Glycine for Dogs: Benefits, Uses, & More

Glycine might be the smallest amino acid, but did you know that in many animals it's also the most abundant amino acid?¹ Read on for what the research says about glycine's potential health benefits and how you can ensure your dog is getting enough of this crucial compound.

Key Takeaways

Glycine is an amino acid that is crucial for all kinds of bodily functions.
It's generally considered a conditionally essential amino acid, meaning it can be produced by the body but not always in sufficient quantities.
Glycine is also a precursor to glutathione, a powerful antioxidant with many of its own potential benefits.
As such, you might consider giving your dog glycine supplements, as they may help support the health of their skin, gut, muscles, joints, and much more.
Two great options are our Liver Detox System and Maxx Life, which both combine L-Glycine with other powerful compounds.

See Related: How Milk Thistle Can Benefit Your Dog

What is Glycine?

Glycine is an amino acid. Amino acids are the building blocks used to create proteins, which are crucial for many bodily processes. Healthy muscle growth, the immune system, various metabolic processes... the body depends on proteins, and therefore on amino acids, for all kinds of things.

There are hundreds of possible amino acids, but just 20 are critical for the formation of proteins.² Glycine is the smallest and simplest of these amino acids.

Non-Essential Amino Acid

Glycine is considered a non-essential amino acid. That doesn't mean it's not essential for your dog's body. It means your dog should produce it themselves.

In contrast, essential amino acids are those that cannot be made by the body, so must be consumed in food (including supplements).³

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Why Consider Glycine Supplementation?

Just because glycine should be produced naturally by your dog doesn't mean you should consider adding it to their diet.

For one thing, your dog may not produce enough glycine to meet their needs.⁴

For example, glycine production can be undermined by stress. This is why glycine is technically considered a conditionally essential amino acid. It's normally produced by the body, but in times of stress that production might not be sufficient to meet the body's needs.⁵

Interestingly, some scientists argue that glycine should be considered essential, as. They contend that the body's production often fails to meet its needs.⁶

We don't want that, of course. To fully understand why glycine is so important, let's discuss a few of the many potential benefits it provides.

Muscle Recovery

Glycine is crucial for normal muscle recovery. Research suggests it can help manage the accumulation of lactic acid, which is produced by the body during high-intensity exercise.⁷ Studies have also shown that glycine may even help with muscle loss.⁸

In one small study, dogs given glycine had 33% higher maximum muscle force after a period of physical stress compared to dogs given only saline solution.⁹

Joint Health

Research suggests that glycine may help enhance joint health. In one study, for example, dogs given glycine demonstrated steady or improved joint and bone health.¹⁰

Skin Health

Amino acids, including glycine, are important for maintaining healthy skin and coat.¹¹ Glycine is a key ingredient in collagen, which is vital for healthy muscles, joints, skin, and more.¹²

Gut Health

Studies show that glycine is important for helping support a healthy gut. For example, one study found that glycine supplementation helped mice maintain a healthy intestinal tract.¹³ Other compounds like bovine colostrum can help with the gut, too.

Relaxation

Glycine plays an important role in the nervous system.¹⁴ Glycine may help dogs maintain a normal disposition, and research suggests it can help with sleep, too.¹⁵ Interestingly, one study found that fearful dogs had lower levels of glycine than non-fearful dogs.¹⁶

Bonus: Is it Safe for Dogs to Eat CBD Gummies?

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Antioxidants

Glycine is an important precursor for glutathione, a powerful antioxidant with many of its own potential health benefits. As an antioxidant, glutathione helps protect the body from oxidative stress, which is damage done by reactive molecules called free radicals. ¹⁷

Immune Function

Glycine may even help support the immune system. Research shows that collagen plays an important part in the mechanism by which cells defend themselves. Remember, glycine is crucial for collagen formation.¹⁸

How to Give Your Dog Glycine

Glycine can be found in many different foods, including chicken, peanuts, and salmon.¹⁹

One of the most effective ways to give your dog glycine is through supplements. Our Liver Detox System contains L-Glycine, as well as several other powerful compounds, to help enhance liver and kidney function. Note that the liver and kidney are central to your dog's natural production of glycine, too.²⁰

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Conclusion

Glycine is an amino acid with many potential health benefits. While it's technically made by the body, you might want to consider adding it to your dog's diet. One great way to do that is with our Liver Detox System.

Keep Reading: How to Give Your Dog N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC)

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does Glycine Do For Dogs?

Glycine has many different potential benefits. As an amino acid, it's a building block for all kinds of proteins, including collagen. It's also a precursor to glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that can protect the body from oxidative stress.

Research shows that glycine may help support normal cardiovascular, immune, and neurological function, and may help support skin and gut health.

What Not to Mix With Glycine?

Glycine may interact with certain medications or supplements. If your dog is taking something else, or has a sensitive stomach, check with your vet first.

How to Calculate Glycine Dosage For Dogs?

For specific dosage instructions, always check what your supplement recommends. That's because the right dose can vary widely, depending on factors like your dog's size and weight.

For example, our Liver Detox System comes with three different recommended doses:

Small dogs should get 1/3 to 1/2 of a capsule per day.
Medium dogs should get one capsule per day.
Large dogs can have up to two capsules per day.

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Earth Buddy is an environmentally conscious and family-owned company dedicated to providing natural solutions for pets. From our CBD oils to our colostrum supplements, our products are designed to promote calmness and encourage relaxation for our furry friends. To learn more and stay connected, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Pinterest.

Glycine for Dogs: Benefits, Uses, & More

Key Takeaways