GLUTATHIONE (gloo-ta-thigh-own)

a medical perspective

 

The level of Glutathione in our cells is predictive of how long we will live. We need this miraculous antioxidant to survive, and without it, our liver would soon become overwhelmed with the accumulation of toxins, resulting in organ failure and death.

Glutathione is manufactured by every one of our trillions of cells and is one of the most important healing and cleansing agents. Low glutathione levels are linked to diseases such as Cancer, Multiple Sclerosis, AIDS, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Atherosclerosis, pregnancy complications, male infertility and Cataracts. Every moment Glutathione is defending our body against attacks from disease, toxins, poisons, viruses, pollutants, radiation and oxidative stress.

The oxygen we breathe helps to burn sugar and fat inside our body cells to produce energy. But about 2% of the converted oxygen remains as highly reactive molecules that modify, disrupt and impair the stable structure within our body. These are called “free radicals.” If free radicals are not neutralized, cell membranes breakdown and DNA is damaged, resulting in a compromised immune system, disease and rapid aging. Many environmental and ingested agents spur free radical production – air pollution, pesticides, radiation, alcohol, sugar, cigarette smoke, illegal drugs and prescription medications. 

To combat the hostile effect of free radicals, our bodies use antioxidants (free radical scavengers) that extinguish the biochemical fire. Bruce Ames, Ph.D. at the University of California, Berkley, estimates that every single one of our cells suffers from 10,000 hits by free radicals daily.

Glutathione is used more than any other antioxidant in the body, and is the most abundant natural antioxidant that protects our vision, boosts the immune system, helps turn carbohydrates into energy and prevents the buildup of oxidized fats that contribute to heart disease. Glutathione supports us at the cellular level by protecting every cell of the body, but our levels decline dramatically with age. Our bodies are constantly replacing and repairing free-radical damaged cells, but the demands of the modern age have created high levels of free radicals with limited supplies of Glutathione to correct the damage. Without Glutathione, other antioxidants such as vitamins C and E cannot perform their functions adequately to protect the body against disease.

The brain consumes about 20% of the oxygen utilized by the body but constitutes only 2% of the body weight and is therefore particularly susceptible to free radical attacks. Glutathione acts to prevent and protect the brain from the damage of free radicals.

Glutathione protects both the mother and the developing fetus from the damaging effects of free radicals, and minimizes the oxidative stress that occurs during labor and the birth process. The placenta contains a significant amount of glutathione to filter pollutants before they reach the baby.

In the last 75 years, clean and healthy food supplies have been replaced by sugar, processed food, chemicals, genetically altered fruit and vegetables, chemical and hormone laced dairy products, hormone and preservative laden meats, high saturated fats with sugar and thousands of medications. There are tens of thousands of confirmed toxic substances in our environment and as a result, obesity, heart disease, diabetes, allergies and mental health issues are rampant. By age 20 we are losing Glutathione at 8-12% per decade. But compromised health and excessive use of medications can deplete the body more rapidly. Some scientists estimate that a 30% reduction of Glutathione is enough for cellular dysfunction to set in.

The liver is our ultimate cleaner and has two critical functions: to process nutrients and eliminate toxins from the body. It does this by filtering the blood at about two quarts a minute.  Approximately 25% of all the blood in the body is filtered through the liver at any one time. Some glutathione is released directly by the liver into the bloodstream where it helps to maintain the strength of red blood cells while also protecting the white blood cells.

Large quantities of Glutathione are found in the liver where a two-stage detoxification process takes place. Phase One begins the chemical conversion of harmful compounds that are mainly fat-soluble into intermediate forms.  But Phase Two is where the final transformation takes place to converts the intermediate toxins into water-soluble substances that can be excreted thru the bowel or kidneys. Only water-soluble substances can be excreted. If there is not enough Glutathione to generate the Phase two enzymes, toxins will build to dangerous levels in the liver. 

Unlike unnatural detoxification supplements, the use of Glutathione is a natural process that allows our body to perform its filtering capability organically and comfortably.  Many herbs that detoxify will also deplete – Glutathione inherently builds and nourishes.

Glutathione is a critical element for good health, strong immune function, cancer prevention and the slowing of the aging process.  Basically, increasing Glutathione levels enhances life.

 

REFERENCES:

Pub Med - Metabolism and functions of glutathione in brain.
Pub Med - clinical trial of glutathione in cases of hepatic cirrhosis.
Nutritional Advisor – glutathione
Free-Radicals
Antioxidants – Your Defense Against Them
Nutritional Deficiencies
Body Detox
Gluatathione
Wellness