Glutathione

Every time I get a chelation or vitamin C IV cancer treatment, I also have to "push my glute" (a large syringe of glutathione that I have to push into the IV on my own).  The first time my kids heard me say "push my glute", they thought "glute" was short for gluteus maximus--the large muscle in our rear ends--and they couldn't figure out why in the world I would have to push myself in the butt.  We got a good laugh out of that after I explained about the glutathione!  I also have a glutathione supplement that I take--it can be ordered online.  So what is glutathione, and why is it important?

 

Glutathione is produced naturally in the body, and is a simple molecule made up of three proteins, or amino acids:  cysteine, glycine, and glutamine.  Although it is simple, glutathione is extremely important.  It supports the immune system, helps prevent and treat cancer, controls inflammation, removes free radicals and heavy metals, and recycles antioxidants to be re-used.  Not only does glutathione protect the cells, it's also important for efficient energy metabolism.  It decreases muscle damage, reduces recovery time, increases strength and endurance, and shifts metabolism from fat production to muscle development.

 

Although glutathione is produced naturally, production decreases with age and with the presence of toxins.  Glutathione is normally recycled, but if the toxin burden in the body becomes too high, glutathione becomes depleted and is no longer able to protect against disease nor eliminate toxins, which then leads to a downward spiral of chronic illness.  Virtually all patients with chronic fatigue syndrome, heart disease, cancer, chronic infections, autoimmune disease, diabetes, autism, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, arthritis, asthma, kidney problems, liver disease, and more are found to be deficient in glutathione.

 

Glutathione is called the "Master Antioxidant" because after it fills up with free radicals, it regenerates itself in the liver and is then able to go back to work and scoop up more free radicals.  Free radicals are formed by normal cellular metabolic oxidation and toxic overload and can cause cancers, autoimmune disorders, and heart attacks.

 

Glutathione is also essential for maintaining healthy mitochondria in cells.  When the mitochondria of a cell malfunctions, it can lead to mutations that cause the cell to become cancerous.

 

Natural health author Paul Fassa wrote:

“Glutathione is critical for one simple reason: It recycles antioxidants. You see, dealing with free radicals is like handing off a hot potato. They get passed around from vitamin C to vitamin E to lipoic acid and then finally to glutathione which cools off the free radicals and recycles other antioxidants. After this happens, the body can “reduce” or regenerate another protective glutathione molecule and we are back in business.”

 

Glutathione's super power may be the sulfur (SH) chemical groups it contains. Sulfur is a sticky, smelly molecule which acts to grab and help eliminate all the bad things in the body. Its stickiness allows it to capture damaging free radicals and toxins like mercury and other heavy metals.  Sulfur-rich foods include garlic, onions, and cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, kale, collards, cabbage, cauliflower, watercress).

 

Selenium helps the body recycle and produce more glutathione.  The family of antioxidants which includes vitamins C and E (in the form of mixed tocopherols) work together to recycle glutathione.  Milk thistle helps increase glutathione levels and is famed for its ability to cleanse, protect, and regenerate the liver.

 

Exercise also boosts glutathione levels as well as boosting your immune system, improving detoxification, and enhancing your body’s own antioxidant defenses.

 

The subject of glutathione reinforces the importance of a healthy diet, proper exercise, and elimination of as many known toxins as possible.

 

This information was taken from an article by Tony Isaacs at The Truth About Cancer.