Can we help you find something? We're sorry, but we couldn't find the page you tried.One of the links below may help. Or you can visit WebMD's Home Page. To check possible conditions. First Aid & Emergencies Find out what to do in case of an emergency Create a plan, log your food & fitness, and track your way toDecreased Glutathione levels have been linked to a number of age-related diseases, including Alzheimer’s and macular degeneration. A 2004 study by the University of Alabama found that the red blood cells in male Alzheimer’s patients showed a significant lack of glutathione . A study of patients with heart disease found that the lower the levels of glutathione, the more likely they were to have a heart attack . Glutathione’s strong antioxidant properties make it suitable as a supplement particularly cases of disadvantageous cell growth such as cancer tumors and lipomas. Glutathione is not able to cure cancer, but several studies suggest that the growth of new cancer cells may be reduced.
Some doctors therefore recommend its supplementation to treat cancer, as it increases the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs and reduces their toxicity. Glutathione has also been used to treat Parkinson’s disease, sickle cell anaemia, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and poisoning, as it is able to detoxify the body of heavy metals such as mercury. Glutathione is able able to positively influence the quality of sperm in men. This effect is achieved by the lowering of blood pressure in cases of diabetic patients, decreasing oxidative stress on the sensitive sperm cells and therefore minimising damage to their DNA cargo. It is therefore recommended that couples, who are trying to conceive supplement various micro-nutrients. In particular, they should consume N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC), which is used in the body to produce L-glutathione. To effectively increase male fertility, the aspiring father should also look to consume other scientifically proven nutrients such as Arginine, Carnitine and Pine Bark Extract.
The most efficient and affordable to take a combination supplement with several proven male fertility micro-nutrients. These will positively affect sperm count, motility and morphology simultaneously. Glutathione has also been used to treat asthma and airway restriction when used as an inhalant. A 2010 study by the University of Utrecht found that it prevents early asthmatic reaction and airway hyper-responsiveness. Psychiatric illnesses, including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and depression have been linked to low levels of glutathione as without its antioxidant abilities in the brain, oxidative stress can occurs there. It is generally advisable to build a high level of Glutathione in ones blood to protect the body from oxidation (damage to the tissue by free radicals). Oxidative stress plays significant roles in cancer, but also in Artherosclerosis, Arthritis and Cataract. Glutathione is the only intracellular antioxidant found, which means it acts inside the cells.
As such it is able to maintain their health and performance and resist disease by neutralising free radicals and keeping other antioxidants, including Vitamin C and E, in their active form. It also helps the liver to process toxins, helps with DNA and protein synthesis, and regulates both the nitric oxide cycle and the metabolism of iron. The levels of glutathione in patients with serious diseases such as AIDS and cancer have been found to be very low. Studies are on-going into the reasons for this, but many scientists believe there is a link between low glutathione levels and cell death. Several studies of centenarians (humans who have lived to be over 100 years old) in various countries, including Poland, Italy and Denmark, have found very high levels of glutathione in their cells. Most recommended for supplementation are combinations of the amino acids L-cysteine and L-glutamine, because oral consumption of L-glutathione is not conclusively researched. In order to maximise the oxidative effect, these amino acids should taken together with selenium, zink and magnesium.
Glutathione occurs naturally in many fresh vegetables, fruits and red meat (beef, mutton and lamb), and a healthy diet can help to maintain levels and make it possible for the body to continue to synthesise it. Particularly useful for this are vegetables that contain high amounts of sulphur, including cabbage, broccoli, garlic, kale and cauliflower. Many of the benefits are lost when food is cooked, however. Certain nutritional supplements, such as pine bark extract, alpha lipoic acid, milk thistle and grape extract can also increase glutathione levels. While there are many glutathione tablets and supplements on the market, a 1992 study by the University of Bern, Switzerland, found that oral administration of glutathione capsules does NOT raise glutathione levels Because it is a protein, a large amount of ingested glutathione is broken down by the gut and eliminated before reaching the cells. Glutathione is best absorbed by the body when given by intravenous infusion, which is often done in cases of severe disease.
This is of course impractical in everyday life. The most effective way to increase glutathione levels, along with eating a healthy diet and taking regular exercise, is to ingest a precursor. This contains the molecules needed to stimulate the body to produce glutathione, rather than the protein itself. One such micro-nutrient is N-Acetyl-Cysteine, also known as NAC. This has been used for many years to break up mucus in the lungs in patients suffering from cystic fibrosis, asthma and bronchitis, and is often used by HIV patients to boost their immune system. Unbonded L-cysteine, or free cysteine, is destroyed in the gut by enzymes and pepsins, but if the cysteine molecules are bonded, it will be absorbed into the bloodstream and enter cells. There it can bond with glycine and glutamate to make more glutathione. This bonded cysteine is also found in human breast milk, and can be replicated with raw cow’s milk in the form of undenatured whey protein. Large doses of NAC are often given in cases of acetaminophen (Tylenol) overdose to prevent liver failure.
Daily doses of 500mg or more of Vitamin C have also been found to increase production of glutathione. If not synthesised in the body L-glutathione is produced by fermentation, which is the industrial processing of plant based foods via enzymes. L-glutathione can be stored easily for up to five years in dry conditions, room temperature and protected from sunlight. While glutathione is a naturally occurring molecule that is found inside every cell of the body, levels decrease with age and low levels can cause many serious diseases. It is one of the most powerful antioxidants in the body as it is the only one that is intracellular. It has even been found to act as an antioxidant to other antioxidants as it has the ability to maximise the activity of Vitamin C, Vitamin E and CoQ10. While a healthy diet and lifestyle can help to slow the body’s decline, supplementing this with glutathione precursors can help to stimulate the body to produce more and thus maintain health and slow the aging process.