Calorie restriction + glycine supplementation increases fat loss and prevents muscle loss in mice

Introduction

Caloric restriction is a 30%-60% decrease from the normal/baseline number of calories you eat per day. Although beneficial for quick weight-loss, muscle loss can occur.

Associated risks with losing too much muscle mass are:

-Developing metabolic diseases

-Increased potential of regaining the weight

Restricting calories combined with exercising, slows down the breakdown of muscle but does not completely stop it.

A high protein, low-fat diet can slow down muscle loss during calorie restriction as well.

High protein = 1.2-1.5 g/kg/day

g of protein/ kg body weight/day

Finding a way to maintain muscle mass in combination with restricting calories is needed, especially for those who need to lose weight quickly and/or cannot exercise.

This particular study looked at the muscle mass of obese mice that were glycine supplemented 1 g/ kg body weight/day. They were placed on a caloric restrictive diet (calories reduced by 40% from their baseline).

They found that supplementation with amino acid glycine was shown to maintain muscle mass during calorie restriction.

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Results

1. In mice they found that calorie restriction caused:

1. Quick weight loss

2. Decreased muscle mass

3. Increased metabolism

4. Decreased inflammation

2. Mice with glycine supplementation during calorie restriction caused:

1. Increased fat loss

2. Slows down the loss of muscle mass

3. Mice with high body fat caused:

1. Increased inflammation

2. Less dietary stress

3. Less muscle protein breakdown

4. Slow metabolism

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Discussion

Glycine supplementation seems to decrease fat and may prevent the loss of muscle mass during calorie restriction.

Research in humans has shown the benefits of calorie restriction on insulin levels and the improvement of muscles taking up sugar for energy.

Mice lost more fat within the first 10 days of calorie restriction combined with glycine supplementation.

Glycine supplemented mice had less fat at the end of the 20 days of calorie restriction compared to the alanine supplemented group.

More research is needed to figure out how glycine increases fat loss during calorie restriction.

Mice did lose a significant amount of muscle due to calorie restriction.

Mice supplemented with glycine lost less muscle during the first 10 days, after that loss of lean muscle increased due to caloric restriction.

Mice had larger quadriceps muscles at the end of 20 days of calorie restriction + glycine compared to the alanine supplemented mice.

How glycine protects the loss of muscle during calorie restriction is not known.

Reflection

This was a study done on mice, so I will be looking further into studies done on humans.

Update on search: Currently I cannot find a human based study, but I will keep looking! If you all have any luck, let me know.

Keep in mind that dosage is important. Do not consume more than the daily recommended intake.

*Before consuming supplements, consult with a physician, individuals can be affected differently.

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Sources

Image courtesy of:

“Common antidepressant found to reduce belly fat in older mice.” New Scientist, www.newscientist.com/article/2148809-common-antidepressant-found-to-reduce-belly-fat-in-older-mice/.

Scientific Article courtesy of:

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