Glycine is the simplest amino acid synthesized in the body and is the only amino acid that is not optically active because it has no stereoisomers (any of a group of isomers [compounds with the same molecular formula but a different structural formula] in which atoms are linked in the same order but differ in their spatial arrangement). Glycine is essential for the synthesis of nucleic acids, bile acids, proteins, peptides, purines, ATP, porphyrins, hemoglobin, glutathione, creatine, bile salts, glucose, glycogen, and other amino acids. The liver uses glycine to help in the detoxification of compounds and to help in the synthesis of bile acids. Glycine has a sweet taste and is used as a sweetener/taste enhancer. Glycine is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS), is a metal complexing agent, retards muscle degeneration, improves glycogen storage, and promotes healing.
| Micromole per liter | µmol/L = mcmol/L = umol/L = µM/L = mcM/L = uM/L = micromol/L |
| Milligram per liter | mg/L = millig/L = milligram/L = mg/liter |
| Milligram per deciliter | mg/dL = millig/dL = milligram/dL |
| Milligram per 100 milliliters | mg/100mL = millig/100mL = milligram/100mL |
| Milligram percent | mg% = millig% = milligram% |
| Microgram per milliliter | µg/mL = mcg/mL = ug/mL = microg/mL = microgram/mL |