Glutathione
(GSH) - Your Whey to Health
The most
comprehensive source of information
on glutathione and undenatured whey protein
What
is Glutathione?
Glutathione
(GSH) is your body A.I.D. (A- antioxidant, I- immune system, D-
detoxifier). It is a small protein molecule formed from the amino
acids cysteine, glycine, and glutamic acid.
Glutathione
is manufactured inside your cells. Your cell's ability to make
glutathione is determined by the supply of raw materials (or glutathione
precursors), in particular of the amino acid cysteine.
Glutathione,
the Master Antioxidant
But more importantly,
glutathione is your body's master
antioxidant and one of the most important healing agents.
The
highest concentration of glutathione is found in the liver which
is the principal organ involved in the detoxification and elimination
of toxic materials.
Interestingly,
glutathione also acts to reconstitute the antioxidant vitamins
C and E after they have been oxidized, and therefore plays a determinant
role in their function.
Glutathione,
the "Superfood"
Glutathione
is one of the 14 "Superfoods" listed in SuperFoods
Rx : Fourteen Foods That Will Change Your Life, co-authored
by Dr Steven Pratt, an authority on food and ageing.
The
list is based on an exhaustive study of the scientific research
behind the world's best daily diets, and includes the 14 nutrients
that show up consistently in the most health-promoting, disease-preventing,
anti-aging diets in the world.
Glutathione,
the Life Extension Molecule
Low
glutathione levels are found in immune compromised individuals,
neuro-degenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis, ALS, Alzheimers,
and Parkinson's disease,
atherosclerosis, male
infertility, pregnancy
complications, cataracts, damage from many pharmaceutical
drugs, cancer and poor survival
rates for patients with AIDS.
High
levels of glutathione appear to protect against the dangers of
cancer, heart disease, premature aging, autoimmune diseases, and
chronic illnesses.
To
learn more about this essential molecule and why it is important
for our body to maintain optimal levels of it, subscribe to our
newsletter - The
Glutathione Report.
You'll
receive updates on the latest news and medical research on glutathione
and get a free report on Glutathione and Health.
What
the Experts are saying about Glutathione
•
"Glutathione is a substance, the levels of which in
our cells are predictive of how long we will live. There are very
few other factors which are as predictive of our life expectancy
as is our level of cellular glutathione. Glutathione has been
called the "master antioxidant", and regulates the actions of
lesser antioxidants such as vitamin C, and vitamin E within the
body. "We literally cannot survive without this antioxidant."
Earl Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D, in What You Should Know about the
Super Antioxidant Miracle
•
"Without glutathione, other important antioxidants
such as vitamins C and E cannot do their job adequately to protect
your body against disease."Allan Somersall, Ph.D., M.D.,
and Gustavo Bounous, M.D. FRCS(C) in Breakthrough
in Cell Defense
•
"No other antioxidant is as important to overall health as
glutathione. It is the regulator and regenerator of immune cells
and the most valuable detoxifying agent in the human body. Low
levels are associated with hepatic dysfunction, immune dysfunction,
cardiac disease, premature aging, and death." Lorna R. Vanderhaeghe
& Patrick J.D. Bouic, Ph.D.in The Immune System Cure
•
"If there is one survival tool every HIV(+) person should
consider it is taking dietary supplements that increase glutathione
production." - Michael Mooney, Author of Built
to Survive: A Comprehensive Guide to the Medical Use of Anabolic
Steroids, Nutrition and Exercise for HIV (+) men and women
•
"Raising glutathione levels is a good thing, no matter how
you do it. There are several theories about how to do this and
all are slightly different. Some believe that NAC will do it,
it certainly has the right chemical structure. Others think that
only bioavailable glutathione is the way to go.... However you
elevate your glutathione levels, it is a good thing to do!"
- Douglas T. Dieterich, M.D. in a response to a patient query
at a forum on TheBody.com,
an AIDS and HIV Information Resource.
•
One reason why it is so important to maintain high levels
of glutathione is that it is crucial for the detoxification of
carcinogens. Packer states that most people do not inherit "cancer
genes"; rather, they have a genetic weakness in their detoxification
system. Glutathione is an extremely important part of the detoxification
system, and thus of our defenses against cancer. Interestingly,
whey protein has also been found to raise glutathione levels.
Glutathione may also be one of the
most important keys to longevity. Centenarians have been found
to have higher levels of glutathione than would be expected for
their age. Boosting one's glutathione levels ...should
be one of the first items on anyone's anti-aging
agenda. - Ivy Greenwell in The
Antioxidant Network, A brief review of "The Antioxidant
Miracle," by Lester Packer, PhD and Carol Colman
•
"As Dr. Lombard points out in his book, "The Brain Wellness
Plan"...the brain’s high fat content renders it especially
vulnerable to free radicals, so that the body has defined specific
ways to protect brain cell fatty acids through special antioxidants....
Glutathione is one of
the most powerful antioxidants in the body. Depressed glutathione
levels are associated with the increased generation of free radicals
found in Parkinson’s patients, for example, and contributes to
further brain cell death. Oral glutathione does not seem to be
effective, but supplementing with n-acetyl-cysteine NAC, along
with selenium and lipoic acid ..... stimulates the body’s cells
to increase natural glutathione production." Excerpts
from the Willner Window Radio Show: Program aired on 5-3-98
• A deficiency of glutathione can cause
hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells, leading to anemia)
and oxidative stress. Glutathione is essential in intermediary
metabolism as a donor of sulfhydryl groups which are essential
for the detoxification of acetaminophen. [PDR Medical Dictionary.
Spraycar. 1999] Selenium is a structural component of, and
a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase.
•
"(Glutathione peroxidases) break down hydrogen peroxide and
any peroxides which form on fats and oils within the body. The
selenium contained in the enzymes acts as the reactive centre,
carrying reactive electrons from the peroxide to the glutathione.
It is the glutathione that is the antioxidant in the reaction,
not the selenium as many health food companies would lead us to
believe. Selenium by itself is a potent oxidant which can be very
toxic if to much is taken." - Dr Steven Gieseg in
Reducing Free Radicals - A Dietary Revolution,
New Zealand Science Monthy, (1999) July, 6-8.
