--- title: "GlyNAC supplementation in older adults improves glutathione…" description: "GlyNAC supplementation in older adults improved several markers of aging and health, but these benefits decreased after stopping the supplement." url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x8.md" canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x8.html" html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x8.html" type: "study" study_key: "x8" journal: "Clin Transl Med" year: 2021 pmid: "33783984" doi: "10.1002/ctm2.372" 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" --- # GlyNAC supplementation in older adults improves glutathione deficiency, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation and insulin resistance [Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › GlyNAC supplementation in older adults improves… **HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x8.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/x8 ## Citation | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Journal | Clin Transl Med | | Year | 2021 | | PMID | [33783984](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33783984/) | | DOI | [10.1002/ctm2.372](https://doi.org/10.1002/ctm2.372) | | Study key | x8 | ## Takeaway GlyNAC supplementation in older adults improved several markers of aging and health, but these benefits decreased after stopping the supplement. ## The question What are the effects of GlyNAC supplementation and withdrawal on various health markers in older adults, including glutathione levels, oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, inflammation, and insulin resistance? ## Hypothesis GlyNAC supplementation in older adults will improve naturally-occurring glutathione deficiency, mitochondrial impairment, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance, similar to observations in aged mice. ## Methods This was a 36-week open-label pilot clinical trial involving eight older adults (OAs) and eight young adults (YAs). All participants underwent an initial pre-supplementation study. YAs were then released, while OAs received GlyNAC supplementation for 24 weeks, followed by a 12-week GlyNAC withdrawal period. Measurements included red blood cell (RBC) glutathione, mitochondrial fuel-oxidation (MFO), plasma biomarkers for oxidative stress, inflammation, endothelial function, glucose, and insulin, as well as gait speed, grip strength, 6-minute walk test, cognitive tests, genomic damage, glucose production and muscle protein breakdown rates, and body composition. ## Results GlyNAC supplementation for 24 weeks in older adults corrected RBC-GSH deficiency, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction. It also improved inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, insulin resistance, genomic damage, cognition, strength, gait speed, and exercise capacity, while lowering body fat and waist circumference. However, these benefits declined after stopping GlyNAC supplementation for 12 weeks. ## Conclusion GlyNAC supplementation for 24 weeks in older adults was well tolerated and demonstrated improvements across multiple health parameters, including reduced oxidative stress, corrected glutathione deficiency, improved mitochondrial function, decreased inflammation, insulin resistance, endothelial dysfunction, and genomic damage, as well as enhanced strength, gait speed, cognition, and body composition. These findings suggest GlyNAC could be a simple and viable method to promote health in aging humans, warranting further investigation. ## Limitations This was a pilot trial with a small sample size (eight older adults) and an open-label design, which may limit the generalizability and strength of the findings. ## Verbatim from the abstract > GlyNAC corrected glutathione deficiency, oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction ## Impact of GlyNAC Supplementation on Health Markers in Older Adults | Measure | Effect (0=Corrected, 1=Decreased, 2=Improved) | | --- | --- | | RBC-GSH deficiency | 0 | | Oxidative stress | 0 | | Mitochondrial dysfunction | 0 | | Inflammation | 1 | | Endothelial dysfunction | 1 | | Insulin resistance | 1 | | Genomic damage | 1 | | Cognition | 2 | | Strength | 2 | | Gait speed | 2 | | Exercise capacity | 2 | | Body fat | 1 | | Waist circumference | 1 | *This chart illustrates the reported effects of 24-week GlyNAC supplementation in older adults. A value of 0 indicates correction of a deficiency, 1 indicates a decrease/lowering, and 2 indicates an improvement.* ## 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 | | --- | --- | --- | | All-in-One Longevity Formulation | Emerging evidence | [NOVOS Core All-In-One Sachets](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/12.md) | | Glutathione | Moderate evidence | [DaVinci Labs Glutathione Bright](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/20.md) | | Glycine Powder | Moderate evidence | [Glycine Powder](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/125.md) | | GlyNAC (Glycine + N-Acetylcysteine) | Emerging evidence | [GlyNAC (Glycine + NAC)](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/198.md) | ## Reference 1. **GlyNAC supplementation in older adults improves glutathione deficiency, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation and insulin resistance** Clin Transl Med 2021 · [PMID 33783984](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33783984/) · [DOI 10.1002/ctm2.372](https://doi.org/10.1002/ctm2.372) > GlyNAC corrected glutathione deficiency, oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction ## Structured data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x8.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x8.html","name":"GlyNAC supplementation in older adults improves glutathione deficiency, oxidative stress, mitochondrial…","description":"GlyNAC supplementation in older adults improved several markers of aging and health, but these benefits decreased after stopping the supplement.","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/x8.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":"GlyNAC supplementation in older adults improves…","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x8.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x8.html#study","name":"GlyNAC supplementation in older adults improves glutathione deficiency, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation and insulin resistance","headline":"GlyNAC supplementation in older adults improves glutathione deficiency, oxidative stress, mitochondrial…","datePublished":"2021","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"Clin Transl Med"},"identifier":"PMID:33783984","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33783984/","sameAs":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ctm2.372","abstract":"GlyNAC supplementation in older adults improved several markers of aging and health, but these benefits decreased after stopping the supplement."}]} ``` ## Related on Magellan Longevity - [Glycine Powder](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/125.md) — product graded on this and related evidence - [NOVOS Core All-In-One Sachets](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/12.md) — product graded on this and related evidence - [DaVinci Labs Glutathione Bright](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/20.md) — product graded on this and related evidence - [GlyNAC (Glycine + NAC)](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/198.md) — product graded on this and related evidence - [The efficacy and safety of β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) supplementation in…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/nmn_trial.md) - [Caloric restriction, resveratrol and melatonin: Role of SIRT1 and implications for aging…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/resv_sirt1.md) - [Induction of autophagy by spermidine promotes longevity.](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/spermidine_autophagy.md) - [Krebs cycle intermediates regulate DNA and histone methylation: epigenetic impact on the…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/akg_krebs.md) - [Supplementing Glycine and N-Acetylcysteine (GlyNAC) in Older Adults Improves Glutathione…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/glutathione_glynac.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).