Oxidative Stress refers to effects from endogenous (produced in the body) toxins (free radicals) produced in the body by normal metabolism and exogenous toxins from the environment. Historically, oxidative stress was not as important because our environment was not as filled with toxins as it is today. Additionally, people ate what they grew, or what they "caught," or killed. Those foods were natural and healthy. Even the meats which were eaten were healthier because they contained less fat. Actually, men and women have taken antioxidants for centuries, but didn't know it. They called them "vegetables."
Remember the "antioxidant network?" This is a term applied to five antioxidants which work together to help protect the body against the effects of free radicals and aging.
They are:
* Vitamin C
* Vitamin E
* CoQ10
* Alpha Lipoic Acid
* Glutathione
Because of oxidative stress placed on our bodies by normal metabolism, bad habits, bad food and bad environmental conditions, all adults should be taking supplemental dosages of these antioxidants. As will be shown, Glutathione is the most difficult because it is questionable whether supplements of glutathione effectively increase glutathione blood levels. Therefore glutathione levels should be "boosted" in the body by taking the building blocks which raise glutathione levels. Some of those "building blocks" are the essential branched amino acids found in whey, cysteine, Vitamin C and N-acetylcysteine.
What is Glutathione?
Glutathione is a small protein composed of three amino acids: cysteine, glutamic acid and glycine. It is involved in detoxification of the liver and the body. Glutathione to toxins, such as heavy metals, solvents, and pesticides, and transforms them into a form that can be excreted in urine or bile.
Glutathione is also an important antioxidant, counteracting the effects of free radicals produced in the body by oxidation reactions. In preliminary research, dietary glutathione intake from fruit and raw vegetables has been associated with protection against some forms of cancer. Glutathione has also inhibited cancer in test tube and animal studies. In preliminary research, higher glutathione levels have also been associated with good health in older adults.
Dietary Glutathione
Where is it found? Dietary glutathione is found in:
* fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables,
* fish and meat.
* Asparagus,
* avocado and
* walnuts are particularly rich dietary sources of glutathione.
Glutathione can be taken in supplement form but may not be effective. The production of glutathione by the body can be boosted by taking supplemental:
* N-acetylcysteine or
* L-cysteine plus
* L-methionine.
Studies suggest that this may be a better way or raising glutathione levels than taking glutathione itself.
Glutathione's Defense of the Body
Glutathione helps to defend the body against damage from:
* cigarette smoking -- see below for the dramatic and frightening result of a single puff of smoke from a cigarette
* exposure to radiation
* cancer chemotherapy
* toxins such as alcohol
* As a detoxifier of heavy metals and drugs, it aids in the treatment of blood and liver disorders
* Glutathione protects cells in several ways:
* Neutralizes oxygen molecules before they can harm cells.
* With selenium, it forms the enzyme glutathione peroxidase, which neutralizes hydrogen peroxide -- one of the most aggressive and harmful free radicals produced by the oxidation reaction in cells.
* as a component of another antioxidant enzyme, glutathione S-transferase, which is a broad-spectrum liver-detoxifying enzyme.
* Glutathione also protects individual cells and the tissues of the arteries, brain, heart, immune cells, kidneys, lenses of the eyes, liver, lungs, and skin against oxidant damage.
Glutathione also:
* Plays a role in preventing cancer, especially liver cancer.
* May have an anti-aging effect.
Increasing Glutathione Levels in the Body
If glutathione is manufactured within the body, what can we do to maintain or increase Glutathione levels? Some pharmaceutical drugs can do it, and so can some natural sources. Eating glutathione cannot. There are many ideas about how to raise Glutathione levels in the body but only a few actually work --- and some of them have side effects.
The following "co-factors" are important to the production and/or function of Glutathione:
* Vitamin B-1
* Vitamin B-2
* Vitamin B-6
* Vitamin B-12
* Vitamin C
* Vitamin E
* Folic Acid
* Selenium
* Magnesium
* Vanadium
* Zinc
Many of these are antioxidants in their own right. The key ingredient to the increasing of Glutathione levels in the body is a nutritional source of cysteine in a form which can be used by the body. It must be in a form that can survive the trip from our mouths to our cells. Unfortunately, merely eating either Glutathione or the free amino acid cysteine does not give the cell what it needs to manufacture Glutathione.
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) is commonly used in critical care medicine, toxicology, and pulmonary medicine. It has been the most researched of the GSH-promoting modalities, and newer clinical applications are being developed all the time.
Many natural products exert some of their positive effects by supporting or directly raising Glutathione levels. Undenatured whey proteins are an exciting development. A whey protein isolate, Immunocal, has recently been patented to augment Glutathione levels and enhance immune function.
Recommendation:
Supplements are medicines and should not be taken carelessly. Before beginning any serious program of supplements, you should discuss your plans with your healthcare provider. If he/she is unfamiliar with supplements and their benefits and cautions, consult a healthcare provider who is. Once you have your healthcare providers advice, being the following:
1. Vitamin C -- at least 1000 mg a day
2. CoQ10 -- at least 100 mg a day and up to 400 mg a day if you are diabetic or have heart disease.
3. Alpha Lipoic Acid (in the R-form) -- at least 200 mg a day and up to 400-600 mg a day if you have a diabetic neuropathy.
4. Vitamin E - 400 IU daily
5. Glutathione -- Add at least 1000 mg of NAC to your diet, and at least one scoop of a high quality whey to your diet each day and 1000 mg of Methionine daily.
At present Glutathione supplements do not appear to be effective, but taking the precursors of Glutathione increases your body's production of Glutathione.
Glutathione Side Effects
The glutathione side effects vary from 'no known side effects' and zero side effects to many side effects depending on your sources of glutathione.
Foods high in Glutathione have ZERO side effects...however ineffective in raising your GSH levels beyond 40%. Read more: Foods high in Glutathione
Glutathione supplements or glutathione pills have zero side effects to very rare side effects that may include skin hives, rashes, and itchy or swollen skin. Even more rarely are side effects of breathing problems or tightness in your throat or chest and even chest pain. Read more: Glutathione supplements
Intravenous glutathione or glutathione injections has zero short term side effects (other than the pain of being poked by a needle) but may possibly have long term side effects of increasing your chances of developing skin cancer and other skin disorders due to the synthethic glutathione found in glutathione injections/glutathione IV's. The synthetic glutathione inhibits your body's protection of melanin synthesis. Read more: Intravenous glutathione
Intravenous Glutathione
