Glutathione
The most abundant antioxidant in the network is glutathione, which is produced
by the body from three amino acids found in food: glutamic acid, cysteine, and
glycine. Glutathione is found in virtually in every cell and is an important weapon in
the battle against free radicals. Is produced in the body and is the primary water-
soluble antioxidant. In the antioxidant network, glutathione recycles the oxidized form
of Vitamin C, restoring its antioxidant power. It is instrumental in the detoxification of
drugs and pollutants and for healthy liver function.
Forms of Glutathione
Glutathione is present in the body in two forms: its reduced form, which is a potent
antioxidant, and its oxidized form after it has been “used up” by the antioxidant
defense network. In a healthy body, more than 90 percent of glutathione will be found
in its antioxidant form. During times of illness or stress, levels of glutathione will
plummet, a sign of oxidative stress.
Although glutathione is sold as a supplement, there is much debate over how much
glutathione actually passes through the intestine into the cells. Since it is a large
molecule, it was once believed that it was too large to pass intact from digestive
system into the cells. But its clear now that small amounts of glutathione may pass
from the GI tract to the bloodstream but probably not in a high enough concentration
to be helpful, and certainly not enough to be transported to the cells that need it.
Why Glutathione is important?
Glutathione is the cell’s primary antioxidant. It is found in the cell sap (the watery
portion of the cell), there are several million times more glutathione molecules in the
cells than vitamin E, the primary fat-soluble antioxidants. There are astonishingly high
quantities of glutathione in the liver, where drugs, pollutants, alcohol, and other
foreign substances are detoxified. Glutathione is not only constantly produced by the
cells, but it is also tucked away in proteins, this reservoir of extra glutathione will be
mobilized into action under oxidative stress. It is a thiol antioxidant as it contains a
sulphur group.
Whenever our body is under oxidative stress, glutathione immediately produces a
series of enzymes that are essential for glutathione production.
The easiest and best way to maintain optimal glutathione levels is to eat foods that
contain the building blocks of glutathione, and to take lipoic acid supplements.
Glutathion Busters
Environmental toxins can sap our glutathione. These includes cigarette smoke and
overly processed chemical-laden foods such as luncheon meats
Antioxidant Feast
Garlic and Onions
Lowers cholesterol and contains cancer-fighting phytochemicals
Although we use garlic primarily as a flavoring for food, at one time it was considered
as a strong medicine. First century physician Dioscorides wrote that garlic “clears
arteries and opens the mouths of veins”. In the Middle Age, monks chewed on garlic
cloves to protect themselves against plaque. Modern scientists have confirmed that
garlic is a veritable pharmacy of healing compounds.
Garlic is
• rich in selenium, which provides the building blocks for several enzymes that
affect the antioxidant network, including glutathione peroxidase.
• heart-healthy herb and contains ajoene, a compound that prevents blood clots.
• Rich source of sulphur compounds, which have natural antibiotic and antifungal
properties.
• A fresh garlic clove can easily cure a yeast infection
Onion , a cousin of garlic, is another diseases-fighting food. It is an excellent source
of selenium, a mineral that has been shown to reduce the risk of many different types
of cancer as well as stroke.
by the body from three amino acids found in food: glutamic acid, cysteine, and
glycine. Glutathione is found in virtually in every cell and is an important weapon in
the battle against free radicals. Is produced in the body and is the primary water-
soluble antioxidant. In the antioxidant network, glutathione recycles the oxidized form
of Vitamin C, restoring its antioxidant power. It is instrumental in the detoxification of
drugs and pollutants and for healthy liver function.
Forms of Glutathione
Glutathione is present in the body in two forms: its reduced form, which is a potent
antioxidant, and its oxidized form after it has been “used up” by the antioxidant
defense network. In a healthy body, more than 90 percent of glutathione will be found
in its antioxidant form. During times of illness or stress, levels of glutathione will
plummet, a sign of oxidative stress.
Although glutathione is sold as a supplement, there is much debate over how much
glutathione actually passes through the intestine into the cells. Since it is a large
molecule, it was once believed that it was too large to pass intact from digestive
system into the cells. But its clear now that small amounts of glutathione may pass
from the GI tract to the bloodstream but probably not in a high enough concentration
to be helpful, and certainly not enough to be transported to the cells that need it.
Why Glutathione is important?
Glutathione is the cell’s primary antioxidant. It is found in the cell sap (the watery
portion of the cell), there are several million times more glutathione molecules in the
cells than vitamin E, the primary fat-soluble antioxidants. There are astonishingly high
quantities of glutathione in the liver, where drugs, pollutants, alcohol, and other
foreign substances are detoxified. Glutathione is not only constantly produced by the
cells, but it is also tucked away in proteins, this reservoir of extra glutathione will be
mobilized into action under oxidative stress. It is a thiol antioxidant as it contains a
sulphur group.
Whenever our body is under oxidative stress, glutathione immediately produces a
series of enzymes that are essential for glutathione production.
The easiest and best way to maintain optimal glutathione levels is to eat foods that
contain the building blocks of glutathione, and to take lipoic acid supplements.
Glutathion Busters
Environmental toxins can sap our glutathione. These includes cigarette smoke and
overly processed chemical-laden foods such as luncheon meats
Antioxidant Feast
Garlic and Onions
Lowers cholesterol and contains cancer-fighting phytochemicals
Although we use garlic primarily as a flavoring for food, at one time it was considered
as a strong medicine. First century physician Dioscorides wrote that garlic “clears
arteries and opens the mouths of veins”. In the Middle Age, monks chewed on garlic
cloves to protect themselves against plaque. Modern scientists have confirmed that
garlic is a veritable pharmacy of healing compounds.
Garlic is
• rich in selenium, which provides the building blocks for several enzymes that
affect the antioxidant network, including glutathione peroxidase.
• heart-healthy herb and contains ajoene, a compound that prevents blood clots.
• Rich source of sulphur compounds, which have natural antibiotic and antifungal
properties.
• A fresh garlic clove can easily cure a yeast infection
Onion , a cousin of garlic, is another diseases-fighting food. It is an excellent source
of selenium, a mineral that has been shown to reduce the risk of many different types
of cancer as well as stroke.
