The Importance of Glutathione

Glutathoine is a naturally occurring antioxidant found in plants, animals, fungi, and certain types of bacteria. In the body, glutathione has a fairly high concentrations in most cells - the same as glucose and potassium (Pizzorno, 2014). A high level of metabolic activity is required to produce glutathione in the body, suggesting that less active individuals can benefit from glutathione supplementation.

The Importance of Glutathione

Glutathione plays a key role in the body. As an antioxidant, it helps protect against free radicals, serves as a co-factor for several antioxidant enzymes, is important in the regeneration of Vitamins C & E, and is essential to proper mitochondrial function (Pizzorno, 2014). Free radicals are molecules that the body naturally produces when breaking down food. In high concentrations, free radicals can cause significant cell damage, referred to as oxidative stress. Oxidative stress has been linked to cardiovascular disease, inflammatory diseases, cataracts, and cancer (Zakeri et al., 2021). Low natural levels of glutathione are associated with chronic exposure to chemical toxins, alcohol use, macular degeneration, Parkinson’s disease, and other neurodegenerative disorders.

Supplements

For individuals with low glutathione levels, we typically recommend WiseMED’s Optimized Glutathione. This producted contains an acetylated form of glutathione. This form is more well-absorbed and more stable throughout the digestive tract than other forms of glutathione that are available over the counter.

Reference

Pizzorno J. (2014). Glutathione!. Integrative medicine (Encinitas, Calif.), 13(1), 8–12.

Zakeri, N., kelishadi, M. R., Asbaghi, O., Naeini, F., Afsharfar, M., Mirzadeh, E., & Naserizadeh, S. kasra. (2021). Selenium supplementation and oxidative stress: A Review. PharmaNutrition, 17, 100263. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phanu.2021.100263