Glutathione – Antioxidant & Immunity
Glutathione is a substance made from the amino acids glycine, cysteine, and glutamic acid. It is produced by the liver and involved in many body processes. Glutathione levels in the body may be reduced by a number of factors, including poor nutrition, environmental toxins, and stress. Its levels also decline with age.
Glutathione benefits
Glutathione is involved in tissue building and repair, making chemicals and proteins needed in the body, and in immune system function.
People take glutathione for aging, alcohol use disorder, liver disease, heart disease, and many other conditions, but there are as of yet no good scientific studies to support these uses.
Glutathione is the most abundant intracellular thiol (i.e., a compound containing a sulfhydryl [SH] group) and low molecular weight tripeptide found in living cells. The antioxidant functions of Glutathione Reduced include recycling vitamins E and C and serving as an antioxidant in all types of tissues.
Take with vitamin C to enhance the effects and bioavailability of vitamin C.
Glutathione is a small peptide molecule composed of three amino acids: cysteine, glutamic acid, and glycine. It is produced by every cell in the body, with especially high levels in the liver. Glutathione is critical for healthy immune system function and is necessary for proper detoxification processes. It also plays a critical role in the body’s defense system against oxidative stress by directly neutralizing free-radicals, as well as by maintaining the activity of Vitamins C and E. Our body needs about 300 mg of food sourced glutathione daily to keep up with all the demands of free radicals produced by energy production and to guard against environmental toxins.
. It is produced by every cell in the body, with especially high levels in the liver. Glutathione is critical for healthy immune system function and is necessary for proper detoxification processes. It also plays a critical role in the body’s defense system against oxidative stress by directly neutralizing free-radicals, as well as by maintaining the activity of Vitamins C and E.
Glutathione is an important supplement for cancer. It is an antioxidant that our body produces but cancer cells are destroying it from our body. So, we take glutathione to eliminate the free radicals in the body so that the free radicals won’t turn other healthy cells into cancer cells.
The benefits of glutathione are usually seen after at least three weeks. It may improve psoriasis, reduce cell damage in alcoholic and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, improves insulin resistance in older individuals, increases mobility for people with peripheral artery disease, reduces symptoms of Parkinson’s disease like tremors and rigidity, may help fight against autoimmune disease. Reduced glutathione (GSH, or L-glutathione) is the active form.
Glutathione helps to detox the body by removing toxins and heavy metals. It as well helps reduce oxidative stress, cell damage and improves insulin resistance. To my father it has helped with shaking hands. Note as well that glutathione is made in the liver and NAC as well supports the natural production of it in case you want to get it in a more natural way.
“I suffered from migraine for more than 10 years and I was prone to allergic rhinitis, colds and fever every now and then but they all gone. It’s been more than 3 years since get fever or colds. It has been my immune system booster.”
Someone said they had a bad reaction after a covid vaccine shot, and the symptoms improved after taking glutathione, presumably because of its detoxification properties.
Glutathione stimulates the work of other antioxidants – vitamins C, E, beta carotene. Glutathione maintains healthy skin tone, reduces pigmentation, shrinks pores and brightens the skin, normalizes sleep and calms the nervous system. I recommend this supplement.
Improves insulin resistance. Glutathione is made in the liver and NAC as well supports the natural production of it in case you want to get it in a more natural way.
I used to give this to Mom, as well as NAC, when I had her on a powerful detox regime in trying to address her cognitive problems when one of the theories was that she may have heavy metal poisoning. It was part of the “Mary Protocal” I had her on. I learned at the time that the two were critical in detoxification
Milk thistle extract and alpha lipoic acid are included in some Glutathione products as complementary ingredients.
Some people who have tried different brands say they got best results with Now B
Supports Healthy Detoxification Processes*
Supports Cellular Health & Immune Function*
Glutathione is a well researched antioxidant that plays an important role in healthy detoxification processes, protecting cells from free radical damage, maintaining cellular health and supporting overall immune function.* The reduced form has been studied for its bioavailability.*
Skin: Many report a skin brightening or lightening effect. “Glowy”. Skin has become more clear, glowing and glossy..
“I have sun damage from years ago, the redness and peeling went but left with some patchy and nasty looking discolouration. Not to be mistaken with a nice even and bronzey tan, this is like blotchy leathery skin. I’ve been taking it once a day for nearly 3 months now with equivalent VitC. The blotchiness in my skin has visibly improved. the discolouration has lightened.”
Possible side effects may include:
- abdominal cramps
- bloating
- trouble breathing due to bronchial constriction
- allergic reactions, such as rash
1. Reduces oxidative stress
Oxidative stress occurs when there’s an imbalance between the production of free radicals and the body’s ability to fight them off. Too-high levels of oxidative stress may be a precursor to multiple diseases. These include diabetes, cancer, and rheumatoid arthritis. Glutathione helps stave off the impact of oxidative stress, which may, in turn, reduce disease.
