The antioxidant glutathione plays a pivotal role in maintaining good health. In this article, we will discuss its importance and how it is produced.

 
This article has been medically reviewed by Dr. Charles Penick, MD 

What is Glutathione?

Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant that has the ability to prevent damage to the body at the cellular level. Free radicals, peroxides, and heavy metals can all be neutralized by glutathione. Nearly every cell in the body contains glutathione, making it essential to good health.

Glutathione Benefits

It’s critical a person understands the importance of glutathione and its many uses. Glutathione plays a key role in the following:

• Protects the skin, cornea, and retina against radiation damage
• Assists in detoxification of the kidneys, liver, lungs, and other organs

Extensive studies of glutathione have been conducted as well:

Liver Conditions. Glutathione has been used to treat chronic liver disease and acute liver poisoning.¹

Abnormal Cellular Growth. Studies indicate glutathione not only protects cells against abnormal growth, but it also plays a crucial role in clearing the liver.²

Blood Sugar Balancing. A link between low levels of glutathione in the body and increased risk of blood sugar imbalances has been documented by researchers.³

Stomach Issues.  Preliminary studies on lab rats indicate a correlation between low levels of glutathione in the body and the accumulation of free radicals.⁴

Brain Health. Low levels of glutathione have been associated with childhood brain-related conditions that impact memory, speech, and learning ⁵

Nervous System. The medical community has acknowledged when the number of free radicals in cells exceeds the antioxidant capacity of a cell, the risk of imbalances in the nervous system.⁶

While traditional medicine focuses on the symptoms, it’s important to get to the source of the ailment. In most instances, this will be at the cellular level, and glutathione could play a key role in its treatment.

Glutathione Production and Depletion

The human body can produce glutathione naturally, primarily from three amino acids: glutamate, glycine, and cysteine. The majority of glutathione in the body is found in the liver, which makes it an important component in the detoxification process.

However, studies on lab rats indicate glutathione levels in the body decrease with age^.7 Many believe there is a correlation between decreased levels of glutathione and aging. In addition to getting older, poor diets, radiation, heavy metals, viruses, and bacteria can all decrease glutathione levels in the body. The following medications and drugs can deplete glutathione levels as well:

• Antidepressants
• Alcohol
• Nicotine
• Pain medications
• Antibiotics
• Acetaminophen
• Acid reducers

The following foods sources contain glutathione:

• Spinach
• Avocado
• Okra
• Peppers
• Carrots
• Asparagus
• Potatoes
• Melons

Glutathione Supplements

As a person ages, it’s important they maintain adequate glutathione levels. In addition to eating healthy foods as described above, getting adequate rest can help maintain sufficient amounts of glutathione.

Supplements are also available as well:

Systemic Formulas: #433 - GCEL - Intracellular Glutathione

Gcel - Intracellular Glutathione is formulated to increase both intracellular and extracellular glutathione in the body. Benefits include the following:

• Maintain healthy glutathione levels 
• Eradicate free radicals
• Detoxifying
• 5000 times stronger than vitamin C
• Helps with insulin resistance
• Support the immune system
• Anti-aging
• Aids in weight loss

DFH - CytoWheyCocoa - Chocolate 900g Powder

CytoWheyCocoa is a great-tasting high protein, low carbohydrate functional food powder. It is made with an exceptional quality whey protein made from the milk of cows that graze on pesticide- and chemical-free, non-GMO grass pastures in New Zealand, which is known to have one of the least polluted environments in the world. The milking cows are never fed grain, nor subjected to hormone or antibiotic treatments. This whey is instantized with sunflower lecithin (non-GMO), which helps it dissolve more easily in water and prevents foaming during blending.

In addition to the many health benefits of glutathione, this product offers the following:

• Balance and decrease hunger cravings 
• Heal the gut
• Kills bacteria
• Protection from inflammation and infections
• Boost the immune system

Summary

Traditional medicine focuses on treating a person after they become sick. In most cases, that treatment focuses on relieving the symptoms, which may not get to the root cause of the issues. In many instances, the issues are at the cellular level, where glutathione is most effective.

Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant that works at the cellular level to keep the body healthy. Keeping glutathione levels high may be the key to good health. 

References

1. Yasushi Honda, Takaomi Kessoku, Yoshio Sumida, (et al.) Efficacy Of Glutathione For The Treatment Of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: An Open-Label, Single-Arm, Multicenter, Pilot Study. BMC Gastroenterol. 2017; 17: 96. Published online 2017 Aug 8. doi: 10.1186/s12876-017-0652-3 [PMCID: PMC5549431] PMID: 28789631 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5549431/#Sec10title

2. Balendiran GK1, Dabur R, Fraser D.The Role Of Glutathione In Cancer. Cell Biochem Funct. 2004 Nov-Dec;22(6):343-52. [PMID: 15386533] DOI: 10.1002/cbf.114https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/15386533/

3. Ismail Hakki Kalkan and Murat Suher. The Relationship Between The Level Of Glutathione, Impairment Of Glucose Metabolism And Complications Of Diabetes Mellitus. Pak J Med Sci. 2013 Jul-Aug; 29(4): 938–942.doi: 10.12669/pjms.294.2859 [PMCID: PMC3817774] PMID: 24353663 ht tps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3817774/

4. Demir S1, Yilmaz M, Köseoğlu M, (et al). Role Of Free Radicals In Peptic Ulcer And Gastritis. Turk J Gastroenterol. 2003 Mar;14(1):39-43. [PMID: 14593536] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/14593536/

5. Janet K. Kern, David A. Geier, James B. Adams, (et al). A Clinical Trial Of Glutathione Supplementation In Autism Spectrum Disorders. Med Sci Monit. 2011; 17(12): CR677–CR682. Published online 2011 Dec 1. doi: 10.12659/MSM.882125 [PMCID: PMC3628138] PMID: 22129897 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3628138/

6. Michelle Smeyne and Richard Jay Smeyne. Glutathione Metabolism and Parkinson’s Disease. Free Radic Biol Med. Published 2013 Sep. doi: 10.1016/ j.freeradbiomed. 2013.05.001 [PMCID: PMC3736736] NIHMSID: NIHMS477670 PMID: 23665395 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3736736/

7. Mosoni L1, Breuillé D, Buffière C, Age-Related Changes In Glutathione Availability And Skeletal Muscle Carbonyl Content In Healthy Rats. Exp Gerontol. Published. 2004 Feb;39(2):203-10. [PMID: 15036413] DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2003.10.014 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/15036413/