Promoting Glutathione
Approximately 50% of the body’s Glutathione production is achieved through the consumption of fruits and vegetables. Prior to the modern age, our food sources used to be sufficient to handle the demands placed on our bodies. But eating enough glutathione-rich foods only works in an idealized world where medications, stress, toxins and fast food are not factors. The depleting elements have grown exponentially in our environment while our food sources have become compromised with pesticides, genetically modified foods and limited availability of organic fruits and vegetables. Only a small amount of reduced Glutathione from foods can reach the bloodstream, while most is lost in the digestive tract. So the need for Glutathione production has risen dramatically while our ability to produce it naturally has diminished.
Many synthetic medications and supplements claim to raise Glutathione, but some can cause toxicity, troublesome side effects and many can interact with various medications. Bioactive microfiltered undenatured whey Protein isolates can be an efficient and cost-effective manner to raise this critical antioxidant.
Below are the most frequently used methods to raise Glutathione:
Whey Protein Isolates Milk is inherent to all mammals, including humans, and Whey Protein is an element of milk. All mammalian breast milk contains naturally high amounts of Glutathione to protect the infant. Human breast milk is no exception, and also contains high levels of healthy bacteria to colonize the baby's gut region with Probiotics, the healthy bacteria that helps sustain life.
Cows milk contains 5-10% protein - 20% whey and 80% lactose and cheese fat (caseine). Most allergies to milk are from the lactose and cheese caseine. Only a tiny percentage of the public has a true allergy to whey.
In the 1930s, the compulsory pasteurization of milk caused high temperature processing that denatured (damaged) the protein structures. Denaturation causes less bioactive availability of the critical active components to the cells. All commercial milk today is pasteurized and as a result, the potent Glutathione precursors have been rendered ineffective.
Most whey protein that is found in natural food or sports nutrition will not increase Glutathione levels. Whey proteins can contain anywhere from 20%-90% whey, a few are bioactive while most are not. Many use high temperature processing to extract the whey, which damages the delicate protein structure.
Only specialized Undenatured (intact) whey protein isolates that employ unique filtering and processing methods to extract the whey from the protein can generate intracellular Glutathione. This microfiltering process ensures the two Cysteine molecules remain linked together and can sustain the trip through the digestive system to convert to Glutathione. For a detailed explanation of the difference in whey proteins, click here .
Using bioactive whey protein isolate is a safe, comfortable and effective way to generate Glutathione without side effects.
The famous Louis Pasteur Institute for Research issues a book every year that goes to all the major medical schools in the U.S.A., Europe and Canada. The book, entitled “Oxidative Stress in Cancer, Aids and Neurodegenerative Diseases,” was co-authored by Luc Montagnier, co-discoverer of the AIDS virus. Chapter 42 is entirely devoted to a discussion of the Immune Enhancing Whey Protein. It states, “Nutraceutical Modulation of Glutathione with a Humanized Native Milk Serum Protein Isolate, Bioactive Whey Protein: Application in Cancer and AIDS.”
Oral
Glutathione
Ingesting direct Glutathione does not raise Glutathione levels since it is poorly absorbed through the digestive system. The fragile tripeptide (3-amino acid) structure of Glutathione makes surviving the digestive tract a near impossibility. Additionally, your cells must generate their own Glutathione to be effective.
Reduced Glutathione Glutathione must breakdown to its reduced form to work properly within the cells. But introducing the reduced form directly to the body is much like taking oral Glutathione – the effectiveness is lost. Supplementation with reduced Glutathione does not raise tissue levels of this critical antioxidant. Reduced Glutathione is also expensive and not metabolically active. Many doctors report that the clinical benefits achieved with intravenous reduced glutathione are not reproduced when it is taken orally.
Cysteine or L-Cysteine Glutathione is a tripeptide (3-amino acid) comprised of Cysteine, Glutamic Acid and Glycine. Consuming these three amino acids independently does not ensure Glutathione production and can actually be harmful. Cysteine is the precursor to Glutathione and extremely important to Glutathione production, yet taking Cysteine is ineffective since it is potentially toxic. Cysteine is spontaneously oxidized in the gastrointestinal tract and the bloodstream and cannot reach the cells. Cysteine that does make it into the bloodstream can be further oxidized and do more damage than good. Cysteine may be one of the building blocks of Glutathione, but alone has a negligible impact on raising Glutathione levels.
