What the Heck is Glutathione?

by Glen Depke

Really, what the heck is glutathione?

I know you have all heard that a picture is worth one thousand words, so all you have to do is look at the pictue to the right here and you will see what glutathione really is. Let me guess, this did you know good whatsoever? I get that seeing the element formula for glutathione does most no good at all.

So what would help?

Maybe a definition? OK, here you go. Glutathione is a sulfur containing, water soluble endogneous tripeptide composed of 3 amino acids. I get it, still no help.

Instead of looking at the elements or getting into a scientific definition, let's look at this simply. Glutathione is a primary anti-oxidant that is produced in your body that actually enhances the benefit of every other anti-oxidant. In my practice I focus on glutathione levels to significantly improve auto-immune issues, inflammatory challenges, gut barrier breakdown, blood/brain barrier breakdown, chronic pain and so much more. Understand that this ties into so much more. Beside for my focus in my clinic, here is a list of  function that depend on adequate glutathione levels.

• Anti-aging
• Cardiovascular health
• Cell regeneration
• Digestive issues
• Kidney function
• Eyes/vision
• Prevent cataracts
• Recovery of eye surgery
• Protects hair follicles
• Immune system
• Metabolism
• Nervous system function
• Alzheimer's
• Depression
• Parkinson's
• Schizophrenia
• Enhances absorption of essential minerals
• Natural detoxifier
• Protection against damages due to aspirin and NSAIDs
• Protection against the damage due to alcohol consumption
• Protection against the toxic effects of smoking

With this said, I trust that you understand the importance of adequate glutathione levels in your body.

Let's now discuss what inhibits the production of glutathione. First of all cooking destroys all glutathione levels in your foods and it is also important to understand that glutathione is basically unavailable bio-chemically as a supplement.

Here is a list of substances that interfere with glutathione.

• Cadmium deficiency 
• Excessive copper and iron
• Hydrogen peroxide destroys glutathione
• Excessive consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids
• Helicobacter pylori
• Mercury toxicity
• Aspirin and NSAID use
• Excessive sun exposure
• Intense exercise or endurance exercise
• Alcohol consumption
• Severe stress

So what is a person to do? Glutathione is so important, much of what we do in life depletes our bodies ability to produce glutathione and it is so poorly absorbed as a supplement. My recommendation is to increase the nutrients needed to produce glutathione which is N-acetyl cysteine and L-glutamine. There are also other ingredients that enhance this production. I also recommend using a cream for vascular absorption of glutathione. I find that the combination of increasing the underlying nutritional components as well as the vascular cream goes a long way in substantially increasing your glutathione levels.

Feel free to leave a post below if you have any comments or questions on this subject or you can call my office directly at 949.954.6226.