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Health, Longevity & Biohacking

Chronic Inflammation Linked to Glycine Deficiency in Immune Cells

Dr Eric Berg · The Best Anti-Aging Advice I Wish I Knew · May 15, 2026
Chronic Inflammation Linked to Glycine Deficiency in Immune Cells
Dr Eric Berg
Dr Eric Berg
The Best Anti-Aging Advice I Wish I Knew
"When the macrophage dies, it releases glycine to turn off the inflammatory switch. But if there's not enough glycine in the macrophage, there's nothing that turns off the inflammation. And then they end up on medications when they don't know deeper underneath the hood they need more glycine."
The speaker reveals that macrophages, frontline immune cells, require glycine to release anti-inflammatory signals when they die. Without adequate glycine, inflammation remains uncontrolled, leading patients to unnecessary medications while the underlying nutrient deficiency goes unrecognized.

About this episode

In this health-focused monologue, the speaker delivers a detailed argument that glycine—an amino acid officially classified as non-essential—is chronically deficient in 95% of adults, causing widespread health problems ranging from inflammation to premature aging. The speaker, identifying as 61 years old, frames glycine deficiency as a hidden epidemic stemming from modern dietary shifts away from nose-to-tail animal consumption. While the body produces 3 grams of glycine daily and diets provide 1.5-2 grams, the speaker claims humans require 15 grams per day, creating a 10-gram daily deficit. The episode systematically explains how the body triages glycine, prioritizing red blood cells, DNA, RNA, and bile salts while starving lower-priority functions like immune regulation, skin integrity, cartilage repair, and arterial health. The speaker cites Dr. Alan Jackson of the University of Southampton, who reportedly argues glycine should not be classified as non-essential. Personal testimony includes severe arthritis at 28, chronic bone fractures, and sleep problems attributed to glycine deficiency from a junk food diet lacking collagen. The speaker controversially claims even carnivore dieters can be glycine-deficient if consuming only tender steaks rather than collagen-rich nose-to-tail eating. The episode concludes with a recommendation for collagen powder supplementation paired with vitamin C, and promotes the speaker's own supplement line and a quiz to identify metabolic dysfunction.

Key takeaways

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