Solgar L-Lysine vs NOW Foods Glycine
Side-by-side comparison of scores, ingredients, prices and real customer feedback for Solgar L-Lysine and NOW Foods Glycine.
Last verified: 01 Mar 2026 · Based on 25 reviews
Our Verdict: Solgar L-Lysine or NOW Foods Glycine?
Solgar L-Lysine edges ahead with an 80/100 versus NOW Foods Glycine's 78/100, and its clinical focus on cold sore management gives it a clearer, more targeted use case. NOW Foods Glycine suits budget-conscious buyers who want a pure, versatile powder for sleep or collagen support — its 454g tub at a lower price offers exceptional cost per dose.
— AIScored Editorial Team
Solgar L-Lysine scores 80.0/100 vs NOW Foods Glycine at 78.0/100. Solgar L-Lysine wins on effectiveness. NOW Foods Glycine is stronger on ingredient quality and value for money.
Solgar L-Lysine vs NOW Foods Glycine: What Does the Data Say?
These two products share an amino acid category but serve entirely different purposes. Solgar's L-Lysine 1000mg delivers a single targeted amino acid in tablet form at £13.00 for 50 tablets, aimed squarely at people managing cold sore outbreaks. NOW Foods Glycine Pure Powder takes a different approach — loose powder with no fillers whatsoever, dosed at 1g per scoop from a 454g tub, primarily used for sleep quality and collagen support. Lysine and glycine do distinct jobs in the body, so this isn't really a head-to-head between equivalent products.
Solgar suits someone who gets recurrent cold sores and wants a convenient, pre-measured tablet they can take at the first sign of an outbreak. It scores 80/100 overall, with effectiveness rated particularly high at 90/100, and reviewers consistently report shorter, less severe outbreaks. NOW Foods suits a budget-conscious buyer who wants to boost glycine intake for sleep or skin support and doesn't mind measuring powder. At 88/100 for value and 84/100 for ingredient quality, it's genuinely good value per dose — though you'll need three scoops to hit the 3g clinically studied sleep dose, which the labelling doesn't make obvious.
Practically speaking, Solgar's tablets are large and some users find them difficult to swallow. NOW Foods lacks this issue but requires a scoop and something to mix it into. On certification, NOW Foods has third-party testing and GMP-certified manufacturing; Solgar doesn't note equivalent independent verification, which is worth knowing if certification matters to you.
How Do the Scores Compare?
L-Lysine 1000mg Free Form 5...
Solgar
|
NOW Foods Glycine Pure Powder
NOW Foods
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 80.0 | 78.0 |
| Effectiveness |
90.0/100
Best
|
68.0/100 |
| Ingredient Quality | 80.0/100 |
84.0/100
Best
|
| Value for Money | 80.0/100 |
88.0/100
Best
|
| Side Effects | 90.0/100 |
91.0/100
Best
|
| Certifications | 40.0/100 |
77.0/100
Best
|
| Best Price |
£10.40
Holland & Barrett →
Cheapest
|
View → |
| Price per Serving | N/A | N/A |
| Form | Tablet | Powder |
| Dose | 712 g | 1000mg glycine per serving |
| Third-Party Tested | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Reviews Analysed | 5 | 20 |
L-Lysine 1000mg Free Form 50 Tablets
Pros
- ✓Cold sore management: reviewers report reduced swelling, size, and duration when taken early
- ✓Verified brand quality: Solgar is established in supplementation with consistent user satisfaction
- ✓Well-tolerated: no reported indigestion or side effects despite large tablet form
- ✓Measurable dosing: provides exact lysine amounts versus dietary sources
Cons
- ✗Large tablet size may be difficult for some users to swallow
- ✗No third-party testing certification noted on product
- ✗Not vegan-suitable formulation
- ✗Limited clinical evidence in reviews for claimed general immunity boost (1 mention)
Best For
NOW Foods Glycine Pure Powder
Pros
- ✓Genuinely pure single ingredient — no fillers, binders, or additives of any kind
- ✓Outstanding value: 454 g tub provides 151+ full therapeutic (3 g) sleep doses
- ✓GMP-certified and NPA A-rated manufacturing with third-party testing
- ✓Mildly sweet natural taste makes it easy to mix into water or a drink
Cons
- ✗Each serving is only 1 g — the clinically studied sleep dose (3 g) requires three scoops, which is not clearly flagged on the label
- ✗General NOW Foods quality concerns circulate on Reddit (notably regarding their magnesium glycinate), creating brand-level uncertainty even where product-specific evidence is absent
- ✗Authenticity questions raised by at least one long-term user who noticed label variation between batches purchased online
- ✗Powder format is less convenient than capsules for on-the-go use
Best For
Score Breakdown: Solgar L-Lysine vs NOW Foods Glycine
Solgar's L-Lysine 1000mg receives unanimous 5-star ratings from 4 reviewers, with strong endorsement for cold sore management and immune support.
What are the key differences?
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Solgar L-Lysine or NOW Foods Glycine? ▼
Is Solgar L-Lysine worth the price compared to NOW Foods Glycine? ▼
Which has fewer side effects? ▼
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Disclaimer: AIScored provides data-driven comparisons based on publicly available reviews. This is not medical advice. Affiliate links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.
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