01 Oct Glutathione: The Master Antioxidant

If there is one nutrient that is working OVERTIME in your body, it is Glutathione the Master Antioxidant. It is called the master antioxidant because it works hard to detox your body from toxins that we are exposed to everyday. We live in a toxic world in which heavy metals, chemicals, plastics, and especially here in South Carolina….MOLD. Glutathione helps to keep our bodies functioning optimally by eliminating all of these external toxins. So…let’s learn more about this potent detoxifier!

What is Glutathione?

Glutathione is produced in the liver and can be found in nearly every cell of the body. Comprised of three amino acids: cysteine, glycine, and glutamate, Glutathione supports energy production, is a scavenger for free radicals, reduces inflammation, and boosts your immunity. Recent research finds that Glutathione depletion has been strongly associated with the diseases and loss of function with aging.

Why We Need to Supplement Glutathione if Our Bodies Already Make it

Even though the human body naturally produces glutathione on its own, many environmental stressors and toxins can deplete levels in the body:

• a poor diet
• mold
• medications
• stress
• illness
• environmental toxins
• heavy metals, such as dental amalgams

We are all, unfortunately, exposed to a large amount of toxins every single day. Many of the toxins we are exposed to are apparent to us: cleaning products, exhaust fumes, pesticides and many more. There are other dangers as well: many of the chemicals that are basic ingredients in products we use everyday (plastics, makeup, personal care products, packaged foods and more) can deplete our glutathione levels.

Glutathione plays an important role in many cellular processes, including the progression of a number of human diseases, including cancer, diseases of aging, and cardiovascular, inflammatory, immune, metabolic, and neurodegenerative diseases.  Studies have shown that patients with autoimmune issues tend to have lower levels of glutathione than those without an autoimmune disorder. The consequences of our increasingly toxic world can be seen in the increasing rates of allergies, asthma, cancer, and autoimmune disease over the last half century. Therefore, without enough of this important nutrient, your body can become sick or make your symptoms worse if you are already ill.

While it seems depressing and a bit scary to think about the toxins we are exposed to on a daily basis, there is something we can do. Minimizing our exposure to certain toxins and supporting our detoxifying pathways is a great way to start. By supplementing glutathione, you can optimize your body’s own detoxification system, which in turn will optimize your overall health.

The Health Benefits of Glutathione

Relieves Oxidative Stress

Oxidative stress occurs which is when your DNA becomes damaged due to free radicals and antioxidants in your blood. Oxidative stress is a critical factor in the onset of many chronic illnesses, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and even cancer. One of the primary functions of glutathione is to neutralize a broad spectrum of free radicals and to relieve oxidative stress.

Detoxifies Mold

Most of the mold we encounter throughout our day is harmless, but certain types of mold produce chemicals that are toxic. Toxic mold exposure can cause serious disease, from autoimmune disease to cancer. Mycotoxins from mold can build up in your system and lead to a whole host of symptoms and issues, including:

• Fatigue and weakness
• Chronic burning in the throat and nasal passages
• Coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath
• Loss of balance/Vertigo
• Depression and/or anxiety
• Skin issues/rashes
• Eye irritation or tearing of the eyes
• Headache and/or light sensitivity
• Hearing loss
• Heightened sensitivity to chemicals and foods
• Irregular heartbeat
• Morning stiffness and/or joint pain
• Muscle weakness
• Sleep problems
• Poor memory, difficulty finding words
• Slower reaction time
• Vision changes
• Difficulty concentrating
• Abdominal pain, diarrhea, and/or bloating
• Unusual skin sensations, tingling, and numbness
• Increased urinary frequency or increased thirst
• Disorientation and/or dizziness
• Static shocks or metallic taste in the mouth

Yes, ALL of these signs and symptoms can and have been traced backed to mycotoxin exposure. As your body’s “master detoxifier”, glutathione can binds to these toxins and pull them out of your system so you can safely and effectively flush them out of your body.

Boosts Energy!

Glutathione is responsible for many other antioxidants that are located in your cells, including Vitamin C, Vitamin E, CoQ10, and Ubiquinol. Glutathione the master antioxidant allows your cells to work at their best by regulating these important nutrients.

Supports Immunity

As I mentioned above, low levels of glutathione can be  a critical factor in the onset of certain conditions. And thus, without enough glutathione, your body is more susceptible to attacks on your immune system. Optimizing your glutathione levels can boost your immune system by boosting your cellular health and white blood cell count (immune cells that help you to fight against infections and disease).

How to Increase Glutathione in Your Body

Supplementing with glutathione is a great idea but not all supplements are equally effective.  Liposomal glutathione supplements are easier for the body to absorb and are more effective than non-liposomal alternatives.

Glutathione protects enzyme proteins that inhibit collagen-digesting enzymes that cause damage to the skin, leading to wrinkles, or in the area of acne lesions, leading to scars.

The best liposomal glutathione I have found is one that is sprayed under the tongue (far superior absorption with sublingual delivery), is shipped refrigerated and is available by calling my office 843-375-6588.