Glutathione (GSH) is an antioxidant which keeps other antioxidants, such as vitamins E and E and CoQ10. It prevents free radical damage by disarming them before they get the chance to attack the cells. While only an estimate, our cells are attacked 10,000 times by free radicals on a daily basis. Glutathione is the most potent antioxidant in the body and it is made of three amino acids: cysteine, glycine, and glutamine. Due to its potency, it is referred to as “the master antioxidant.”
This antioxidant helps with oxidant stress by recharging other antioxidants. According to the scientists, our lifetime is determined by the amount of GSH in every cell in our bodies.
The ideal ratio of glutathione is 10 percent inactive and 90 percent active for the purpose of balancing antioxidants, cells, and removing toxins. The bad news is that our bodies are exposed to too many toxins for this ratio to remain stable.
The Importance of Glutathione!
- Lack of GSH leads to an overload of toxins and fat-soluble toxins which are then stored in the fat cells. The cells in the breast, prostate, and central nervous system are the most susceptible cells. Since the body produces more of the dangerous free radicals, it needs larger quantities of glutathione.
- As mentioned a few times earlier, glutathione is one of the most protective against viruses, diseases, radiation pollution, drugs, oxidative stress, and toxins. It fights off carcinogens, cellular toxins, and it repairs damaged cells.
- The percentage of GSH decreases as we age and it is estimated that it declines at a rate of 8-12 percent every ten years after the age of 20. The rate of depletion can be affected by infection, toxic load, and the use of drugs. A decrease at 70 percent causes serious health issues such as neurological disease and even cancer.
How to Increase Glutathione?
Increasing GSH is not that easy as taking a pill, so there is no need to waste money on supplementation. But, there are other ways to increase our protection with GSH. Among them are:
- Consume more antioxidants, such as glycine, glutamic acid, and cysteine. Even though low in amino acids, spinach, onion, turmeric, avocados, and cruciferous vegetables are a solid source. Other sources include wheat germ, asparagus, broccoli, watermelon, tomatoes, walnuts, organic eggs and grass-fed whey protein.
- Sometimes, an IV of GSH would have an instant result, but once it stops, so does the flow of glutathione.
- Vitamin D stimulates the production of GSH. Since our modern society is extremely deficient, the optimal levels of this vitamin should be 60-100ng/ ml.
- Glutamine is nutrient which boosts intestinal health and serves as a precursor to glutathione, which is considered as the rate-limiting nutrient for the formation of glutathione.
- Curcumin is of utmost importance when it comes to increasing glutathione levels.
To sum up, to prevent the damage caused by toxins, stressors, and radiation, it is important to be armed with antioxidants.