Glycocyamine

Glycocyamine is a direct precursor of [|creatine] and is used as a supplement. However the metabolism of creatine from glycocyamine in the liver causes a depletion of [|methyl groups]. This causes [|homocysteine] levels to rise, which has been shown to produce cardiovascular and skeletal problems.
 * Glycocyamine** (or **guanidinoacetate**) is a metabolite of [|glycine] in which the [|amino group] has been converted into a [|guanidine].

Uses
A series of studies showed that a combination of [|betaine] and glycocyamine improves the symptoms of patients with chronic illness, including heart disease, without [|toxicity]. Betaine can provide a [|methyl] group to glycocyamine, via [|methionine], for the formation of creatine. [|[1]] In overal, such treatment led to less fatigue, greater strength and endurance, and an improved sense of well-being. The patients with cardiac decompensation ( [|arteriosclerosis] or [|rheumatic disease] ) [|[2]] and congestive [|heart failure] [|[3]] had improved cardiac function. The patients gained weight (improved [|nitrogen] balance) and saw lessened symptoms of [|arthritis] and [|asthma] and increased [|libido], and those people suffering from [|hypertension] experienced transient reduced [|blood pressure]. Also the studies shows the increase of glucose tolerance in both diabetic subjects and subjects without diabetes.