Glutathione is the most powerful antioxidant in our body.
A tripeptide (Glutamine, Cysteine and Glycine) that prevents damage to our cells caused by reactive oxygen species like free radicals and peroxides.
How Glutathione Works
Essentially Glutathione is a magnet, passing through each of our cells, gathering up toxins and heavy metals in order to purge them from the body. Once a Glutathione molecule gathers up these toxins, it is converted into its oxidized form Glutathione Disulfide (GSSG).
The ratio of Reduced Glutathione to Oxidized Glutathione within the cells is used to measure cellular toxicity. Regarded as the single best indication of overall health and well-being.
Glutathione is the body’s Master Antioxidant, responsible for the health and well-being of every cell in the body.
Why It’s Important
Glutathione levels deplete naturally as we age, leaving us increasingly vulnerable to infection, illness’ and disease.
Exogenous factors can further deplete our GSH levels. Air pollution, toxins found in our food and water, pharmaceutical medications, illness and diets high in processed foods all contribute to depleted Glutathione levels. This makes it extremely important to supplement Glutathione levels directly with Acetyl Glutathione or with precursors like N Acetylcysteine and R-Alpha Lipoic Acid.
Glutathione Supplements
Glutathione supplements are critical in order to maintain a healthy Glutathione level throughout the aging process.
The importance of supplementing Glutathione levels is punctuated by the increasingly toxic environment we live in.
The modern world bombards up with toxins daily, through air pollution, toxins in our food, minute radiation accumulation and dependence on pharmaceutical medications; creating a perfect storm to damage to our body and deplete GSH levels. Resulting in an increasingly scary disease rate. The impact on our cognitive health is shown by the impact on neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, which is affecting more and more people as well as occurring far earlier in life.
Enhancing GSH levels is vital to both protect and repair your body from the toxic world we live in.
Benefits of Glutathione
Responsible for the health of every cell in the body, the body’s principal tool in detoxifying itself and chelating heavy metals. Needless to say the health benefits of Glutathione are countless and paramount to our quality of life.
High Glutathione levels in the body is considered a principle indicator for overall health and well-being. It is synonymous with good health, therefore it is commonly believed to aid in the treatment of virtually every condition.
Glutathione is critical for healthy mitochondrial function, DNA health and energy production. Improving our immune function and acting as an effective anti-inflammatory, adequate GSH levels benefit every system in the body.
Cognitive Health / Function
Cognitive benefits of Glutathione are among the most important. Dementia, Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases are catalyzed by the accumulation of toxins and heavy metals in the brain and nervous system. Increasing Glutathione levels will help to clear these harmful substances from the brain, something that very few antioxidants are able to do due to the selective permeability of the blood brain barrier.
Detoxifying the brain not only helps prevent cognitive disorders, it improves cognitive function, improves memory, increases learning ability and clears away the “brain fog” that is brought on with age.
Anti Aging
Through these same pathways, Glutathione is a prominent supplement used for anti-aging. Delaying the signs of aging by repairing and preventing damage done to cells by free radicals and radiation. Glutathione helps turn back the hands of time by repairing damage done to the skin, hair, nails, eyes and most importantly the brain.
Known as “the fountain of youth”, maintaining high GSH levels is one of the best ways to combat the signs of aging. Look younger, feel younger and live longer by maintaining your body.
Energy Levels
Glutathione helps improve energy levels by enhancing cellular functions. Clearing the buildup of toxins and free radicals from our cells, improving their ability to produce energy and efficiently clear out waste products.
A healthy cell will produce energy more readily and clear away toxic byproducts easier. Resulting in a significant boost in overall energy levels and stamina. Translating into improved athletic performance, increased stamina and vitality as well as helping to reduce muscular recovery time brought on by an intense workout.
Liver Health
Glutathione is found in every cell in the body, but it is most concentrated in the organ tissue of the liver.
Glutathione benefits liver health and function by ridding the body of harmful free radicals, toxins and heavy metals. Relieving the stress that these put on the liver, allowing it to function more efficiently and even helping the liver to repair itself.
A more efficient liver function helps prevent infection, diseases and illness’. Preventing the liver from becoming overworked which can lead to inflammation and eventually cirrhosis of the liver.
How To Supplement Glutathione
Outdated information on L-glutathione has many health experts confused on the efficacy of oral L-glutathione supplements. Many still believe that orally supplementing with Glutathione has little effect on the body’s levels due to rapid degradation during the digestion process. This has since been dis-proven in recent studies done on the efficacy of oral Glutathione supplements.
A recent study did prove that supplementing with L-glutathione daily resulted in a 30-35% increase in GSH levels. Proving that L-glutathione supplements are useful for enhancing glutathione levels, especially if they are combined with other GSH enhancing ingredients.
Using Liposomal Glutathione or Acetyl Glutathione supplements is a great way to orally supplement Glutathione as well. Protecting the Glutathione molecule throughout the digestive process, helping to ensuring the molecule is intact and absorbed fully. Allowing for maximum absorption and benefits.
Acetyl Glutathione Supplements
Acetyl Glutathione is one of the more efficient way to supplement Glutathione orally.
The acetylated form of Glutathione is often used to help optimize the absorption. Ensuring the supplement is absorbed fully and intact.
Acetyl Glutathione does not have issues with shelf life and does not require high heat during the manufacturing process, helping keep the GSH molecule in tact. You can be confident that your Acetyl Glutathione supplement is benefiting your health, not going to waste.
Liposomal Glutathione Supplements
Liposomal Glutathione uses a lipid shield to protect the GSH molecule during digestion. This lipid is thought to cause problems during the manufacturing process though, especially when excessive heat is involved. The shelf-life of Liposomal Glutathione supplements is another issue consumers need to take into account.
The lipid used to envelop the GSH molecule can break down the Glutathione molecule overtime. If a Liposomal Glutathione supplement sits on the shelf too long, or is not used promptly after being manufactured it can become less effective. Similarly, if the manufacturing process involves high heat it can impact the integrity of the Glutathione molecule, rendering the supplement ineffective.
Supplementing Glutathione Precursors
Promoting endogenous Glutathione synthesis with GSH precursors is another effective way to enhance GSH levels in the body.
N Acetylcysteine, R-Alpha Lipoic Acid, Selenium and Silymarin are among the most beneficial supplements to promote endogenous Glutathione production.
By supplementing with Glutathione precursors you can help promote natural Glutathione production in the body, providing your cells with the ingredients needed to make GSH naturally. These precursors will aid in the recycling process as well, converting Oxidized Glutathione into Reduced Glutathione.
Supplement Smart
Directly enhancing Glutathione levels with Acetyl Glutathione and promoting endogenous Glutathione synthesis with the precursors mentioned above is among the best ways to supplement Glutathione. This directly improves GSH levels, enhances GSH production and the recycling process. Targeting Glutathione deficiency on multiple levels and ensuring you achieve an optimal Glutathione level and maintain it.
