A study led by researchers at Baylor College of Medicine found that taking a supplement called GlyNAC, which combines glycine and N-acetylcysteine, can improve many age-related issues in older people and support healthy aging. This is important because until now, there haven't been any proven solutions to address these age-related declines.

The study, published in the Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences, found that older people who took GlyNAC for 16 weeks experienced improvements in several aspects of aging. This includes lower oxidative stress, better muscle strength, improved walking speed, increased exercise capacity, reduced waist size, and lower blood pressure.

Dr. Rajagopal Sekhar, the lead researcher, explained that GlyNAC supplementation helped improve mitochondrial function and reduce oxidative stress in the muscles of older adults, similar to the improvements seen in the heart, liver, and kidneys of aged mice given GlyNAC. These results suggest that GlyNAC can improve the health of different organs in the body.

Mitochondria, often called the "powerhouses" of the cell, generate the energy needed for cells to function properly. As we age, the ability of mitochondria to function well declines. Dr. Sekhar and his team found that supplementing with GlyNAC helped improve the function of these malfunctioning mitochondria in older people, moving their function closer to that of younger individuals.

GlyNAC supplementation also helps protect the body from oxidative stress, which is caused by high levels of toxic waste products known as free radicals. This oxidative stress can damage our cells and DNA and is common in aging. Glutathione, a natural antioxidant, is produced by our cells to protect against this harmful oxidative stress. However, in older individuals, glutathione levels are often low, and oxidative stress is high. GlyNAC supplementation can correct this imbalance.

Dr. Sekhar emphasizes that taking GlyNAC is not the same as taking glutathione directly. GlyNAC provides the building blocks needed for cells to produce their own glutathione in just the right amount, offering a natural solution to correct glutathione deficiency.

The study also found that GlyNAC supplementation improved several markers of aging, which could help people age in a healthier way. These improvements were seen even though the study participants didn't change their usual diet or physical activity, suggesting that the benefits came from the GlyNAC supplementation.

As the population of older adults continues to grow, understanding how to promote healthier aging becomes more critical. Dr. Sekhar plans to further explore the health benefits of GlyNAC supplementation and conduct larger clinical trials to better understand how GlyNAC can improve health as we age. Additionally, his team has found evidence suggesting that GlyNAC supplementation may improve memory and cognition in older adults, and they are working on a report to share these exciting new findings.