N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) is a synthetic version of Cysteine that is rapidly converted to the amino acid Cysteine. NAC supplements are moderately effective, but dosing is limited due to the toxic side effects (such as headaches, dizziness, blurred vision) associated with Cysteine Supplementation. NAC decreases Zinc, so supplementing with additional zinc and copper is recommended along with Vitamin C to help prevent the Cysteine from converting to Cystine, which can form kidney and bladder stones.
Recent Study on NAC: According to recent research at The University of Virginia, N-Acetyl-Cysteine forms a red blood cell derived molecule that makes blood vessels think they are not getting enough oxygen. This leads to pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a serious condition characterized by high blood pressure in the arteries that carry blood to the lungs. The results appeared in the September 2009 issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation.
Many supplements include N-Acetyl-Cysteine:
Max GXL uses N-Acetyl-Cysteine (see N-Acetyl-Cysteine), but also has Alpha Lipoic Acid, Vitamin C, Quercetin, L-Glutathione (see oral Glutathione), N-Acetyl-d-Glucosamine, Milk Thistle and N-Acetyl Cysteine (see Cysteine).
Along with the danger of toxicity from direct Cysteine (see Cysteine), people with diabetes mellitus and allergies to eggs, milk or wheat should not supplement with Cysteine. Anyone with kidney or liver disease should consult their physician before taking Cysteine supplements due to the risk of bladder and kidney stones. Additionally, several items in Max GXL may interact with some medications.
For example, Milk Thistle may interact with antipsychotics, Phenytoin (seizure medication), Halothane (used during general anesthesia), Allergy medications, Statins (cholesterol), Anti-Anxiety medications, Antiplatelet and Anticoagulant drugs (blood thinners) and some cancer drugs.
Quercetin interacts with Cyclosporine (immunosuppressant), Antibiotics, and medications that are broken down by the CYP2C8 liver enzymes. This includes some diabetes medications, hormones, anticonvulsants, Antidepressants, Antifungal, Ibuprofen, Potassium Channel Blockers and High Blood Pressure Medications, to name a few.
Glutathione IVs Delivering Glutathione through an IV is effective but expensive and uncomfortable, and requires infusions two times per week using an Intravenous (IV) line. Glutathione precursors are a better solution.
Topical Glutathione Creams / Gels Using a cream or Glutathione gel to raise Glutathione levels is ineffective and can have significant side effects. Glutathione is a highly sensitive molecule that must be created within the cells. Absorbing direct Glutathione to the skin does not allow the cells to produce this critical antioxidant.
The small benefit is lost when the active ingredients, such as direct Glutathione, decompose when it is added to creams
or
gels. Evaluation of topical Glutathione applications do
es
not
show
any significant effect on Glutathione production.
WARNING:
*While great care has been taken in organizing and presenting the material throughout this website, please note that it is provided for informational purposes only and should not be taken as Medical Advice.
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DISCLAIMER: *Because prescription medications can cause severe withdrawal reactions, do not stop
taking
any medication without first consulting your physician. The decision to taper any medication should be discussed with your doctor and done with their consent and support.
Always consult with your healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking or stopping any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have any health problem.
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*The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The products and labels mentioned / sold are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or illness. More...
REFERENCES:
- Oral GSH
- NAC
- Milk Thistle
- Pub Med - Metabolism and functions of glutathione in brain.
- Pub Med - clinical trial of glutathione in cases of hepatic cirrhosis.
- Nutritional Advisor – glutathione
- Free-Radicals Antioxidants – Your Defense Against Them
- The importance of glutathione in human disease
- Gluatathione
- I mportance of Glutathione for Growth and Survival of Escherichia coli Cells: Detoxification of Methylglyoxal and Maintenance of Intracellular K+
- Topical GSH
- GSH, Your Body's Most Powerful Protector by Dr. Jimmy Gutman (book) not a link
