May05
The Anti-Inflammatory Amino Acid You May Be Deficient In with Dr. Joel Brind
We tend to think of inflammation as something that just happens… a normal response to stress, aging, or injury. But what if much of today’s chronic inflammation is actually a nutrient deficiency problem hiding in plain sight?
In this episode of the ReThink Health Podcast, I sit down with Joel Brind, a world-renowned biochemist and author of The Glycine Miracle, to explore why glycine (an amino acid long labeled “non-essential”) may actually be one of the most critical and overlooked nutrients in modern diets.
Dr. Brind explains how glycine acts as the body’s natural anti-inflammatory regulator, helping keep immune cells from overreacting, supporting healthy blood flow, calming the nervous system, and even protecting against inappropriate clotting. He also reveals why most people today are unknowingly deficient, thanks to diets high in muscle meats and low in collagen-rich foods like bones, connective tissue, and skin.
You’ll hear how glycine plays a central role in managing inflammation, sleep, cardiovascular health, immune balance, and recovery… and why simply eating “enough protein” isn’t the same as getting the right balance of amino acids.
This is a deep, science-forward conversation that challenges long-held nutrition assumptions and offers a clearer framework for supporting long-term health from the inside out.
You’ll learn:
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Why glycine is your body’s built-in anti-inflammatory “trigger lock”
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How chronic inflammation may stem from glycine deficiency, not just stress or aging
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The sneaky reason why modern diets high in muscle meats drain glycine reserves
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How glycine helps regulate immune cells, blood clotting, and vascular inflammation
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Why glycine supports better sleep, recovery, and nervous system balance
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The surprising links between glycine, cardiovascular risk, and plaque formation
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Why bone-based foods like collagen and bone broth matter more than most people realize
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Practical ways to increase glycine intake through food and supplementation
If you’ve ever felt confused by inflammation advice that focuses only on avoiding foods or suppressing symptoms, this episode offers a refreshing, biology-based perspective on what your body actually needs to stay resilient.
Watch the full conversation on YouTube.
Prefer audio? Listen below or on Spotify & Apple iTunes Podcasts.
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About Dr. Brind
Joel Brind, PhD, is a biochemist, researcher, and author with more than five decades of experience studying metabolism, aging, and inflammation. He is best known for his work on glycine and methionine metabolism and for authoring The Glycine Miracle, which explores how this overlooked amino acid supports immune regulation, longevity, and metabolic health. Dr. Brind is also the founder of Natural Food Science and the creator of Sweetamine, a glycine-based supplement.
Thanks so much for spending time with us this week! Have a question or feedback? Email us at [email protected]—we would genuinely love to hear from you.
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