Unveiling the Hidden Marvels within Your Collagen Supplement: The Glycine Edition

In the complex make-up of our bodies, collagen plays a lead role. Often overlooked, this protein weaves its magic across our bones, skin, teeth, muscles, cartilage, organs, tendons, ligaments, intestines, and arteries, and whilst taking care of your innards is of course important, we also know how easy it is to become distracted by how we look on the outside.  The truth of the matter is, it’s swings and roundabouts!  Liking what you see in the mirror starts with a little bit of internal loving.  

If you’re looking to reverse the signs of ageing and live in a world where wrinkles retreat, joints rejoice and bones regain their strength but are sick to death of fighting your way through the bustling marketplace of anti-ageing elixirs that fail to keep their promise of eternal youth, collagen stands as a quiet legend. Amid potions and promises, this unassuming protein whispers its timeless wisdom. 

Close your eyes and journey back—way back—to the dawn of existence because four billion years ago, an amino acid found in collagen sparked life on Earth.  Imagine Earth as a cosmic canvas, waiting for life’s first brushstroke. That stroke? Glycine—the unsung hero that shaped our very essence.

Billions of years ago, Earth’s stage was set. Blue-green algae—the pioneers of life—danced in primordial oceans. Their secret? Glycine. This tiny amino acid, like a cosmic conductor, orchestrated the grandest symphony—the birth of biomass. Here’s the cosmic twist: In 2009, NASA confirmed its celestial presence. Glycine isn’t bound by Earth’s gravity. It flits through space, riding comets and meteorites too. Their icy cores—radiated by UV light—held glycine. As they kissed Earth’s atmosphere, they gifted us with an amino acid stardust. Glycine, the cosmic messenger, whispered, “Life awaits.”  That’s not all glycine resides in: deep within Earth’s crust, hydrothermal vents simmered. Here, glycine brewed like a cosmic soup. These vents, like alchemical cauldrons, birthed life’s building blocks. Glycine, the first word in life’s story, echoed through these ancient chimneys. Magic, isn’t it?!

Without this amino acid magic, nothing would exist so we think it deserves a little bit of the limelight… before you start reaching for your plant based collagen, know that collagen that derives from animals contains 3-4 more times more glycine, so step away from the vegan alternative - it’s pointless, and here’s why…

Glycine orchestrates our existence.  Glycine isn’t just a collagen sidekick. It’s a biochemical wizard. It weaves proteins, fortifies cells, and dances with biochemical reactions. On its own, it fuels muscle health, insulin sensitivity, and optimal blood glucose control; however, it also supports, and perhaps most importantly, the synthesis of the body’s collagen.  Without Glycine, your collagen depletes at a rate of knots! However, here exists the Glycine paradox: Glycine, deemed “non-essential,” (pah!) defies labels. Our bodies synthesise about 3g of glycine a day, but we need between 10 to 15g of it for it to support the body’s natural collagen production. Until recently, we believed collagen turnover plodded along for years. But surprise! Collagen renewal is a daily affair. Glycine, the timekeeper, ensures our skin, bones, and tendons stay vibrant. Chronic glycine deprivation is why the years roll by far too quickly and our skin bares the brunt. 

Our bones and joints crave collagen. It’s the scaffolding that keeps them sturdy. As we age, bone density wavers and joint lubrication dries up. Glycine wields a double-edged sword. As a key player in collagen, it shapes our skin’s resilience and our bones’ fortitude. But there’s more: glycine moonlights as an inflammation whisperer. When it falters or is deficient, inflammatory storms brew. Osteoporosis, the silent thief of bone strength, often tracing back to glycine’s absence, which is something we are more in danger of post menopause. After menopause, our oestrogen levels are virtually non-existent and oestrogen is a key player in the synthesis of glycine.

Beyond skin and bones lies a hidden war: muscle loss. After 30, we bid farewell to muscle mass at a rate of 1% per year. By 80, we’ve lost half our strength. But here’s the twist: muscle equals longevity. Greater muscle mass dances with reduced mortality risk. It’s the secret to a longer encore; therefore, supplementing with collagen or our clean protein powders, which is made with bone broth and also packs a glycine punch, could literally extend your life. Talking of longevity…a study was conducted whereby mice were given glycine.  The results? A whopping 30 to 40% increase in their mousey lifetimes. Not too shabby, right?

Picture your brain as a bustling metropolis, its neurons firing like city lights. Amidst this cerebral hubbub, two unsung heroes emerge: collagen and glycine. Glycine is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, calming the stormy seas of neural activity. Imagine it as a lullaby for your synapses, supporting GABA and serotonin levels and therefore sleep, soothing insomnia, headaches, and even convulsions. In addition, Glycine fuels neurogenesis—the birth of new brain cells. When neurons need a pep talk, glycine steps in, whispering, "Grow, little ones, grow!". But wait, there’s more! High doses of glycine might just tame the wild beast of OCD. Behold the magic: reduced OCD behaviour, improved cognition, and a brighter future for those ensnared by the disorder.

The magic doesn’t stop there as it holds the key to soothing the tempest of schizophrenia and psychosis and reducing alcohol addiction. As drug-seeking behaviour wanes, the brain nods in approval. Ethanol, take a step back; creativity and calmness are stealing the spotlight. What’s more, Collagen and Glycine’s Neuro Symphony shouts “Fear not, beta amyloid proteins!” Those pesky proteins play a villainous role in Alzheimer’s disease, but collagen stands guard, deflecting their harmful effects. It’s like a mediaeval knight protecting the castle walls, ensuring the brain’s longevity.

Each microbe that lives in the depths of your gut is unique.  These trillions of bacteria, fungi, and viruses form the gut microbiome—a hidden network that communicates with our brains. It’s like a secret signal highway connecting the gastrointestinal tract to the central nervous system (CNS). And guess what? This gut-brain axis isn’t just a backstage pass; it’s a VIP ticket to our mental well-being.

These gut microbes that make up your gut microbiome identify pathogens, viruses, and shape our immune responses. Up to 70% of our immune system resides in the gut, sending messages to every nook of our body. It’s like a microbial Morse code, whispering health cues to our brains.

Your brain is guarded by the blood-brain barrier (BBB). This cellular fortress separates the bloodstream from the brain, allowing only safe and invited guests. But when the BBB falters—due to intestinal permeability or leaky gut—it’s like a breach in the castle walls. Neuroinflammation, stress, and other unwelcome elements slip through, affecting brain function.

Benzoic acid is a preservative lurking in fruit juices, soft drinks, and salad dressings that can nibble away at your glycine reserves, but fear not! Here’s where collagen swoops in. Add collagen to your coffee, sodas, and sauces, or supplement with our protein powders and watch your glycine levels rise. Collagen-rich bone stocks and gelatine are also your allies in this battle against benzoic acid.