Serine

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Photo of a label of L-serine supplements

L-serine is a non-essential amino acid which is a precursor to several other amino acids (including glycine and L-cysteine, and of some cell membrane lipids.[1][2] Ito et al. 2014 report that it has an extensive role in protein synthesis and intracellular metabolism.[2]

Potential uses[edit | edit source]

L-serine is of potential use for insomnia or sleeping problems.[2]

Theory[edit | edit source]

Evidence[edit | edit source]

Two small randomized double-blinded crossover studies (clinical trials) by Ito et al. (2014) found that a dose of 3g (3000mg) or L-serine improved sleep maintenance and reduced time until sleep compared to a placebo treatment.[2]

ME/CFS[edit | edit source]

A study by Huth et al. (2020) found increased levels of L-serine in the blood serum of ME/CFS patients compared to healthy controls, and decreased levels of serine in the urine of ME/CFS patients.[3]

Risks and side effects[edit | edit source]

Costs and availability[edit | edit source]

L-serine is inexpensive and available over the counter as a capsule or powder.

Learn more[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. de Koning, Tom J; Snell, Keith; Duran, Marinus; Berger, Ruud; Poll-The, Bwee-Tien; Surtees, Robert (May 1, 2003). "L-serine in disease and development". Biochemical Journal. 371 (Pt 3): 653–661. doi:10.1042/BJ20021785. ISSN 0264-6021. PMC 1223326. PMID 12534373.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Ito, Yukihiko; Takahashi, Satomi; Shen, Manzhen; Yamaguchi, Kohji; Satoh, Makoto (August 22, 2014). "Effects of L-serine ingestion on human sleep". SpringerPlus. 3. doi:10.1186/2193-1801-3-456. ISSN 2193-1801. PMC 4155056. PMID 25197619.
  3. Huth, Teilah Kathryn; Eaton-Fitch, Natalie; Staines, Donald; Marshall-Gradisnik, Sonya (December 2020). "A systematic review of metabolomic dysregulation in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease (CFS/ME/SEID)". Journal of Translational Medicine. 18 (1): 198. doi:10.1186/s12967-020-02356-2. ISSN 1479-5876. PMC 7222338. PMID 32404171.