SupplementsGlyNAC Supplementation Targets Glutathione, Mitochondria and Muscle in Older HIV Patients
Older adults living with HIV often have chronically low glutathione (GSH), a master antioxidant, due to shortfalls in two amino acid precursors — glycine and cysteine. Prior short-term work showed that combining glycine with N-acetylcysteine (GlyNAC) for two weeks partially restored red blood cell GSH and improved mitochondrial fuel burning. This Baylor College of Medicine Phase 1 trial extends supplementation to 12 weeks and tracks a broader set of outcomes: GSH levels, body composition, muscle strength, physical function, quality of life, mitochondrial energetics, blood lipids, oxidative stress, protein and glucose metabolism, and cognitive performance. A two-month washout period after supplementation will reveal how durable the benefits are. Results could clarify whether GlyNAC is a practical nutritional strategy for preserving healthspan in an aging HIV population.
