Glutathione: The Tri-Peptide Antioxidant Powerhouse
Glutathione -- the beautifully potent antioxidant, made of three amino acids - cystine, glycine and glutamate -- is steadily gaining its place on the health optimization stage… but perhaps not as center stage as it should be yet. Here’s why it should earn its rightful place on every integrative practitioner’s health radar… It offers support to a variety of actions in the body, including:
Protein folding
Regeneration of Vitamins C and E
Detoxification of bodily and exogenous compounds, including heavy metals, alcohol and pollutants
Coaching of proper cellular proliferation and apoptosis
Combating infectious agents, including viruses
Maintaining mitochondrial (the powerhouse of every cell!) function
This potent antioxidant is found in similar cellular concentrations to that of glucose, potassium and cholesterol. If this alone doesn’t make us reconsider its chief importance, it certainly should!
As the body ages, its ability to make many compounds including glutathione diminishes. A reduction in dietary intake of fruits and vegetables, especially during winter months when fresh produce is less available, also contributes to a reduction in endogenous glutathione production. Further, patients with diagnosed chronic disease- including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, liver disease and cancer, among others, tend towards having lower levels due to increased oxidative stress and inflammation ---of which glutathione is required to quench. Smokers and men also tend to have lower glutathione levels, too. Collectively, this makes up a large portion of the population potentially deficient and in need of support.
According to the National Cancer Institute, oxidative stress in the body occurs when the balance of free radicals and antioxidants tilts in favor of free radicals, resulting in cellular damage. When free radicals are able to run amok, poor health and illnesses, including cancer, autoimmunity, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative dysfunction are more likely to occur.
A recent study also pointed towards patients with lowered glutathione levels being correlated to more severe illness from COVID-19. The study highlights many compelling points surrounding the immune system and glutathione’s major role in optimizing whole health. This is yet another valuable reason to consider the application of this powerhouse nutrient.
So how do we encourage increased levels in the body?? In the integrative medical world, we fully honor the notion that food is the best medicine. Food sources of glutathione include: broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, asparagus, brussel sprouts, avocados, peppers, spinach, carrots, potatoes, and melon. Meat and dairy products also contain glutathione. Its important to ensure that foods consumed are organic, hormone and pesticide free because if foods are of the toxic, conventionally-grown variety, we’re negating the potential beneficial effects of ingesting otherwise beautiful antioxidants, including glutathione.
If deficiencies remain after adhering to a wholesome diet, oral (via soft gel caps and liquid) or intravenous supplementation are great options for repletion… however formulation matters. Similar to how particular we are in selecting clean foods, we need to be just as careful about the formulation of glutathione. Wellness Pharmacy has designed a proprietary liposomal blend, Essential PRO Liposomal Glutathione, with specialized liposomes that enhance absorption and bioavailability in the body. It provides a better solution to replenishing the body’s master antioxidant. We’re also fans of Seeking Health’s Optimal Glutathione, which can be found in our Wellevate Dispensary.
So here’s to glutathione and its extraordinary benefits within the human body. If you’re looking to pack a punch against aging, inflammation, immune up-regulation or overall health, it’s certainly worth considering.
References:
Endogenous Deficiency of Glutathione as the Most Likely Cause of Serious Manifestations and Death in COVID-19 Patients Alexey Polonikov May 28 2020 ACS Infectious Diseases
Glutathione! Joseph Pizzorno Feb 2014 Integrative Medicine: A Clinician’s Journal
Free radicals, antioxidants and functional foods: Impact on human health V. Lobo, A. Patil, A. Phatak, and N. Chandra. Pharmacogn Rev. 2010 Jul-Dec; 4(8): 118–126.