As one of the building blocks of proteins, glutathione is an essential component of all living things. It is composed of three non-essential amino acids, cysteine, glycine, and glutamic acid. Additionally, glutamate is created from glutamic acid, which is crucial to nervous system communication.

In your body, glutathione is produced in two forms: reduced and oxidized. The amount of reduced glutathione in your cells determines how well they are protected from oxidative stress. According to research, a healthy cell should contain over 100 times more reduced glutathione than oxidized glutathione.

One of glutathione's most important functions is to act as the body's most powerful natural antioxidant:

• Controls cellular proliferation and death
• Removes mercury from cells
• Promotes the regeneration of vitamins C and E
• Removes toxins from the body
• Contributes to the metabolism of nutrients
• Maintains a healthy immune system

Several studies have shown that low glutathione levels can lead to oxidative stress, which can cause a variety of diseases to develop. Many diseases have been extensively studied, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, liver disease, cancer, heart attacks, seizures, and diabetes.

The levels of glutathione can be raised through dietary changes, oral or nebulized supplementation, or intravenous supplementation. This nutrient aids the body's cells in fighting oxidative stress.

In this article, a well-researched scientific basis will be used to support the benefits of glutathione.

1.) It is an antioxidant - it protects the body from the effects of oxidation

Your body continually transfers electrons between molecules. During oxidation, the structure and function of your molecules are altered. This happens naturally throughout the process of respiration, and it is harmful to your cells.

The body uses antioxidants to combat excess oxidation. Antioxidants act as protective shields by converting glutathione from its reduced to oxidized form to prevent cell damage and oxidation.

When the body experiences oxidative stress, it produces new molecules of glutathione to counterbalance the imbalance between the oxidizing and antioxidant elements.

2.) Reduces liver cell damage

The liver is responsible for detoxification and metabolism and can be damaged by oxidative stress caused by drugs, environmental factors, or dietary components. Oxidative stress triggers the liver to produce glutathione within its cells.

The treatment for chronic liver disease in patients with low glutathione levels is generally intravenously delivered glutathione. Mice with low glutathione levels also develop liver disease.

The results of a second clinical study also support the beneficial effects of oral glutathione, but it is unclear whether the amino acids in glutathione break down during digestion, or whether they are absorbed whole.

3.) Boosts insulin sensitivity

About 1.5 million Americans died of diabetes in 2019. Diabetes occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin, or when it cannot use the insulin it produces.

High blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) can result in oxidative stress. This association plays an important role in diabetes progression. Low glutathione levels can also influence diabetes progression.

Supplementation with glutathione increases glutathione production, reduces oxidative stress, and improves insulin sensitivity.

4.) Reduces Parkinson's disease symptoms

Parkinson's disease, with symptoms like motor function loss and cognitive decline, is the second-most common neurodegenerative disease in the world.

Increasing oxidative stress and other changes in the brain are responsible for the progression of Parkinson's disease, according to current research.

Parkinson's disease can cause low levels of glutathione in the early stages of the disease because the brain produces less glutathione than other cells in the body. Animal studies and clinical trials have shown that glutathione improves motor function in Parkinson's disease patients.

5.) Reduces the damage caused by ulcerative colitis

Various forms of inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis, appear to be exacerbated by oxidative stress. Although the underlying causes of these diseases are unclear, the role of oxidation is well understood.

Inflammatory bowel diseases are accompanied by a decrease in antioxidant production even before symptoms manifest. Because glutathione is the most important antioxidant, it protects cells during the healing process.

The cells can function better in diseases such as ulcerative colitis when glutathione levels are replenished, as well as be protected from further damage caused by oxidative stress.

6.) Immune diseases may be reduced

Many autoimmune diseases have been linked to increased oxidative stress and decreased glutathione levels due to inflammation and oxidative stress.

Glutathione controls inflammation, which helps stimulate or suppress the immune system.

Since the immune system cannot distinguish between cells and pathogens, it creates inflammation in response.



