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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – Glutathione, our body’s own natural antioxidant is not commonly known to most of us compared to the widely discussed antioxidants such as Vitamin C, E, and the phytochemical’s such as Beta-carotene and Resveratrol (to name a few). But just because glutathione is not commonly discussed, it doesn’t make it less powerful. In fact, many experts suggest that glutathione is one of the most powerful antioxidants of all! Let’s start with the basics. What exactly is an antioxidant?
An antioxidant is defined as any chemical compound, which protects the body from the effects of oxidation. This protection occurs through different methods depending upon the antioxidant. In general, antioxidants neutralize and/or eliminate free radicals, which are produced from the metabolic processes that occur during every function in our body. Since every single thing that occurs in our body from breathing, eating, walking, exercising, to thinking and living, uses oxygen, we generate free radicals as a by-product. We can compare this to the rusting or corrosion that occurs when metals are left exposed to air over time. Sound crazy? Well, this is where our powerful antioxidant glutathione comes to our rescue!
Glutathione is one of our body’s own antioxidants as part a defense system produced to counter-act, neutralize and eliminate these free radicals, which are produced from oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is a term used to define the point at which the build-up of reactive oxygen molecules produced, exceeds our body’s ability to neutralize the free radicals. This leaves our body open to cellular damage. Our body needs its own antioxidant system, after all, if it didn’t we would corrode a lot sooner. When I say corrode, I am referring mainly to the aging process, and chronic diseases, especially the type we are more likely to succumb to as we age. Oxidative stress has been linked to such diseases as arteriosclerosis, cataracts and macular disease, some cancers, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and reduced immune functioning to name a few. In addition, oxidative stress and free radicals are theorized to play a role in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s.
Why might we need to supplement our own body’s production of glutathione?
We are
Getting older. As we age, our production of glutathione decreases in all our cells. Middle aged individuals have significantly less glutathione in their blood than 20 -year olds. Scroll down to my Internal Combustion section, which increases as part of the aging process! As we age, our immune functions decrease as well.
Taking medications. Free radicals are formed as a by -product of detoxifying drugs. Alcohol while not a medication (well to some of us), is also detoxified in the liver, again forming free radicals.
Exposed to environmental pollutants. Again, free radicals are produced in our body when we are exposed to air pollution, cigarette smoke, VOC’s such as found in house paint, new furniture and synthetic materials, wood burning stoves, and other toxic chemicals (household cleaners as one example) and this includes heavy metals (mercury found in food ring a bell?). Of course, we are also exposed to pesticides in our food, and well, our “environmental exposure” is limitless.
Radiation. Here I’m referring to ionizing radiation (x-rays, CT scans), and ultraviolet radiation (the sun especially when we tan).
Internal combustion. Okay, known as endogenous free radicals, these are formed during exercise, production of physical and mental energy, and every single function in our body. This also includes the processes that our bodies perform during periods of stress, especially chronic stress! Free radicals form as a result of respiration (we breathe in oxygen from air), metabolism, and inflammation. As a result, because our antioxidant systems are not perfect, as we age, cell parts are damaged as oxidation accumulates.
Now, before we become hopeless, let’s remember that dietary antioxidants found in our healthy “deeply colored foods” are one way to augment our own antioxidant system. This is why it is so important for us to eat the minimum recommended 5 servings a day of fruits and vegetables (we’ll get into this in another tip!). Fruits, vegetables and sources of protein including whey protein found in protein powders, and lean meats give us the raw materials for our body to make its own antioxidants including glutathione. Consuming foods rich in sulphur-containing amino acids can help boost glutathione levels. Foods such as asparagus (sulfur is the odor some of us smell when we’ve digested the asparagus!), a leading source of glutathione and foods like broccoli, avocado and spinach are also known to boost glutathione levels.
What else can we do? We can consider a multi-vitamin/mineral, which also contains antioxidants, and we can consider supplementing with oral glutathione. In one study conducted on mice exposed to stress with resulting reduced serum levels of endogenous antioxidants (their own body’s antioxidants including glutathione), supplementation was found to reduce the oxidative damage to their brain and cardiovascular system. Sounds good to me!
In another research study, Glutathione supplementation did not have as large an effect on immune cell production in young subjects; however, it did show a greater increased immune cell production in older subjects. They concluded that supplementation enhanced T cell-mediated responses in young and old subjects. I first learned about glutathione during my nutrition and sport nutrition studies, but more recently, thanks to a symposium given by Dr. Hyla Cass, Author of 8 Weeks to Vibrant Health. I learned even more about glutathione’s role in our health, especially its role in brain health. To read more about her go to http://www.cassmd.com/, and to learn more about Setria, a leader of Glutathione research and supplements go to http://setriaglutathione.com/news.html
Here’s to Antioxidant Power for Our Health!
June M. Lay M.S.
Junefit
Please seek the advise of your Doctor, for any medical concerns or before begining a supplementation program.
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Sources:
1. Hasan S, Bilal N et. al.,; Multivitamin-Mineral and Vitamins (E + C) Supplementation Modulate Chronic Unpredictable Stress-Induced Oxidative Damage in Brain and Heart, of Mice. Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, A. M. University, Aligarh, 202002, Uttar Pradesh, India. Trace Elem Res. 2010 Jul 16. Retrieved from Pubmed.
2. Wu D, Meydani SN, et. al., In vitro glutathione supplementation enhances interleukin-2 production and mitogenic response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from young and old subjects. Nutritional Immunology Laboratory, U.S. Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111. J Nutr. 1994 May;124(5):655-63.
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