Glutathione, Allergies and Antioxidant Protection in Lungs

The risk of developing respiratory allergies from exposure to diesel emissions depends largely on genetics, according to a study funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Researchers from the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California and the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA have found that genetic characteristics seen in about half the population leave allergy-sufferers particularly susceptible to the effects of diesel particles.

Here are the relevant findings from the study:

► People with a certain genetic makeup are more susceptible to allergies caused by diesel engine exhaust.

► Antioxidants can detoxify these particles and temper the body's allergic inflammatory response. The better the body can use antioxidants to defend itself, the better it may protect itself from airborne pollutants.

► The enzymes glutathione S-transferase M1, or GSTM1, and glutathione S-transferase P1, or GSTP1 - that metabolize reactive oxygen species and detoxify chemicals present in diesel exhaust - were studied for their role in protecting the lungs.

► GSTM1 occurs in two common forms in the population-either "present" or "null." People born with two of the null form of the gene cannot produce the GSTM1 protective enzyme at all.

► The GSTP1 gene can occur with a common variation called ile105. People born with two of the ile105 form of the gene produce a less-effective form of the GSTP1 enzyme.

► People who lack the GSTM1 enzyme exhibit a larger allergic response than others. Also, those who lack GSTM1 and have at least one GSTP1 ile105 genetic variant show an even larger allergic response to diesel exhaust particles.

► The findings suggest that people who lack the genes to make key antioxidants may have difficulty fighting the harmful effects of air pollution.

► Up to 50 percent of the United States population could be in jeopardy of experiencing health problems related to air pollution because of these genetic variations.

► Overcoming this genetic deficiency could possibly be accomplished by either giving people drugs that replace the role of the genes or by boosting the body's natural defenses.

► Antioxidants may prevent the effects that air pollution have on allergic inflammation.

The study and many others listed here show how glutathione (GSH) is one of the most important antioxidants in the lungs.

The research suggest that boosting levels of antioxidants like glutathione, may prevent the effects that air pollution have on allergic inflammation.

The best way to increase and maintain one's glutathione (GSH) levels is to include animal foods in your diet, as these contain the amino acids needed by the body to synthesize GSH.

An excellent food supplement is un-denatured (non-heated) whey protein that can optimize intracellular glutathione levels.

News Reports quoting the study:

More research publications on glutathione

Allergy Remedies:

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