What is Glutathione?

Glutathione (GSH) is a tripeptide made up of Glutamine, Glycine, and Cysteine and is the body’s most potent endogenous antioxidant. Glutathione plays a central role in resistance to oxidative stress, functioning as an intracellular antioxidant, as well as a detoxifying agent for many xenobiotics.

Low levels:

Low Glutathione contributes to oxidative stress and is thus a risk factor for many chronic diseases.

Low Glutathione is associated with:

• Reduced antioxidant capacity, increased risk of oxidative damage and chronic illness
• Reduced ability to detoxify environmental toxins & metabolic byproducts
• Compromised gut lining, altered immunity, & reduced exercise endurance
• Reduced SAMe synthesis & methylation

Treatment Options to increase Glutathione:

Dietary adjustments:

Increase: diet protein, fresh fruits & vegetables

Supplementation considerations:

• Digestion support
• Glutathione and/or its building blocks & cofactors
• L-methionine
• NAC
• L-glutamine
• Glycine, serine
• Mg
• B2, B6
• B12, folic acid

Additional supportive nutrients:

• Vitamins C & E,
• Plant-based anti-oxidants
• Pantothenic acid (B5)
• Selenium & Zn
• Bioflavonoids

Prevent GSH depletion:

Avoid high-fat diets, cigarette smoke, infection or inflammation, toxic exposure; consider Vitamins C & E, alpha lipoic acid, milk thistle, taurine, ginkgo biloba, curcumin.

Further Evaluation:

• Nutritional: Amino Acid Analysis, ONE, or NutrEval
• Gastrointestinal: CDSA 2.0, Celiac Profile

High levels:

Higher Glutathione is associated with:

• Efficient GSH synthesis
• Supplementation with GSH or its precursors
  • L-cysteine or
  • N-acetylcysteine (NAC),
  • Glycine,
  • L-glutamine)

Disclaimer:

The information on healthmatters.io is NOT intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice.