Glutathione is an essential component of your cells.
With low glutathione levels, cells not able to perform many of their functions properly.
Glutathione helps antioxidants and other nutrients perform their jobs well.
Without glutathione, any quantity or nutrition supplements will not do any good to us. In addition, because our immune system depends on this material, this caused us to fall sick easily.
Furthermore, these antioxidants (glutathione) helps the body get rid of toxins.
This is important, because most of us are exposed to hazardous chemicals every day. In fact, a study conducted by Cornell University found that over 60% of the world's population is exposed to air pollution, and the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health recently found that almost 900 chemicals used in cosmetics and skin care products are toxic.
Glutathione is body's own 'AIDE'.
A - Antioxidant,
I - Immune Booster,
D - Detoxifier and
E - Energiser.
Glutathione is a small protein, produced naturally in the body, maintains these three crucial protective function as shown above. In fact, your life are depends to them.
WITHOUT Glutathione;
- Your cells would disintegrate from unrestrained oxidation,
- Your body would have little resistance to bacteria, viruses and cancer, and
- Your heart will stop functioning from the accumulation of toxins.
Glutathione works in dozens of other tasks in the metabolism of our body, but the main functions can be summarized in four areas:
Glutathione - "MASTER" Antioxidant
Advances in the study of antioxidants have grown to the point that a whole new branch of medicine has developed called "free Radical Biology" which focuses on oxidation/ antioxidant balance.
Scientists have described several hundred different disease processes where antioxidants play an important role.
On the shelves of shops selling natural foods (organic) and pharmacies are resplendent with a large array of different antioxidants offered. However, these antioxidants, including vitamin C and vitamin E are "natural" vitamins with other antioxidants, are not natural for your body. If you do not ingest these vitamins, they will not be found in your cells naturally (the body does not produce this vitamin).
Given the importance of antioxidants in hundreds of different disease processes, one question will arise - "What Antioxidants are produced by the body to avoid this desease processes?"
Glutathione is an antioxidant that is most produced in the body. In fact, the presence of this small protein is crucial for any other antioxidants to work.
Glutathione - "FUEL" FOR THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
Our immune system depends on a steady supply of glutathione. Without it, our immune defences become weaker.
Our immune system is constantly wandering around looking for pathogens and foreign antigens causing cellular damage, toxicity and disease.
These antigens include viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi and also precancerous cells. To neutralize pathogens, our body require an easy availability supply of glutathione. If this is not enough, part of the 'invaders' will be able to penetrate, to infect the body and / or contributing to aging, in the long term with increasing damage - even eventually cause cancer.
We can not avoid illness and aging altogether - although there are scientists who are pursuing some age old dreams - BUT, to maintain a good level of intracellular glutathione we can ensure our immune system in a state of readiness all the time.
"The limiting factor for the proper activity and multiplication of our lymphocytes (white blood cells) is the availability of glutathione"
Dr. Bounous's research at McGill University have produced a supplement called "Immunocal" which can raise glutathione levels.
Glutathione - TOXIC WASTE DISPOSAL SYSTEM
Hundreds of toxins are eliminated by the GSH enzyme system (glutathione), including metabolites, drugs, pollution, carcinogens (cancer causing) and damage caused by radiation.
The highest level of GSH is in the liver - the liver is the body's major organ for detoxification.
We inhale and ingest natural and synthetic toxins every day of our lives and can not possibly be avoided, especially at this time of our technology,crowded cities and filled with pollution and bio-engineered food supplies.
Studies have shown that low glutathione levels leads to weak function of the liver and kidney, hence results in unnecessarily large quantities of toxins, circulating throughout the body.
There, they continue to damage individual cells and organs. The list of toxins eliminated include cigarette smoke, automobile exhaust and heavy metals.
Glutathione - ENERGY RESOURCES OUR BODY
Glutathione also plays a very important role in mitochondrial energy production.
Therefore it is necessary for the proper use of oxygen, muscle strength, and has been found helpful in many circumstances berdefisit energy such as chronic fatigue syndrome, and neurodegenerative conditions, especially Parkinson's disease.
When our cells produce energy, there is oxidative damage to cells and it plays a dual role, namely by allowing better energy production and cellular detoxification effective for optimal cell health.
Glutathione - SHORTAGE
Although Glutathione is produced naturally in the body, levels begin to decline at the age of about two decades. From that point, its level decreased by 8% to 12% per decade. At the time a person aged 50, his level is only at 60% to 70% from teenagers.
There is a constant demand by the body for glutathione in our daily lives; stress, pollution and infectious diseases are among the reasons for reduced glutathione.
For those who exercise regularly, glutathione is especially important to improve recovery, to prevent injury, reduce recovery time and maintain a strong immune system.
Since it is almost impossible to avoid these things with our modern lifestyle, most people do not have enough glutathione in the body.
GLUTATHIONE IN PROTECTING THE INTERESTS OF CHRONIC DISEASE
Most diseases clearly shows a lack of glutathione levels.
Glutathione deficiency apparent in:
AIDS and cancer involve muscle loss,
chemical and infectious hepatitis,
radiation poisoning,
malnutrition,
intense physical stress, and
acetaminophen toxicity and others.
Many other problems including cardiovascular disorders, lung, digestive and kidney associated with glutathione deficiency and mentioned in various medical referrals.
If you are sick or old or just not in your best, you may have a deficiency of glutathione. In fact, the British medical journal, Lancet, found that glutathione levels are highest in a healthy children, lower levels in healthy elderly, and the least in the elderly who are hospitalized.
