Glutathione: The Master Antioxidant
How this mighty molecule helps repair the damage caused by living in the modern world
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Wouldn’t it be great if there was a nutritional “knight in shining armor” that could battle harmful free radicals, boost immunity, eliminate toxins, and repair the damage caused by living in the modern world? A growing number of studies show that glutathione can do all of these tasks and more. Yet this critical nutrient isn’t even on the radar for most Americans. What’s worse, many of us have woefully low levels-and that could be setting us up for a variety of future health problems.
The most powerful antioxidant made by the body, glutathione is a small molecule made up of three amino acids-cysteine, glycine, and glutamine-that’s found in every cell in the body. Under optimal circumstances, the body produces all of the glutathione it needs. But a poor diet, chronic illness, exposure to environmental toxins, and the use of some medications can deplete glutathione stores. Age is also a factor: glutathione levels start to head south around the age of 45 and decline quickly after age 60.
Boosts Immune Response
Glutathione is essential for strong immunity. Low levels are linked to diseases like cancer, heart disease, and even AIDS. Studies suggest that boosting levels of the nutrient can enhance the immune response by optimizing white blood cell function. Glutathione also protects other disease-fighting cells called lymphocytes from oxidative damage and premature cell death.
Neutralizes Toxins
Glutathione is found in particularly high amounts in the liver, kidneys, lungs, and digestive tract-areas that are most vulnerable to everyday toxins. Along with quenching the free radicals in the liver, glutathione also plays a critical role in the body’s two-step detoxification process. Glutathione also combines with pollutants like those in cigarette smoke and auto exhaust in the lungs so they can be safely excreted. In the digestive tract, it neutralizes toxins before they can be absorbed.
Fights Photoaging
Emerging research suggests that glutathione can help you look younger by reducing wrinkles and photoaging.
One recent study involved 60 people given a drink with 104.5 mg of glutathione or a placebo every day for four weeks. At the end, those taking glutathione saw a marked improvement in the number and severity of their wrinkles. The researchers also found improved dermal blood circulation-a sign that the skin was receiving better blood flow and more nutrients.
Go Shopping!
nutricology antiox contains glutathione as well as a range of other nutrients, including vitamins A and C, folic acid, vitamin B12, zinc, selenium, copper, and CoQ10. It’s also cysteine-free.
Bluebonnet nutrition l-glutathione provides pharmaceutical-grade L-glutathione in its purest crystalline form. The supplement comes in easy-to-swallow vegetable capsules for maximum absorption.
life extension glutathione, cysteine, & C effectively synthesizes glutathione with cysteine, while vitamin C keeps glutathione in its reduced form so that it can continue to provide free radical-quenching effects.