Can GlyNAC supplementation improve glutathione deficiency, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, insulin resistance, physical function, and aging hallmarks in older adults?
GlyNAC, a randomized controlled trial in 24 older adults (The Journals of Gerontology: Series A 2022, PMID 35975308) — glyNAC supplementation for 16 weeks in older adults was safe, well-tolerated, and effectively improved and reversed multiple age-associated abnormalities, suggesting it can promote health in aging humans. Scope: 24 older adults, over 16 weeks, and the abstract states no limitations.
Source: The Journals of Gerontology: Series A 2022, PMID 35975308 ↗ · Research map · How Magellan grades evidence · evidence confidence: medium
The Journals of Gerontology: Series A · 2022 · PMID 35975308 · DOI 10.1093/gerona/glac135
GlyNAC supplementation in older adults can improve several age-related health issues, including glutathione deficiency, oxidative stress, and physical function.
The question
Can GlyNAC supplementation improve glutathione deficiency, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, insulin resistance, physical function, and aging hallmarks in older adults?
What they tested
Supplementing GlyNAC in older adults will improve glutathione deficiency, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, insulin resistance, physical function, and aging hallmarks, similar to observations in aged mice.
How they did it
A placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial was conducted with 24 older adults (OA) and 12 young adults (YA). OA were randomized to receive either GlyNAC (N=12) or an isonitrogenous alanine placebo (N=12) for 16 weeks. YA (N=12) received GlyNAC for 2 weeks. Participants were assessed before, after 2 weeks, and after 16 weeks for GSH concentrations, oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, inflammation, insulin resistance, physical function, and aging hallmarks.
What they found
Compared to young adults, older adults exhibited glutathione deficiency, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, insulin resistance, multiple aging hallmarks, and impaired physical function. GlyNAC supplementation in older adults, but not placebo, improved or corrected these observed defects.
What it means
GlyNAC supplementation for 16 weeks in older adults was safe, well-tolerated, and effectively improved and reversed multiple age-associated abnormalities, suggesting it can promote health in aging humans.
Limitations
The abstract does not explicitly state any limitations of the study.
Where the published abstract does not list limitations, we say so rather than inventing them. Read the full paper on PubMed before drawing conclusions.
The paper at a glance
| Title | 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 |
|---|---|
| Journal | The Journals of Gerontology: Series A |
| Year | 2022 |
| PMID | 35975308 ↗ |
| DOI | 10.1093/gerona/glac135 ↗ |
| Topic | Immunity, inflammation & resilience |
Read the source: PubMed record (authors, abstract, full citation) ↗ · Publisher via doi.org ↗
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Glutathione
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Research describes the compound or intervention studied. It is not a claim about any specific product.
Molecules & mechanisms in this paper
Each of these is named in the paper’s own words above. Open the monograph for the full mechanism and its other citations.
Cite this page
These citations point at this summary. To cite the original paper with its full author list, use the PubMed record or doi.org.
Magellan Longevity. (2026). Can GlyNAC supplementation improve glutathione deficiency, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, insulin resistance, physical function, and aging hallmarks in older adults? [Plain-English summary of The Journals of Gerontology: Series A 2022, PMID 35975308, DOI 10.1093/gerona/glac135]. Magellan Longevity. https://magellanlongevity.com/study/glutathione_glynac.html@misc{magellan_glutathione_glynac,
title = {Can GlyNAC supplementation improve glutathione deficiency, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, insulin resistance, physical function, and aging hallmarks in older adults?},
author = {{Magellan Longevity}},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://magellanlongevity.com/study/glutathione_glynac.html}},
note = {Plain-English summary of PubMed PMID 35975308; DOI 10.1093/gerona/glac135; The Journals of Gerontology: Series A 2022. Reviewed by Gabriel Radu, DO},
urldate = {2026-08-11}
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