Toxicity induced diseases are sky-rocketing as more of us are being exposed to man-made environmental chemicals.
Heavy metals in food and cosmetics, along with cleaning products full of chemicals like benzene and chlorine create a heavy toxic burden in the body.
Thankfully, there is a substance known as Glutathione that acts as a natural antioxidant in the body. It is essential for warding off disease and even slowing down the aging process. When the body has a deficiency, this can increase the risk of disease.
There is no other substance within the body that can detoxify and protect cells more than glutathione. When it’s in its natural and enzymatic state, in the form of glutathione reductase, this is when it can be used by every cell of the body to preserve them in their undamaged (redox) condition.
Glutathione can protect DNA from cell damage, resulting in the protection of the body against harmful free radicals, reduced oxidative stress, decreased inflammation and prevention of heart disease. It also provides protective benefits against cancer and neurological decline. Healthy cell mitochondria promote energy production, while glutathione provides many anti-aging effects.
This nutrient is in greatest concentrations within the detoxifying organs like the kidneys and liver. In fact, detoxification without this nutrient would be practically impossible.
Glutathione Promotes All Three Detoxification Stages
The detoxification process happens in three separate stages and this nutrient enhances all three. The first phase is toxin modification where toxins are identified and changed through oxidation and reduction reactions and forms that the body can easily attack.
The second stage is where the modified toxin is conjugated and its active metabolites are bound to glutathione. Other antioxidants in the body can bind toxins but this nutrient is the primary participant. This second phase is known as “glutathione conjugation”. This binds toxic metabolites from spreading into and across the membranes, helping to confine them.
In the third phase, excretion of enzymatic derivatives of glutathione – S-metabolites, work to cause the metabolism and the final excretion of toxins.
Glutathione Decreases With Age
Glutathione is produced within the liver from three different types of amino acids. It is depleted due to stress, having a sedentary lifestyle and poor nutrition. Taking prescription medications can also deplete the body’s energy stores.
Young people have a strong supply of glutathione but these levels deplete in older individuals. Being exposed to toxins also threatens glutathione levels and this means that toxins deplete the exact substance that the body needs the most to neutralise them.
How To Get More Glutathione Into The Body
Eating dark green cruciferous vegetables is one of the best ways to boost the body’s glutathione production. Consuming healthy amounts of the amino acids – essential building blocks known as L-Cysteine, L-Glutamic Acid and Glycine. They also make sure you get enough of the nutrients needed for glutathione synthesis including Vitamins B2, B6 and the mineral selenium.
You can enhance your levels of glutathione production by eating healthy quantities of avocado, parsley, garlic, onion and cruciferous vegetables like Brussels sprouts, cabbage, broccoli and kale. Choosing certified organic produce can help you to minimise the exposure to toxins.
NAC Can Raise Glutathione Levels
One of the most effective means of raising your glutathione production is with N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC). High dosages of NAC are used by detox patients and those who have ingested poisons. Some researchers have theorised that low doses can block age-related loss of glutathione.
Older cells lose glutathione more quickly under stress and have been found to die twice as rapidly when compared with the cells in older test subjects. Researchers have found that pretreatment with NAC raised glutathione levels within older cells and this helped with reducing cell death.
Following a really healthy lifestyle, drinking purified water, minimising your exposure to glutathione destroying toxins and exposure to heavy metals are all good ways to preserve your health. You may also want to consider stress-reducing techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, biofeedback, yoga or tai chi. One of the best ways to get Glutathione into the body is to take a super-absorbable mouth spray, see below.
Recommended Examples
ACS Glutathione – ACG Glutathione® Extra Strength from Results RNA also contains Alpha Lipoic Acid, Milk Thistle and more, to help naturally support GSH absorption and action. Aims To Increase Intracellular Glutathione By Over 10% In 7 Hours. Sub Mucosal Absorption For Instant Bioavailability. Recommended By Leading Practitioners Worldwide. Available from Good Health Naturally.
