Glycine Propionyl-L-Carnitine (GPLC) Benefits for Bodybuilding

Glycine-Propionyl-L-Carnitine (GPLC) is a form of the amino acid L-Carnitine, which helps cells to manufacture mitochondrial energy.

Like other Carnitine molecules, GPLC is involved in the transportation of fatty acids to the mitochondria where they can be burned to produce energy.

Glycine-Propionyl-L-Carnitine and Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR) may have anti-aging benefits and reduce the likelihood of developing mitochondrial dysfunction.

GPLC is also used to boost brain functioning by enhancing mental alertness and helping to protect neurons from oxidative damage.

Additionally, GPLC is used by bodybuilders and athletes to support increased energy and athletic performance. It is also taken to alleviate fatigue and support weight loss.

L-Carnitine is a natural compound that is made within the body and can be obtained from certain food sources. Some of these foods include lean cuts of beef and pork, some seafood, poultry, ice cream, and cheese.

As a dietary supplement, L-Carnitine has low oral bioavailability which is why Glycine-Propionyl-L-Carnitine and ALCAR are often used instead, as both have higher bioavailability.

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Glycine Propionyl-L-Carnitine

Glycine Propionyl L-Carnitine is a source of the amino acid Glycine bonded to Propionyl-L-Carnitine.

In the body, GPLC supports energy production by helping to transport long-chain fatty acids into the cellular mitochondria. This is where the majority of the energy used by the body is produced.

The mitochondria is an organelle found in most cells that synthesizes adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This is a form of chemical energy that is used by our cells for the majority of different functions.

Using a Glycine Propionyl-L-Carnitine supplement may improve energy metabolism and increase the production of ATP. This can have benefits for athletes who want to enhance their performance in competitions or in training sessions. It can also have benefits for cognitive performance and for individuals dealing with excessive fatigue.

Glycine Propionyl L Carnitine can also help to protect the body from certain forms of oxidative damage associated with aging. This molecule helps to eliminate toxins and waste products from the cells and exhibits an antioxidant effect.

Glycine Propionyl-L-Carnitine Uses

As a dietary supplement, GPLC and other forms of Carnitine are taken to support optimal performance and anti-aging regimens. This supplement is also used for certain medicinal applications, particularly related to neurological decline and chronic fatigue.

L-Carnitine is used to improve sensitivity to insulin and to improve the health of blood vessels. It is particularly useful in patients with weakened cardiac efficacy. GPLC and ALCAR are believed to be effective at protecting and repairing neuronal damage that results from diabetic neuropathy and diabetes mellitus type I.

Medical uses for GPLC also include treating intermittent claudication (leg pain) due to poor blood delivery caused by peripheral vascular disease (PVD). PVD is most often caused by the arterial hardening (atherosclerosis) and/or type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Glycine Propionyl-L-Carnitine may also be used by physicians to treat congestive heart failure (CHF), angina (acute chest pains), low testosterone, male sexual dysfunction, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and myocardial ischemia.

Glycine-Propionyl-L-Carnitine Research

There has been significant research into the effects of using Glycine-Propionyl-L-Carnitine, L-Carnitine, and ALCAR as supplements.

Research has examined the benefits of Carnitines for liver health, Peyronie’s disease, pain caused by intermittent claudication, anti-aging, and weight loss.

Four separate human trials have shown that people with liver disease-induced brain damage (hepatic encephalopathy), and people with healthy livers can benefit from taking GPLC. When using an oral GPLC supplement, there were notable decreases in ammonia accumulation reported.

Ammonia is produced in the body during the normal digestion of proteins. It can have negative effects on the body when present in high levels. The liver converts ammonia into other substances that are harmless. This result suggests that GPLC may improve the ability of the liver to detoxify compounds such as ammonia.

L-Carnitine is sometimes used as a weight loss aid because it is said to increase energy metabolism. Especially in the elderly, L-carnitine supplementation may reduce fat mass. These effects have not been clearly demonstrated in healthy adults, adolescents or children.

Minor decreases in blood glucose concentrations, especially after meals, have been noted following GPLC supplementation.

Five studies have looked at the effects of taking Glycine Propionyl L-Carnitine on spermatogenesis and fertility. Results suggest that 3 grams of GPLC daily, taken orally, improves sperm development and motility.

Men with Peyronie’s disease (abnormal penis curving) may benefit from GPLC supplementation as well. Routine usage has been reported to decrease curving and associated pain significantly.

Glycine-Propionyl-L-Carnitine may be useful for reducing pain caused by intermittent claudication. Pain-free walking distances have nearly doubled, over time, with routine usage.

Five studies have shown Glycine Propionyl L-Carnitine can lower elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, especially during strenuous exercise sessions. MDA is a marker of oxidative stress. This result suggests that GPLC may mitigate the increase in oxidative stress on the body caused by aerobic and anaerobic exercise.

Research has demonstrated significant anti-aging effects of Glycine-Propionyl-L-Carnitine. At least 2 studies have shown supplementation with GPLC can upregulate synthesis and secretion of all three major antioxidant enzymes: SOD (superoxide dismutase), glutathione peroxidase and catalase.

Glycine-propionyl-L-carnitine is also reported to decrease lactate synthesis, help manage ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) in children, increase adiponectin levels, increased running capacity, and increase adrenergic receptor density within muscle tissue cells.

The Natural Medicines database has rated GPLC as Possibly Effective for improving age-related testosterone deficiency, angina, chronic ischemic, heart disease, congestive heart failure, erctile dysfunction, intermittent claudication, and Peyronie’s diease. The research on Glycine Propionyl L-Carnitine is very extensive and promising for many conditions, however further study is still needed. At this time, GPLC is available in the USA as a health supplement only, and the FDA has not approved Glycine Propionyl L-Carnitine as a drug to prevent or treat any conditions.

Safety of Glycine-Propionyl-L-Carnitine

Appropriate dosage of any supplement depends on many variables including age, weight, personal sensitivities, and the reason for taking the supplement. It is recommended that you always speak with your doctor before beginning any new supplements so they they can help determine the best dosage for your needs. The below dosage recommendations are general guidelines only, and your dosage may be different.

Common dosages used in research for Glycine Propionyl L-Carnitine supplementation range between 1 and 6 grams daily. L-Carnitine can also be gained from the diet, but at a much lower dosage levels. A 4-ounce steak of lean beef contains about 120 mg of L-carnitine.

Taking GPLC orally is generally considered safe for most healthy adults. However, certain adverse side effects are possible. In the majority of cases, these side effects are limited to temporary and mild gastrointestinal distress, nausea, cramping, vomiting and/or diarrhea. When taken in high doses, L-Carnitine supplements have been reported to cause a “fishy” odor.

Talk with your doctor first if you are considering Glycine-Propionyl-L-Carnitine supplementation and you have either Alzheimer’s disease, renal disease and/or a seizure disorder. Also, ask about possible interactions with prescribed drugs and/or medicinal herbs you may be using.

Conclusions

L-Carnitine supplements like Glycine Propionyl L-Carnitine and Acetyl L-Carnitine are typically used to improve the production of mitochondrial energy. These supplement may also help to protect against oxidative damage and improve waste product elimination from the body.

Glycine Propionyl L-Carnitine may have benefits for athletic performance, fertility, and liver health. Speak to a doctor to learn more about the benefits and effects of GPLC and to determine if this supplement is appropriate for you.

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