Removes health-threatening toxins
Prevents DNA damage
Reduces inflammation
Protects the brain and nervous system
Prevents tumor progression
Prevents chronic illness
Protects Telomeres – Anti-aging
Slow the progression of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s
Glutathione (pronounced “gloota-thigh-own”)
Tens of thousands of studies and articles have been published on Glutathione and can be found on PubMed. These articles show the amazing role glutathione plays in protecting the function of all cells in the body. They also reveal the horrible consequences of low glutathione levels and how the aging process can be accelerated with these lower levels.
Gluathione (GSH) is a sticky sulfur based enzyme that loves to attach itself to all the bad guys in the body. Whatever GSH sticks itself to will not escape. Gluathione will then remove it from the body. GSH understands all that is in the body. It knows the good and bad, what should stay and what needs to go. When there is an ample supply of GSH, bacteria, viruses and fungi will be quickly removed.
It is the master antioxidant!
In addition, glutathione monitors all the components of the immune system, making sure it is all functioning properly. Without this constant monitoring, the immune system is unbalanced and weak.
Even as bacteria and viruses mutate, GSH sees this mutation and continues to recognize the threats and acts accordingly to remove these enemies.
GSH is our first line of defense against all life threatening infections.
When we are very sick we often think our body is turning on us. When actually our body is hard at work protecting us. Glutathione, like histamine, is a major part of our body’s protection method.
In regard to anti-viral or anti-bacterial defense, it is of the utmost importance to have a barage of protective immune cells on hand, but who protects the immune cells? That’s right baby, glutathione!
GSH is the great protector of our immune cells, allowing them to multiply and attack the enemies.
Glutathione feeds them and protects them.
Inflammation
Inflammation is a protective act of the body in response to damage, helping to remove stimuli so that healing can occur. Such stimuli includes pathogens, mechanical injuries, burns or chemical and biological irritants.
Without inflammation, wounds and/or infections could not heal. Life would be threatened.
However, inflammation itself can become a problem. When left unattended it can lead to any number of diseases. Failure to eliminate acute inflammation can result in chronic illness, which can last for several months or years. More unusual is an autoimmune response to a self antigen – whereas the immune system attacks healthy tissue, mistaking it (them) for harmful pathogens.
Cytokines are inflammatory agents in the body that create systemic inflammation and are associated with many diseases. Boosting glutathione levels inhibite cytokine production.
Chronic illness
Understanding the glutathione system. Our neuro immune system is in a constant state of being hyper aware of all invaders. Glutathione plays a major role in keeping our immune system highly functional.
It is believed that when this system is not at its best, chronic illness can take hold and become the normal state of being. This is often why chronic conditions can be very hard to diagnose, as the body appears to be functioning in the absence of any obvious signs of dysfunction. Add to that, blood work that is often times confusing but ultimately not very revealing.
It is thought that glutathione depletion is at the root of many chronic illnesses.
Glutathione detoxifies poisons that are filtered through your liver. It can serve as both a neurotransmitter and a nueormodulator. It can protect your neurons from enemies that would otherwise kill your brain cells. Without an extremely adequate supply of glutathione, removing toxins from the body would be impossible. It is the great protector and mover.
Biogenesis of trillions of mitochondria depend on glutathione. Pro-inflammatory cytokines are allowed to flourish when glutathione levels are depleted. All of your systems and networks are thrown out of balance unless glutathione is readily available.
When glutathione is depleted, actual DNA synthesis malfunctions. All genetic expression is amiss.
The glutathione detoxification within your liver fails and cells die. Toxins build and illness prevails.
Exhausted glutathione levels play a primary role in the pathological development of many neurological and autoimmune disorders.
Absorption
Many have found that trying to raise glutathione levels is not easy. When it comes to increasing glutathione, it’s all about absorption. Like everything else, until it gets absorbed, things are just passing through. Your body is pretty good at letting things walk on by.
Supplemental glutathione pills for the most part do not work as the nutrient is not easily absorbed and does not penetrate cell walls. It must be made and used intracellularly.
In the body, after glutathione is created using glutamic acid, cysteine, and glycine, the glutathione molecule has its own life cycle. As it is utilized and in turn oxidized it becomes oxidized glutathione (GSSG). In healthy young people, ninety percent of the body’s glutathione is in the GSH form.
This is referred to as “reduced glutathione.” Only about ten percent is GSSG; the oxidized form.
This ratio can determine overall health.
When you take a glutathione supplement, it becomes oxidized before it is even absorbed. It then is added to the wrong side of the ratio. This can increase the over-all oxidative load on the body. Oxidized glutathione will then deplete available antioxidants.
Many have turned to using fatty molecules to help with transport. Liposomal glutathione has become popular because of this. But even this type of transport is in question. Many people have found success with IV drips of glutathione, but again, questionable.
How to raise glutathione levels
1. Consume Sulfur-rich foods.
Garlic, onions, broccoli, cauliflower, eggs, legumes and nuts.
2. Exercise
Exercise boosts your glutathione levels. If you’re chronically ill, this may be a challenge. But I believe exercise, even in small amounts is absolutely essential.
3. Take Glutathione Supporting Supplements.
Protein supplements that contain these 3 important amino acids (cysteine, glycine and glutamine make glutathione).
Include essential fat-soluble vitamins such as Vitamin A, D, E and K to create a favorable environment for glutathione creation. The minerals zinc and selenium are also essential to glutathione development.
Consider eating foods high in glutathione:
Asparagus, spinach, garlic, avocado, squash, zucchini, potatoes, melons, grapefruit, strawberries, and peaches.
Un-denatured whey protein isolate,
Studies show whey protein can increase glutathione levels significantly. Even a single daily serving can boost glutathione. Some people have a hard time digesting whey protein, so consider getting un-denatured, from grass-fed cows, and with no artificial additives. This may help.
Broccoli sprouts have been shown to dramatically boost glutathione.
Turmeric of course is a another nutrient you should already be consuming, and it has been shown to raise glutathione levels.