--- title: "Glycine and N-Acetylcysteine (GlyNAC) supplementation in older…" description: "GlyNAC supplementation in older adults can reverse several age-related health declines, including oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction." url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/glynac_rct.md" canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/glynac_rct.html" html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/glynac_rct.html" type: "study" study_key: "glynac_rct" journal: "The Journals of Gerontology: Series A" year: 2022 pmid: "35975308" citations: 1 updated: 2026-09-02 author: "Gabriel Radu, DO" author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765." publisher: "Magellan Longevity" content_format: "markdown" --- # Glycine and N-Acetylcysteine (GlyNAC) supplementation in older adults improves glutathione deficiency, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, physical function, and aging hallmarks: A randomized clinical trial [Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › Glycine and N-Acetylcysteine (GlyNAC) supplementation in… **HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/glynac_rct.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/glynac_rct ## Citation | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Journal | The Journals of Gerontology: Series A | | Year | 2022 | | PMID | [35975308](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35975308/) | | DOI | — | | Study key | glynac_rct | ## Takeaway GlyNAC supplementation in older adults can reverse several age-related health declines, including oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. ## The question Can GlyNAC supplementation improve glutathione deficiency, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, insulin resistance, physical function, and aging hallmarks in older adults? ## Hypothesis GlyNAC supplementation in older adults will improve glutathione deficiency, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, insulin resistance, physical function, and aging hallmarks, similar to observations in aged mice. ## Methods 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 at baseline, 2 weeks, and 16 weeks for various markers including GSH concentrations, oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, inflammation, insulin resistance, physical function, and aging hallmarks. ## Results 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 for 16 weeks improved or corrected these defects, while the placebo did not. GlyNAC was safe and well-tolerated. ## Conclusion GlyNAC supplementation in older adults is an effective nutritional supplement that improves and reverses multiple age-associated abnormalities, including glutathione deficiency, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, insulin resistance, and impaired physical function, thereby promoting health in aging humans. ## Limitations The abstract does not explicitly state any limitations of the study. ## Verbatim from the abstract > GlyNAC supplementation improved glutathione deficiency, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, physical function and multiple hallmarks of aging in older adults. ## Where this study is used on Magellan This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions. | Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages | | --- | --- | --- | | GlyNAC (Glycine + N-Acetylcysteine) | Emerging evidence | [GlyNAC (Glycine + NAC)](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/198.md) | ## Reference 1. **Glycine and N-Acetylcysteine (GlyNAC) supplementation in older adults improves glutathione deficiency, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, physical function, and aging hallmarks: A randomized clinical trial** The Journals of Gerontology: Series A 2022 · [PMID 35975308](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35975308/) > GlyNAC supplementation improved glutathione deficiency, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, physical function and multiple hallmarks of aging in older adults. ## Structured data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/glynac_rct.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/glynac_rct.html","name":"Glycine and N-Acetylcysteine (GlyNAC) supplementation in older adults improves glutathione deficiency,…","description":"GlyNAC supplementation in older adults can reverse several age-related health declines, including oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction.","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":{"@type":"WebSite","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Gabriel Radu, DO","jobTitle":"Physiatrist (PM&R)","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NPI","value":"1376861765"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NY medical license","value":"275110"}]},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"encoding":{"@type":"MediaObject","encodingFormat":"text/markdown","contentUrl":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/glynac_rct.md"},"dateModified":"2026-09-02"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research map","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Glycine and N-Acetylcysteine (GlyNAC) supplementation in…","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/glynac_rct.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/glynac_rct.html#study","name":"Glycine and N-Acetylcysteine (GlyNAC) supplementation in older adults improves glutathione deficiency, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, physical function, and aging hallmarks: A randomized clinical trial","headline":"Glycine and N-Acetylcysteine (GlyNAC) supplementation in older adults improves glutathione deficiency,…","datePublished":"2022","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"The Journals of Gerontology: Series A"},"identifier":"PMID:35975308","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35975308/","abstract":"GlyNAC supplementation in older adults can reverse several age-related health declines, including oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction."}]} ``` ## Related on Magellan Longevity - [GlyNAC (Glycine + NAC)](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/198.md) — product graded on this and related evidence - [GlyNAC supplementation in mice increases length of life by correcting glutathione…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/glynac_mice.md) - [Supplementing Glycine and N-Acetylcysteine (GlyNAC) in Older Adults Improves Glutathione…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/glutathione_glynac.md) - [GlyNAC supplementation in older adults improves glutathione deficiency, oxidative…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x8.md) - [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) - [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md) ## Scope and disclosures Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication. Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases. Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).