As we age, we may experience problems like muscle weakness, inflammation, and insulin resistance. These issues are linked to oxidative stress and problems with our mitochondria, which are essential for energy production. Scientists have also identified nine "hallmarks of aging" that contribute to age-related health problems, but we don't fully understand the causes of these issues.
Glutathione is an important antioxidant that protects our cells from damage, but as we age, we may become deficient in glutathione. Researchers have found that a combination of amino acids (glycine and N-acetylcysteine) called GlyNAC can improve our levels of glutathione and reduce oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and insulin resistance.
To test whether GlyNAC supplementation could improve these issues in older adults, a placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial was conducted. The study involved 24 older adults and 12 young adults who were given either GlyNAC or a placebo for 16 weeks. The participants were studied before, after two weeks, and after 16 weeks of supplementation.