Your body deals with constant oxidative stress from a variety of sources. To alleviate this stress and reduce the damage, your body uses a wide array of antioxidants. Glutathione (GSH) is a specific peptide molecule that offers the greatest antioxidant protection and recharges other antioxidants. You can take a natural, proactive approach to improve your glutathione levels for optimum health.
Every cell in your body produces glutathione. Many longevity scientists believe the level of glutathione in our cells points to how long you will live. This is a reasonable belief when considering the crucial role that glutathione plays in many essential body processes. Glutathione is sometimes called the “master antioxidant” because of its role in maintaining antioxidants like vitamin C and E in their active form.
Some estimates suggest that each cell in your body withstands around 10,000 attacks by free radicals each day. Glutathione disarms these free radicals before they do damage while it alleviates oxidative stress-related damage as well.
Glutathione levels protect the brain
If you are deficient in glutathione, the toxins will overburden your liver, which results in fat-soluble toxins being stored in fatty tissues. The central nervous system, prostate, and breasts are the most susceptible areas. Some research suggests that depleted cellular glutathione may lead to a higher risk of neurological and immune-related problems. The brain produces more free radicals than other areas of the body and needs more glutathione as a result.
Glutathione’s role in immunity
Glutathione plays a crucial role in immune function. Studies show that glutathione strengthens T cells, which help modulate the immune system. T cells coordinate the attack against pathogenic viruses, bacteria, parasites, and more while mitigating tissue damage and autoimmune responses.
Glutathione fights against cellular toxins and works to eliminate carcinogens from the intracellular environment while healing damaged cells. Glutathione protects the body against disease, toxins, viruses, pollutants, radiation, drugs, and oxidative stress. It works constantly to repair the damage done by free radicals.
Glutathione production declines with age
Glutathione levels begin to decline with age. As we age, we also have greater toxin overloads and deficiencies in nutrients. Our modern world has more environmental toxicity than ever before, so glutathione production is even more important. And, our modern diets are deficient in many of the nutrients necessary for glutathione production.
By age 20, scientists estimate that the average person loses glutathione at 8-12% per decade. Increased health challenges from infection, poor diet, smoking, increased toxic load, medication usage, etc. can deplete these stores at a much faster rate. Scientists estimate that a 30% reduction of glutathione is enough for cellular dysfunction to occur.
Studies show that your body needs enough vitamin D for optimal glutathione production. Much of our population is deficient in vitamin D. Optimal vitamin D levels should be between 60-100 ng/ml.
Glutathione precursors in the diet
Glutathione precursors include glycine, glutamic acid, and cysteine, which should be consumed through our diet. The best vegetable sources include avocados, onions, spinach, & asparagus. Herbs such as turmeric have also been shown to boost glutathione content. Unfortunately, vegetable sources are still very low in these critical amino acids.
The best food sources are through high-quality animal products. These include grass-fed whey protein and cultured, raw grass-fed dairy products, and raw, organic eggs. These cultured, raw grass-fed dairy products are also a good source of amino acids and offer more cysteine than other food sources.
Glutathione supplements
Glutathione supplements are increasingly necessary for optimal health. Our modern world has so many toxins that are mental/emotional stressors. We are bombarded with environmental chemicals in our food, water, and air. This depletes our glutathione levels.
There is so much oxidative stress resulting from environmental toxins that our glutathione levels are unable to meet the demand. Then our overall health declines quickly. Our bodies respond with overproduction of antibodies and the risk of an autoimmune disease escalates. Our energy and vigor decrease and we develop chronic pain and tumors.
Our modern world has many conveniences, but these have created a need for boosting our internal antioxidant defense systems to protect us from the bombardment of toxins and oxidative stress.
Glutathione precursors
The best ways to boost glutathione from supplements include formulated compounds that have key precursors such as glycine, glutamic acid, and cysteine.
You can also add compounds such as turmeric and milk thistle and sulfur compounds like MSM, N-acetyl cysteine, and lipoic acid. Selenium is a trace mineral that also helps increase glutathione levels.
Acetylated glutathione
In difficult cases with health challenges rooted in chronic inflammation, a glutathione supplement can be a powerful tool. However, most supplemental glutathione will not absorb well through the gut barrier. Acetylated glutathione can survive the digestive tract and increase blood glutathione levels. Some forms are encapsulated with acid-resistant coatings to enable optimal absorption in the gut.
Comprehensive support
To improve the antioxidant benefits even further, try combining supplemental glutathione with glutathione precursors and other anti-inflammatory nutrients. Add to this plenty of omega 3 fatty acids for a potent combination to fight chronic inflammatory conditions.