Glutathione is one of the body’s most power detoxifying agents, especially useful in chemical and metal sensitivities/toxicities. Recent clinical findings suggest that many individuals need it, although they do not test deficient in cysteine, glycine, or glutamic acid (its components). In my experience, numerous patients, despite having the components, cannot synthesize it in adequate amounts. Perhaps a fogged-out patient is also fogged out internally and is having a rough time synthesizing glutathione until you have eliminated other factors. Glutathione is a tri-peptide with free thiol (-SH) groups, making it a very powerful antioxidant, anticarcinogen, and binder of xenobiotics (toxic chemicals) and toxic metals (especially mercury, gold, cadmium, and copper). Selenium works synergistically with GSH, as does vitamin E and zinc. When there is an increased need for antioxidant activity, it is theorized that most cells will require GSH from the plasma (which gets it from the liver) as opposed to making it. When the liver’s synthesis capability is diminished (as it easily can be from chronic chemical and metal exposure), the body’s GSH requirement must be obtained by diet and supplementation. Dietary, raw fruits and vegetables (especially spinach and parsley) can raise plasma GSH levels, although it is wise to also supplement.
Supplementation with glutathione can be tricky business. Oral forms of glutathione are broken down in the gut and are not absorbed, making them worthless. The most efficacious routes of administration are nebulization, inhalant, suppository, and injectable (e.g., IM and IV routes) forms. For home usage, we have found nebulization and suppository forms to be the easiest routes of delivery. Both methods provide even, stable levels of reduced glutathione for the entire body. Precursors are substances that upregulate the body’s ability to produce its own glutathione. Supplementing with precursors in addition to reduced glutathione can be advantageous when taken in the proper amounts. One example of those is N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC). Interesting, is that animal studies have shown supplementation with glycine and glutamic acid had no effect on plasma and tissue GSH. Removal of chemicals, toxins, and heavy metals during excretion via the urine and bile is essential. This is promoted with increased hydration and a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
If your body is harboring heavy metals, it is prudent to increase supplementation with high potency glutathione products. If you are interested in obtaining the highest potency, reduced form of glutathione, log on to GlutaSource.com or call and speak to one of the representatives at 941.330.8553.
The Many Benefits of Glutathione
It is the major endogenous antioxidant produced by the cells, participating directly in the neutralization of free radicals and reactive oxygen compounds, as well as maintaining exogenous antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, in their reduced (active) forms.
- Regulation of the nitric oxide cycle, which is critical for life but can be problematic if unregulated.
- Through direct conjugation, it detoxifies many xenobiotics (foreign compounds) and carcinogens, both organic and inorganic. This includes heavy metals such as mercury, lead, and arsenic.
- It is essential for the immune system to exert its full potential, e.g., modulating antigen presentation to lymphocytes, thereby influencing cytokine production and type of response (cellular or humoral) that develops, enhancing proliferation of lymphocytes, thereby increasing magnitude of response, enhancing killing activity of cytotoxic T cells and NK cells, and regulating apoptosis, thereby maintaining control of the immune response.
- It plays a fundamental role in numerous metabolic and biochemical reactions such as DNA synthesis and repair, protein synthesis, prostaglandin synthesis, amino acid transport, and enzyme activation. Thus, every system in the body can be affected by the state of the glutathione system, especially the immune system, the nervous system, the gastrointestinal system and the lungs.
