A method of treating or preventing a subject's health problem that is related to an underlying disorder in the functioning of the metabolic system of the subject includes the step of administering a therapeutically effective dosage of glycine. For health problems associated with the subject's bones, cartilage or connective tissue, including degenerative diseases such as arthrosis and arthritis, injuries due to physical trauma, the condition of one's skin, teeth, gums, finger nails, eyes, ears, vocal chords or muscles, or diseases such as osteoporosis, asthma, multiple sclerosis or atherosclerosis, the administering step involves daily ingesting glycine at a rate in the range of 0.1 to 0.7 g/Kg of the subject's body weight.