Mini Header – Login

Reap the Benefits of Glutathoine

Vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and other antioxidants are on everyone’s radar, so it’s ironic that we don’t hear much about glutathione considering it’s the body’s master antioxidant—and so much more.

That’s probably because you can’t go to your health food store and buy glutathione in a bottle. Well, you can, but it’s not recommend as it’s poorly absorbed and most, but not all of these supplements have little to no effect on glutathione levels in the body. That said, you can and should use more creative means to boost glutathione production as low levels of this crucial compound dramatically increase your risk of disease and vulnerability to toxins.

Glutathione Protects Against Serious Disease

Antioxidants are nature’s antidote to oxidative stress, the accumulation of free radicals that underlies a vast number of diseases and the functional impairments associated with aging. Free radicals also contribute to the many undesirable cosmetic changes that we associate with old age. Antioxidants donate electrons to quench free radicals, ultimately protecting cells and mitochondria (little factories inside our cells that generate energy). If glutathione is depleted in a cell, it will lead to cell death. Glutathione and its related enzymes are our most prolific antioxidants and in addition to directly scavenging free radicals, they also reactivate other antioxidants.

But that’s just one of the benefits of glutathione. It also plays crucial roles in the immune response, DNA repair, mitochondrial function and the detoxification of drugs, chemicals, heavy metals, radiation, metabolic wastes, and other toxins and carcinogens. Glutathione also plays a role in inflammation as the ratio between oxidized and reduced glutathione in the body is indicative of not only overall toxicity, but also inflammatory response. Low glutathione levels are associated with chronic inflammation, mitochondrial superoxide production and oxidative protein / DNA damage.

Given this broad range of activities, it makes sense that glutathione depletion is associated with disease and aging—and that increasing glutathione levels is not only a smart move for health maintenance, but also an effective therapy for a host of serious diseases.

Boost Glutathione Levels With Food and Other Supplements

As mentioned earlier, because glutathione is so poorly absorbed, most oral glutathione supplements are worthless. However, there are some supplements such as Bulletproof’s Glutathione Force which include liposomal delivery systems to increase the bioavailability of the glutathione. Glutathione Force goes one step further including  molybdenum, a trace mineral that supports enzymatic activation for glutathione pathways, and riboflavin (Vitamin B2), a necessary precursor supporting the recycling of used glutathione. Click here for additional information and to watch a video on Bulletproof Glutathione Force.

You can also increase levels of this master anti-oxidant by supplying the body with the raw materials required for glutathione production.

Glutathione is a simple molecule comprised of three amino acids (glycine, glutamine, and sulfur-rich cysteine). That’s why broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kale, garlic, onions, and other “stinky” cruciferous and allium vegetables, which contain sulfur compounds, help boost glutathione levels. Other dietary sources include avocado and walnuts.

Leading the list of glutathione precursor supplements is N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC). This natural derivative of cysteine is so effective that it’s used in emergency rooms to treat acetaminophen (Tylenol) poisoning and to thin mucus in the lungs. (NAC is also effective for allergies, memory loss, and Parkinson’s disease.)

Alpha lipoic acid also ramps up glutathione synthesis and significantly enhances detoxification, and we use it as part of our Nourish Balance Thrive personal wellness program, along with selenium and silymarin, to treat hepatitis and other liver diseases. Research suggests that the “sleep hormone” melatonin also boosts glutathione status, this by stimulating production of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase.

The typical recommended dosages for these glutathione-boosting supplements are: NAC and alpha lipoic acid 200 mg of each 1–3 times a day, plus daily doses of selenium 200–400 mcg; silymarin 900 mg (for healthy liver function and improved detoxification); whey protein 1-2 scoops (added to smoothie, or with almond, hemp or coconut milk); and melatonin 3 mg at bedtime.

Make sure your daily multivitamin contains optimal levels of other nutrients that help optimize glutathione status: vitamin C 1,000 mg; vitamin E 300 IU; folic acid 800 mcg; vitamin B12 150 mcg; and vitamin B6 75 mg.

IV and Inhaled Glutathione Are Also Helpful

While these targeted nutrients improve systemic glutathione status, some conditions call for more intensive doses. This can best be accomplished by administering it intravenously (IV therapy), thereby bypassing the digestive tract and efficiently delivering it to target tissues.

Intravenous glutathione theraphy is particularly good for those who are: recovering from strokes and those with hepatitis, help those who wish to stay as healthy as possible throughout the arduous medical treatments such as chemotheraphy and radiation, battling Lyme disease and neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, pancreatic inflammation and many other other chronic illnesses—conditions associated with dramatic increases in oxidative stress and depletions in glutathione. IV glutathione isn’t a slam-dunk, and for these conditions it’s typically used in conjunction with hyperbaric oxygen and other therapies.

Glutathione is also an excellent treatment for emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, and other serious lung diseases, but again, getting therapeutic amounts into the lungs is a challenge. The solution: nebulized (converted into a fine spray) inhaled glutathione. Inhaled glutathione requires a prescription and can be ordered from compounding pharmacies.

Other Benefits of Glutathione

Maximizing glutathione status is also a proven treatment for chronic fatigue, autoimmune disorders, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, environmental sensitivities, autism, and more. Disease aside, it’s a ticket to better health and longevity.

** This article is not meant to serve as medical advice.

Related Articles