The King of All Antioxidants!

We have all heard about antioxidants. Yet did you know there is a true king among them? It is a "secret" compound that can help prevent cancer, cardiovascular disease, aging, neurological disorders, and much more. Numerous studies have examined this antioxidant, yet most of us, including many physicians, have never heard of it and are unsure how to address the epidemic caused by its deficiency in the human body.

To end the suspense, it is glutathione. It is a powerful detoxifier and an activator of the immune system. Beyond that, this antioxidant is essential for a healthy life. Although the body produces its own glutathione, these reserves are depleted by poor quality food, polluted air and environments, stress, infections, and various forms of radiation. All of this and more lowers the concentration of this compound in our bodies.

What is glutathione?

Glutathione is a simple molecule that our bodies continuously produce on their own. It is a combination of three amino acids, cysteine, glycine, and glutamine. In other words, it is a tripeptide.
What makes this molecule even more important is the sulfur group in its structure, which acts like a trap for harmful substances such as free radicals, toxins including mercury, and heavy metals, and it helps remove them from the body. This matters greatly, because we live in a world constantly bombarded by heavy metals.

Where can you obtain glutathione?

Our bodies make it, yet not in amounts that match the stressful conditions around us. The good news is that certain foods contain glutathione, and some provide precursors that help the body produce more of it.

The following foods are especially helpful:

Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage and leafy greens
Cauliflower
Avocado
Peach
Watermelon
Cinnamon
Cardamom
Turmeric
Tomato
Peas
Garlic
Onion
Red bell pepper

You may notice that many of these are vegetables we do not eat very often. That is another concern regarding modern diets. We frequently consume low quality foods, meat, milk and dairy products, and heavily processed items. Although it is well known and repeatedly proven that these choices contribute to cardiovascular disease and other disorders, we continue to consume them in large quantities. A straightforward solution is to reduce the intake of these harmful foods and increase the intake of fresh, vibrant vegetables that deliver the nutrients we need without exhausting our energy during digestion.

You can also raise glutathione through exercise. While you sweat and breathe more intensely, toxins are expelled from the body more easily.

Glutathione protects the body from chronic disease

The reason this molecule is so special lies in its ability to recycle antioxidants. When the body confronts free radicals, it can only transfer that burden from one molecule to another. The chain can move from vitamin C to vitamin E, then to lipoic acid, and finally to glutathione. At that stage antioxidants are recycled, enabling the body to regenerate a fresh glutathione molecule.

Glutathione is a key factor in the fight against chronic disease and a vital ally of the immune system. It acts as the body’s "bouncer" for toxins. A Venus flytrap analogy helps illustrate its action. Just as flies stick to the plant, toxins bind to glutathione. They are then carried into bile, from bile into the stool, and ultimately out of the body. Research has also shown that this molecule is strong enough to support treatment in people living with HIV. Our bodies will come into contact with oxidants and toxins, and the stronger our defenses, the more easily we can cope with them. This is why glutathione is so important for all of us.

How to increase glutathione levels:

Eat foods rich in sulfur: focus on garlic and onion, as well as broccoli, kale, collard greens, cabbage, cauliflower, and watercress.
Consider bioactive whey protein: it is a good source of cysteine and amino acids that are important for glutathione synthesis. Although I do not generally recommend milk and dairy products, this is an exception. It is essential to emphasize the following first. Whey protein MUST BE bioactive and composed of non denatured proteins. Denaturation is a process that disrupts the structure and natural properties of proteins under certain chemical or physical influences. Choose unpasteurized milk from non industrial sources that is free of pesticides, hormones, and antibiotics.
Use exercise to raise glutathione: support your immune system and enhance detoxification. Start slowly and work up to a maximum of thirty minutes a day of vigorous activity such as aerobic training, walking, running, or any sport you enjoy. Strength training for twenty minutes, three times a week, is also highly beneficial.

One might think it is easier to take a glutathione tablet. Keep in mind that the body will simply digest that molecule. During the production and recycling of glutathione, the body relies on other nutrients, which you can supplement instead. Below are the principal dietary supplements to take consistently in order to increase glutathione levels.

N acetylcysteine (NAC): this compound has been used for years to support people with asthma and lung disease, and to treat individuals with liver failure caused by acetaminophen overdose. It is also administered to help prevent kidney injury from contrast dyes used during X ray imaging.
Alpha lipoic acid (ALA): this is the next most important cellular molecule after glutathione. It is involved in energy production, blood sugar control, brain health, and detoxification. The body makes it, yet daily stress often depletes available amounts.
Folate and vitamins B6 and B12: these nutrients are crucial for the body to produce glutathione. Methylation along with the production and recycling of glutathione are among the most important biochemical functions in the body.
Selenium: this essential mineral helps the body recycle and produce more glutathione.
A full family of antioxidants, including vitamins C and E in mixed tocopherol form: they work together to recycle glutathione.
Milk thistle (silymarin): used for many years for liver health, it helps increase glutathione levels.