Effectiveness of a glycine and zinc combination for sleep disorders in postmenopausal patients with osteopenia

Introduction. Osteopenia in postmenopausal women is frequently accompanied by sleep disturbances, increased anxiety, and autonomic dysfunction, which substantially reduce quality of life and exacerbate clinical manifestations. Given the role of glycine and zinc in neurometabolic regulation and bone metabolism, their combination represents a pathogenetically justified approach to correcting these disorders.

Aim. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the glycine-zinc combination (Metabovit® Healthy Sleep) in women with postmenopausal osteopenia and sleep disturbances.

Materials and methods. A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted, including 60 women aged 45–65 years. The intervention group (n = 30) received the dietary supplement in addition to standard therapy for 21 days. The following parameters were assessed: sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, PSQI), anxiety (Spielberger – Khanin State–Trait Anxiety Inventory, HADS), autonomic dysfunction (Veyn questionnaire), quality of life (SF-36), and safety indicators.

Results. In the intervention group, a significant reduction in PSQI total score was observed (from 9.0 ± 4.0 to 4.8 ± 3.1; p < 0.001), with sleep normalization achieved in 53% of patients (vs. 3% in controls). State anxiety decreased by 6.2 points and trait anxiety by 3.7 points (p < 0.001). According to HADS, anxiety decreased by 2.3 points (p < 0.001) and depression by 1.6 points (p < 0.001), remaining within normal and subclinical ranges. Marked improvement was also noted on the Veyn scale (-10.2 points; p < 0.001) and across all SF-36 domains, including physical and mental health components. The supplement was well tolerated, with no adverse events reported.

Conclusions. The glycine–zinc combination exerts multidirectional beneficial effects, improving sleep, reducing anxiety and autonomic dysfunction, and enhancing the quality of life of women with postmenopausal osteopenia. Its use is pathogenetically justified and represents a safe adjunct to standard therapy.

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