As a result, oxidative damage could be prevented and side effects associated with autoimmune disorders like psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, alopecia areata, multiple sclerosis, and systemic lupus erythematosus could be reduced.

7.) Improves mobility in peripheral artery disease

When fat deposits build up in the arteries, occlusive peripheral arterial disease can result. This narrows the arteries and reduces blood flow.

The symptoms of atherosclerosis usually manifest themselves as pain, cramping, and numbness while walking. These symptoms often worsen when the person is resting.

Reduced blood flow causes cells to lose oxygen, which leads to cellular destruction and excessive oxidative reactions. Antioxidants could mitigate the effects of oxidative stress.

Researchers discovered that enhancing glutathione levels prolonged the patients' ability to walk pain-free, as well as improved local circulation.

8.) Treatment of autism spectrum disorders

According to the World Health Organization, approximately one in 160 children have autism spectrum disorder. People with autism spectrum disorders have significantly lower glutathione levels than people with other disorders.

Oxidative stress plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of autism. When antioxidant capacity is depleted, cell damage, chronic inflammation, protein degradation, and DNA damage occur.

A glutathione supplement can increase glutathione levels in the body, thereby balancing oxidizing factors and antioxidants in the brain.

9.) Aging prevention

Everyone is worried about aging. Aging affects every cell in your body, but it is most obvious on the skin.

Glutathione helps prevent oxidative stress, which is a major cause of aging. As we age, our cells produce less glutathione, which inhibits the antioxidant mechanism.

Supplementing with glutathione has been shown to reduce wrinkles, improve skin elasticity, and regulate melanin production.

10.) Enhances athletic performance

Muscles produce glutathione to counteract the harmful effects of oxidative molecules such as reactive oxygen and nitrogen species.

It has been shown that boosting glutathione levels delays muscle fatigue.

Boosting your antioxidant levels is one way to combat oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is caused by various factors, including environmental factors, diseases, and food categories.

Boosting glutathione levels with supplements

It is important to take vitamins responsibly and follow medical advice. Some supplements boost glutathione levels in the body:

Vitamin E: Vitamin E supplementation boosts glutathione levels while also fighting lipid peroxidation, and vitamin E levels are directly linked to glutathione levels.

Vitamin C: Vitamin C can protect against glutathione depletion under stress conditions when taken in controlled amounts.

Vitamin B6: The biologically active form of this vitamin facilitates glutathione synthesis.

Selenium: Selenium increases levels of glutathione peroxidase, an enzyme that uses glutathione to lower oxidative damage in tissues, so it indirectly influences glutathione's antioxidant properties.

Magnesium: By elevating the concentration of glutathione in the blood, this mineral may provide antioxidant protection

Silymarin: The bioactive compound silymarin is isolated from milk thistle and has been used primarily as a liver toxin. Studies have shown it can raise glutathione and vitamin C levels.

N-acetylcysteine: Frequently administered to patients with HIV, cysteine is a precursor to cysteine, an amino acid that increases glutathione levels.

It is crucial to eat the right foods to maintain a healthy body, and this is also true for maintaining good glutathione levels.

Meat, eggs, and dairy products are high in protein, which is a main dietary influence on glutathione levels.

Furthermore, whey protein is beneficial due to its high cysteine content. Studies have shown that the presence of safe levels of protein can still lead to a reduction in glutathione levels and antioxidant levels.

Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish, nuts, seeds (walnuts, chia seeds), and plant oils (flaxseed oil, canola oil), which have been shown to boost glutathione levels and enhance its effectiveness when taken alongside vitamin E supplements.

In vegetables, fortified cereals, and grain products, riboflavin converts glutathione into its active antioxidant state.

Almonds, peanuts, spinach, pumpkin, and red bell pepper are some of the best foods that contain a high amount of vitamin E.

We can help you with your glutathione levels if you are ready to begin your journey to wellness and health. Those feeling fatigued, unwell, experiencing muscle or joint soreness, recovering from athletic training, illness, or covid-19 should take glutathione. To schedule an appointment, call (214) 214-4970.