekhar protocol)
Citations
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33876242/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34746943/
- https://academic.oup.com/biomedgerontology/article/78/1/75/6624702
- https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/12/5/1042
- https://academic.oup.com/innovateage/article/8/Supplement_1/250/7936620
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Common questions
- Does Glycine + NAC (GlyNAC) work?
- Read Off Label rates the evidence for Glycine + NAC (GlyNAC) as Moderate and the benefit magnitude as med, producing an overall grade of B+ (7.1/10). Kumar/Sekhar Baylor team showed 16-week GlyNAC supplementation in older adults improved oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, insulin resistance, grip strength, gait speed, inflammatory markers, and multiple hallmarks of aging (Kumar 2023, J Gerontol).
- Is Glycine + NAC (GlyNAC) safe?
- Glycine + NAC (GlyNAC) has a low risk profile in published human data. Legal status: OTC. This is not medical advice — see the disclaimer.
- What is the typical dose for Glycine + NAC (GlyNAC)?
- Glycine 100 mg/kg + NAC 100 mg/kg daily (Kumar/Sekhar protocol)
- How does Glycine + NAC (GlyNAC) work?
- Combined glycine + NAC replenishes glutathione (primary intracellular antioxidant); improves mitochondrial function; reduces oxidative stress and genotoxicity; shown to reverse multiple hallmarks of aging in older adults
This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.