Glutathione

Latest Edit: Hector 2014-03-17 (EDT)

See Also	Food Supplements

Glutathione is a major antioxidant present in the lung tissue and other body tissues. It contains three amino acids linked together: Glutamate, cysteine and glycine. It is produced by the body when the needed building blocks and cofactors are present. The level of glutathione in the body is often associated with a person's overall health status. That is, the healthy you are the higher the levels. Glutathione functions in the scavenging and inactivating of hydrogen and lipid peroxides, thereby protecting the body against oxidative stress.

Article	The Health Dividend of Glutathione, NMJ, [1], 2012 January

Food sources

• Glutathione(GSH) is not found directly in foods, yet by eating foods that are rich in cysteine, a sulphur-containing amino acid you can assist the body in increasing glutathione(GSH) levels, including: avocado, asparagus, broccoli, raw eggs, garlic (Allium sativum) and onions, spinach, tomatoes and fresh unprocessed meats.

• Foods high in alpha lipoic acid can also boost glutathione levels. Food sources of ALA include spinach, broccoli, tomatoes, peas, brussels sprouts, and rice bran.

• Foods high in selenium can help with the production of glutathione as it is an important co-factor for the enzyme form of glutathione. Foods high in selenium include cereals, oats, Brazil nuts, walnuts, legumes, tuna, beef, poultry, cheese, eggs.

• The following herbs and spices assist the body in the production of glutathione: Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum), Turmeric (Curcuma longa), Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) and Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum)

Uses

Glutathione has been used to treat a number of conditions including:

General Uses

• age-related macular degeneration.
• cataracts and glaucoma
• preventing aging
• alcoholism
• asthma
• cancer
• heart disease
• atherosclerosis
• high cholesterol
• hepatitis
• liver disease
• heavy metal detoxification
• weakened immune system
• chronic fatigue syndrome
• memory loss
• Alzheimer’s disease
• osteoarthritis
• Parkinson’s disease
• drug poisoning.

Glutathione Inhalation may benefit:

Article	Nebulised Glutathione for the Management of Pulmonary Conditions: Truth or Myth?, Vital Link; 2007 Fall

• lung diseases
• chronic rhinitis
• COPD
• cystic fibrosis

IV Glutathione:

• IV administration is used to reduce the side effects of several chemotherapeutic drugs.

Prescribing considerations

The body needs a adequate supply of the necessary building blocks in order to produce glutathione.

• Glutathione is not absorbed orally. Supplementation with glutathione is typically done by supplying the body with a number of the critical building blocks.

• Glutathione can be absorbed directly through inhalation or through intravenous administration.

Safety

Glutathione is generally considered safe.