Number One Anitoxidant and How do I get more?

Glutathione Benefits

Seems like these days everyone is scrambling to get the latest and greatest antioxidant, “magic pill”, cream, or gadget that promises to give us more energy, shed unwanted pounds, erase wrinkles, heal our blues, sharpen our memory and protect us from disease….that  “fountain of youth” Holy Grail. Sadly enough, with 133 million Americans suffering from chronic disease, it seems as though we may be coming up short here.

However, what if I was to tell you that such a thing does exist!   And, that this amazing antioxidant can live up to all those promises and more. Oh wait it gets even better than that…..it’s totally free and already exists in your own body!!! What? What is it and why hasn’t Doctor told me about this? Exactly!!

Yes, that’s right, it’s called Glutathione…….your body’s number one most amazing antioxidant!

The power of this “Mother” of all antioxidants is one of the hottest topics these days on the radar of many Functional Medicine and Holistic Health Practitioners.  There have been well over 76,000 peer-reviewed articles published on this natural powerhouse hallmarking its ability to energize, heal, beautify, detoxify, and prevent disease.

What is Glutathione?

Simply put, Glutathione is a tripeptide protein made of 3 amino acids, cysteine, glutamine, and glycine. This small but mighty protein acts as your body’s frontline defense and is one of the most powerful compounds in the human body that protects us from free radicals that cause cell damage and chronic inflammation often at the root of premature aging and many chronic diseases.

Why are so many of us deficient in Glutathione?

We are too busy and we are full of toxins. Nearly every day, our bodies are asked to deal with thousands of chemicals through the air we breathe, the water we drink, personal care products, the processed sugar, and pesticide-laden Standard American Diet, huge amounts of stress, electronic pollution, and sleep deprivation.  According to Dr. Mark Hyman, Director of Functional Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic, nearly all of his chronically ill patients with anything from heart disease, chronic fatigue, asthma, arthritis,  Alzheimer’s, cancer, and everything in between; all have tested for low Glutathione levels. He maintains that it’s absolutely critical for us to produce and maintain high levels of this molecule in order to recover from chronic illness, prevent disease, and maintain optimal health and performance.

What are the many benefits of Glutathione?

• Slows down the aging process, prevents wrinkles, and supports the elasticity of the skin.
• The most powerful detoxification agent in the human body.
• Glutathione protects Mitochondrial function which is the powerhouse of the cell that supplies our energy!
• Boost the immune system.
• Neutralizes free radicals that lead to oxidative stress and cell death.
• Improves mental clarity and focus.
• Improves sleep patterns.
• Powerful inflammation fighters often at the root cause of disease.
• Improves heart health by neutralizing lipid oxidation leading to blood vessel damage and the buildup of plaque.
• Helps protect our brain from Neurodegenerative diseases.
• Vital for proper liver function.

Glutathione is a magical molecule

In Your Diet

The diet is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to get your own body to produce more Glutathione. According to Dr.Russell Jaffe, an acclaimed Integrative Health Doctor and Scientist, the “Secret is in the Sulphur” when it comes to raising your glutathione levels naturally. Listed below are his top five sulfurous foods.  Try and get at least one of these in your diet every single day!

• Garlic
• Onions
• Ginger
• Broccoli Sprouts & Cruciferous Veggies
• Egg yolks

Whey Protein

Another one of Dr. Jaffe’s great tips for getting more glutathione in the diet is “Whey” protein.  However, we’re not talking about your typical commercial, heavily processed, pasteurized low-quality Whey protein here. He recommends “Native Whey” which is the cleanest, least processed form of bio-active Whey protein available that is easily absorbable with high amounts of Cysteine, a precursor to Glutathione.

Exercise

Most doctors recommend regular exercise for mental and physical health. However, research has shown that exercise in the forms of cardio and weight training plays a key role in raising and maintaining healthy glutathione levels.

PreCursor Supplements

These are non-glutathione supplements that you can take to increase your body’s own natural ability to produce more Glutathione.

• NAC or N-acetyl-L-Cysteine
• ALA or Alpha Lipoic Acid
• L-Glutamine
• Buffered Vitamin C in the form of Ascorbate
• Selenium
• Folate, B6, B12
• Milk Thistle
• MSM(Methylsulfonylmethane)

Glutathione Supplements

• The powdered or pill form is probably the most common form available, however, I do not recommend these because these types of Glutathione are poorly absorbed in the digestive tract.
• Glutathione IV benefits, IV push is by far the most effective way to absorb glutathione and my personal favorite, however, it can be a little more expensive and more invasive for children.
• S-acetyl Glutathione has the ability to permeate into the membrane of mitochondria(a powerhouse of the cell) where it helps maintain its integrity and function. S-acetyl Glutathione can also cross the blood-brain barrier allowing it to directly detoxify and protect the brain. In addition, S-Acetyl glutathione has been found to increase intracellular glutathione and improve many biomarkers of oxidative stress. 
• Liposomal Glutathione is a less expensive alternative that is highly absorbable and you don’t need a prescription making it an ideal form for daily supplementation. Liposomal Glutathione is readily available online too.
• Glutathione can be formulated for a nebulizer in order to inhale it but this typically requires a prescription.
• Transdermal lotions and creams are also available with varying degrees of absorption.

The Most Powerful Antioxidant!

While the actual “Fountain of Youth” probably doesn’t exist, I would argue that Glutathione is a close second.  Whether you’re trying to heal from or prevent chronic disease, look and feel younger, improve brain power, athletic performance, or just want more energy, raising this mother of all antioxidants and disease buster should not only be on your radar but should be a priority for your healthiest self!

Disclaimer

The information contained in this blog and any content within therootcausewellness.com website is intended to educate, empower, and inspire readers to make positive choices for their own overall health and wellbeing. I am not a doctor, psychiatrist, or therapist and the information contained in this website is my personal opinion based on my education, real-life experience, and research unless otherwise stated. Therefore, It is in no way intended to substitute for professional medical advice from a doctor or licensed health professional. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease or medical condition. It is always recommended that you consult with a doctor or licensed medical professional before making any dietary, lifestyle, exercise, medication, or supplement changes. Kathleen Freydl, Certified Health Coach and Owner of the Root Cause Wellness, accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever for the use or misuse of the information contained in therootcausewellness.com website including affiliate links.