Tier 4 — mechanistic

An Update of the Promise of Glycine Supplementation for Enhancing Physical Performance and Recovery

Ramos-Jiménez A, Hernández-Torres RP, Hernández-Ontiveros DA, Ortiz-Ortiz M, López-Fregoso RJ, Martínez-Sanz JM, Rodríguez-Uribe G, Hernández-Lepe MA
Sports (Basel, Switzerland) 2024 12(10):265

Bibliography

PubMed
PMID 39453231
PubMed Central
PMC11510825
DOI
10.3390/sports12100265
Funding
Conahcyt and CUMex/AUIP support, as detailed in the publication.
Competing interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Study snapshot

DesignNarrative review
ModelHuman and preclinical literature
SampleReview of cell, animal and limited human performance literature
InterventionGlycine, muscle protection, recovery and exercise-related studies
DurationNot applicable; 2024 review
EndpointsMuscle wasting; Performance and recovery; Sleep; Dose-related concerns

What the study showed, in plain terms

This review describes plausible muscle-protection mechanisms but concludes that more human randomized trials are needed before glycine can be established as an ergogenic aid.

Key findings

  • Most mechanistic support comes from preclinical models.
  • Human findings include different preparations and exercise contexts.

What this study can and cannot tell us

Narrative synthesis, not a pooled effect or new performance trial.

Results for glycine-containing derivatives or mixtures cannot be assigned to plain glycine.

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Editorial review

Reviewed by the Biohack Blueprint research team

Last verified

Dr. Khaled Mahmoud, MBBChCritical Care Medicine, Longevity Science & Editorial Direction