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Sleep is a fundamental pillar of health and well-being – and a key factor in living a long life.
When we sleep well, the immune system is strengthened, the body repairs itself, and the brain clears out waste products that could otherwise impact cognition and aging. But good sleep doesn’t always come easily – and for many, it becomes harder with age. Changes in sleep patterns, more frequent awakenings, and lower production of certain hormones can make sleep more restless or shorter.
Research shows that people with a healthy sleep pattern have a significantly lower risk of early death – in fact, up to 25% lower risk of death from all causes compared to those with poor sleep habits. This is especially true when sleep duration is sufficient, falling asleep is easy, one feels well-rested, and sleep medications are avoided.
GlyNAC – a potential key to better sleep and healthy aging
Many are therefore looking for natural ways to support sleep – especially solutions that don’t disrupt the body’s natural rhythm. One area that has gained growing interest is the combination of glycine and N-acetylcysteine (GlyNAC). Both compounds play important roles at the cellular level, and recent research suggests that GlyNAC may have a positive impact on both sleep quality and several aging-related mechanisms.
In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at how the combined supplement GlyNAC may help support better sleep.
Glycine effects on sleep
Glycine has received growing attention for its potential to support better sleep—without causing next-day grogginess or unwanted side effects. When 3 grams were taken before bedtime by individuals struggling with poor sleep, many reported waking up with more energy and feeling less fatigued. These improvements weren’t limited to subjective impressions; glycine has also been linked to measurable changes in sleep patterns. In people with frequent sleep disturbances, it helped reduce the time it took to fall asleep and reach deep, restorative slow-wave sleep. Sleep quality and efficiency improved, while the overall architecture of the sleep cycle remained intact—suggesting that glycine supports the body’s natural rhythm rather than interfering with it.
Safety has also been well documented. In healthy individuals, even 9 grams of glycine taken during the day did not lead to sleepiness or any adverse effects. Earlier data show that daily intakes of up to 31 grams are considered safe, further supporting its potential as a gentle option for improving sleep,. It’s worth noting, however, that this study was published back in 1955.
Altogether, these findings point to glycine as a simple, well-tolerated amino acid that can improve sleep quality in a natural way—supporting both body and mind without the side effects often associated with traditional sleep aids.
Would you like to knpow more about glycines other benefits, read our blog: The amino acid glycine
NAC and sleep quality
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a stable form of the amino acid cysteine, which the body uses to produce glutathione—one of our most important antioxidants. Glutathione protects cells from oxidative stress and plays a key role in brain health, liver function, and immune defense. NAC is known for its anti-inflammatory and mucus-thinning properties, and is used both medically and as a dietary supplement.
Although NAC isn’t a traditional sleep aid, research suggests that it may support sleep indirectly. One of its key effects is helping regulate glutamate, a neurotransmitter that—when elevated—can lead to restlessness and disrupted sleep. By reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, NAC may help calm the nervous system and promote more stable, restful sleep.
Molecule | Function | NAC’s role |
---|---|---|
Glutathione | Antioxidant, protects cells | NAC is a building block (via cysteine) |
Glutamate | Neurotransmitter, stimulates the nervous system | NAC helps regulate its levels |
In short
NAC may indirectly support more restful and stable sleep—especially in people whose sleep issues are linked to nervous system overstimulation, inflammation, or neurotransmitter imbalances. While NAC is not a traditional sleep aid, it can help the body create the internal conditions needed to relax, fall asleep more easily, and potentially sleep more deeply.
GlyNAC as a sleep supplement
GlyNAC—a blend of glycine and N-acetylcysteine (NAC)—helps the body produce glutathione, a key antioxidant involved in cellular repair, inflammation control, and nightly restoration. While not a sleep aid in the traditional sense, GlyNAC may support deeper, more stable sleep by improving internal balance where it matters most: the mitochondria and nervous system.
When glutathione is low, oxidative stress and inflammation increase—two major barriers to restful sleep. GlyNAC helps reverse this. In a clinical trial with older adults, 16 weeks of GlyNAC supplementation boosted glutathione levels by over 160%, reduced oxidative stress markers by more than 70%, and significantly improved mitochondrial energy production and inflammation markers like IL-6 and TNF-α
Important because
Both IL-6 and TNF-α are key players in the immune system. Their overproduction is associated with chronic inflammation, aging-related diseases, and conditions involving immune dysregulation.
Related: GlyNAC for cognitive and mental health
Purovitalis GlyNAC
At Purovitalis, our GlyNAC formulation is designed to support healthy aging and cellular vitality. Each capsule contains 300 mg of pure L-glycine and 300 mg of N-acetylcysteine (NAC)—two amino acids that, as you now know, work together to boost the body’s natural glutathione production. When glutathione levels rise, oxidative stress decreases, mitochondrial function improves, and cells recover more efficiently. These are the very mechanisms that play a key—yet often overlooked—role in sleep quality.
Purovitalis GlyNAC is backed by clinical research and produced in the EU under strict GMP standards. It’s vegan, sugar-free, and third-party tested. A smart choice for anyone looking to support energy, recovery, and restful sleep through inner biochemical balance.
References
- Li H, Qian F, Han L, Feng W, Zheng D, Guo X, Zhang H. Association of healthy sleep patterns with risk of mortality and life expectancy at age of 30 years: a population-based cohort study. QJM. 2024 Mar;117(3):177–186. doi:10.1093/qjmed/hcad237. Published 2023 Oct 13.
- Inagawa K, Hiraoka T, Kohda T, Yamadera W, Takahashi M. Subjective effects of glycine ingestion before bedtime on sleep quality. Sleep Biol Rhythms. 2006 Feb;4(1):75–77. doi:10.1111/j.1479‑8425.2006.00193.x.
- Yamadera W, Inagawa K, Chiba S, Bannai M, Takahashi M, Nakayama K. Glycine ingestion improves subjective sleep quality in human volunteers, correlating with polysomnographic changes. Sleep Biol Rhythms. 2007 Apr;5(2):126–131. doi:10.1111/j.1479‑8425.2007.00262.x
- Peter J. Garlick in The Journal of Nutrition, Volume 134, Issue 6 (June 2004; pp 1633S–1639S) titled “The Nature of Human Hazards Associated with Excessive Intake of Amino Acids”
- Rose WC, Wixom RL, Lockhart HB, Lambert GF. The amino acid requirements of man. XV. The valine requirement; summary and final observations. J Biol Chem. 1955;217(2):987–95.
- Kerksick C, Willoughby D. The antioxidant role of glutathione and N-acetyl-cysteine supplements and exercise-induced oxidative stress. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2005;2(2):38–44. doi:10.1186/1550-2783-2-2-38. PMID: 18500954; PMCID: PMC2129149.
- Kumar P, Liu C, Suliburk J, Hsu JW, Muthupillai R, Jahoor F, et al. Supplementing glycine and N-acetylcysteine (GlyNAC) in older adults improves glutathione deficiency, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, physical function, and aging hallmarks: a randomized clinical trial. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2022;78(1):75–89. doi:10.1093/gerona/glac135. PMID: 35975308; PMCID: PMC9879756.

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