An article cited in Journal of Cancer Science and Therapy indicated that glutathione deficiency leads to increased levels of oxidative stress, which might lead to cancer. It also stated that elevated glutathione levels raised antioxidant levels and resistance to oxidative stress in cancer cells.
2. May improve psoriasis
A small studyTrusted Source indicated that whey protein, when given orally, improved psoriasis with or without additional treatment. Whey protein had been previously demonstrated to increase glutathione levels. Study participants were given 20 grams as an oral supplement daily for three months. Researchers stated that more study is needed.
3. Reduces cell damage in alcoholic and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Cell death in the liver may be exacerbated by a deficiency in antioxidants, including glutathione. This can lead to fatty liver disease in both those who misuse alcohol and those who don’t. Glutathione has been shown to improve protein, enzyme, and bilirubin levels in the blood of individuals with alcoholic and nonalcoholic chronic fatty liver disease.
A studyTrusted Source reported that glutathione was most effective when given to people with fatty liver disease intravenously, in high doses. Participants in the study also showed reductions in malondialdehyde, a marker of cell damage in the liver.
Another small studyTrusted Source found that orally administered glutathione had positive effects on people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease following proactive lifestyle changes. In this study, glutathione was provided in supplement form in a dose of 300 milligrams per day for four months.
4. Improves insulin resistance in older individuals
As people age, they produce less glutathione. Researchers at Baylor School of Medicine used a combination of animal and human studies to explore the role of glutathione in weight management and insulin resistance in older individuals. Study findings indicated that low glutathione levels were associated with less fat burning and higher rates of fat storing in the body.
Older subjects had cysteine and glycine added to their diets to increase glutathione levels, which spiked within two weeks, improving insulin resistance and fat burning.
5. Increases mobility for people with peripheral artery disease
Peripheral artery disease occurs when the peripheral arteries become clogged by plaque. It most commonlyTrusted Source happens in the legs. One study reported that glutathione improved circulation, increasing the ability of study participants to walk pain-free for longer distances. Participants receiving glutathione rather than a saline solution placebo were given intravenous infusions two times daily for five days, and then analyzed for mobility.
6. Reduces symptoms of Parkinson’s disease
Parkinson’s disease affects the central nervous system and is defined by symptoms such as tremors. It currently has no cure. One older study documented intravenous glutathione’s positive effects on symptoms such as tremors and rigidity. While more research is needed, this case report suggests that glutathione may help reduce symptoms, improving quality of life in people with this disease.
7. May help fight against autoimmune disease
The chronic inflammation caused by autoimmune diseases can increase oxidative stress. These diseases include rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease, and lupus. According to one studyTrusted Source, glutathione helps reduce oxidative stress by either stimulating or reducing the body’s immunological response. Autoimmune diseases attack the mitochondria in specific cells. Glutathione works to protect cell mitochondria by eliminating free radicals.
8. May reduce oxidative damage in children with autism
Several studiesTrusted Source, including a clinical trial reported in Medical Science MonitorTrusted Source, indicate that children with autism have higher levels of oxidative damage and lower levels of glutathione in their brain. This increased susceptibility to neurological damage in children with autism from substances such as mercury.
The eight-week clinical trial on children aged 3 to 13 used oral or transdermal applications of glutathione. Autistic symptom changes were not evaluated as part of the study, but children in both groups showed improvement in cysteine, plasma sulfate, and whole-blood glutathione levels.
9. May reduce the impact of uncontrolled diabetes
Long-term high blood sugar is associated with reduced amounts of glutathione. This can lead to oxidative stress and tissue damage. A study found that dietary supplementation with cysteine and glycine boosted glutathione levels. It also lowered oxidative stress and damage in people with uncontrolled diabetes, despite high sugar levels. Study participants were placed on 0.81 millimoles per kilogram (mmol/kg) of cysteine and 1.33 mmol/kg glycine daily for two weeks.
10. May reduce respiratory disease symptoms
N-acetylcysteine is a medication used to treat conditions such as asthma and cystic fibrosis. As an inhalant, it helps to thin mucus and make it less paste-like. It also reduces inflammation. N-acetylcysteine is byproduct of glutathioneTrusted Source.
Glutathione is found in some foods, although cooking and pasteurization diminish its levels significantly. Its highest concentrations are in:
- raw or very rare meat
- unpasteurized milk and other unpasteurized dairy products
- freshly-picked fruits and vegetables, such as avocado, and asparagus.
Takeaway
Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant that’s made in the body’s cells. Its levels decrease as a result of aging, stress, and toxin exposure. Boosting glutathione may provide many health benefits, including reduction of oxidative stress.
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