Glutathione Deficiency

Glutathione Levels Decrease as we Age

What causes Glutathione deficiency?

Your Glutathione Levels are Falling whether you like it or not.Glutathione levels diminish as we age. Your body's natural glutathione production begins to decline by 10% to 15% per decade starting at the age of 20. Glutathione deficiency is alarming because all other antioxidants rely on the presence of glutathione to function and do their job properly. This is the main reason that as we age (hence glutathione levels become lower) we become prone to illnesses. 

"Clinical evidence links low glutathione levels to the most common illnesses of our time as well as newly emerging diseases."
Glutathione: Essential Health AID - Antioxidant, Immune Booster...
Dr. Jimmy Gutman, MD, FACEP.

So How Can We Increase Glutathione GSH Levels? Click Here to Find Out.

Find out More About Glutathione Benefits

Go to PubMed site, the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Search by entering "glutathione and [your health concern]" to get specific abstract result.

Highly Recommended to Read:

Endogenous and Exogenous Antioxidant

Benefits of Glutathione

What is GLUTATHIONE (GSH)?

Glutathione - Body's First Line of Defense

We all know that ANTIOXIDANT is the solution to protect our body from free radical damage. Most health and wellness companies use EXTERNAL ANTIOXIDANT SUPPLEMENTS (Exogenous Antioxidant). They spend decades of research seeking the secret elixir that will give them the health, energy, strength and vitality they craved. Companies tout powders, liquids, pills and many other supplements that are promised to give our bodies the essential nutrients they need to become healthy.

What NONE of them Realize is that the SECRET to Health and Longevity is "ALREADY INSIDE OUR BODY."  The interesting fact is that we do not have to obtain this via Food.....because it is not anESSENTIAL NUTRIENT, it is an ENDOGENOUS ANTIOXIDANT calledGLUTATHIONE (GSH). The most powerful antioxidant "glutathione gsh" can be found and manufactured in each and every Cell of the human body.

Glutathione or GSH is the Most Important Antioxidant. So important, that Without It, WE DIE! It is often called REDUCED GLUTATHIONE or sometimes referred as L-GLUTATHIONE.

It is a small protein (tripeptide) molecule formed from the amino acids Cysteine, Glycine and Glutamic Acid thru BIOSYNTHESIS. It has been deemed the "Master Antioxidant" because it can PREVENT and REPAIR damage caused by Free Radicals and Peroxides to important cellular components.

Suggested Reading:

Glutathione GSH Benefits

Endogenous Antioxidant 

Glutathione and Cancer (Highly Recommended)

We're fooled into using more medicine than we need...

Found this great blog posted by herbal YODA and i became interested when i read the "About me" section stating "Medicine doesn't get to the root of the trouble. It only conceals it. The result is a more highly poisoned condition which may become chronic disease. All drugs are harmful to the system. They are contrary to nature."

This is really an interesting article ----> Natural Health News: Creeping Diseases: How we're fooled into using more medicine than we need. This is a guest post from independent medical investigative journalist Jeanne ...

Here are some excerpts from the article...

"Unfortunately, one of the toughest things to explain is why detecting some illnesses at their earliest stages can cause more harm than good." Take this example: Since elevated cholesterol is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, doctors often prescribe drugs known as statins to people with elevated cholesterol levels in the hopes of reducing their risk of a heart attack or stroke. Here comes the part that’s tough to explain – because it is so counterintuitive: Statins only help individuals who already have had a heart attack or stroke

The reason why we are promoting "natural glutathione" (GSH), i believe that it is best for us to prevent any disease or illnesses in a natural way, not by the help of Prescription Drugs. Unknown to many, the most powerful antioxidant glutathione can be found inside our body. We have the ability to produce it at the cellular level if the necessary precursors are present, fresh organic grown fruits and vegetables helps maintain high glutathione levels. Natural Glutathione Accelerator supplements are also a big help. Instead of relying into taking Medicine or Prescription Drugs, why not try what nature has given us. Powerful Drugs can save you from your disease but you might suffer or die from side effects.... Kidney Failure or Liver Failure, is the most common problem arising from taking these wonder drugs. If you are already taking Glutathione Accelerator, good for you. To those wondering What is Glutathione GSH?, read my article about Glutathione.

These are my opinion, this is what i believe based on my observation and research. Don't take my word, it is best for you to consult a qualified Medical Doctor if you have a health problem.

Recommended to Read Links:
Endogenous & Exogenous Antioxidants 
 

Glutathione and Blood Sugar Level

HOW TO LOWER DOWN BLOOD SUGAR LEVEL?

A disorder of glucose or blood sugar metabolism. The body is not capable of breaking down glucose in the blood stream.

How can we help to balance our blood sugar?

Regular exercise and Healthy diet is essential, foods high in fiber, nuts, onions and garlic are a good food choice to control blood glucose at a safe level. Apart from diet and exercise, antioxidant supplement is also needed. Exogenous Antioxidants that we get from food we eat is not enough if you have very high level of blood sugar because your body is compromised and may not have the ability to use it efficiently. We need the help of Endogenous antioxidant to overcome it naturally.

Based on research, people who have high level of oxidative stress and low levels of natural glutathione gsh. Oxidative stress is produced under diabetic conditions and possibly causes various forms of tissue damage in patients with a metabolic problem in which the body’s inability to produce any or enough insulin causes elevated levels of glucose in the blood.

It is recommended that in order to increase natural glutathione level. Glutathione, being the most prevalent endogenous antioxidant, can neutralize oxidative stress or free radicals. It also has the ability to repair damaged cells, which will result to healthy tissues and healthy organs. Click the Link to know more about What is Glutathione.

How to increase Glutathione Level? 

You can use glutathione accelerator or supplements that can give your body the nutrients needed so that your cells can manufacture it at the cellular level. 

How to Regulate or Control Blood Sugar Level

Antidiabetics maintenance medicine for those with diabetes might be needed, but utmost care should be made. It can deplete you of essential nutrients needed by your body. Read my article Maintenance Drugs Side Effect to know more.

What is DNA?

DNA

What is DNA and what is its Role in our body....

What is DNA?

DNA, or Deoxyribonucleic Acid, is the hereditary material in humans and almost all other organisms. Sometimes referred to as the "Building Blocks of Life."

DNA contains the instructions needed for an organism to develop, survive and reproduce. That's how important DNA is. It contains the genetic information, and this information dictates how the body’s cells would construct new proteins according to the genetic code. 

Most DNA is located in the cell nucleus (where it is called nuclear DNA), but a small amount of DNA can also be found in the mitochondria (where it is called mitochondrial DNA or mt DNA). Nearly every cell in a person’s body has the same DNA.

An important property of DNA is that it can replicate, or make copies of itself. Each strand of DNA in the double helix can serve as a pattern for duplicating the sequence of bases. This is critical when cells divide because each new cell needs to have an exact copy of the DNA present in the old cell.

Damaged DNA

When the DNA gets damaged (caused by free radicals and mutagens), it will cause cell mutation. Since DNA controls cell growth, development and replication it is essential to have a healthy DNA to avoid replication of damaged or mutated cells.

We could say that Healthy DNA is critical in having a Healthy Cell, thus it is essential to repair DNA to have a healthy body.

What is Responsible for DNA Repair?

I firmly believe that Endogenous Antioxidants are responsible for DNA repair, maybe not all of them but the most prevalent Endogenous Antioxidant Glutathione is. Glutathione as discussed on our previous posts is responsible for protecting Cells and Cellular Components. It aids in detoxification, immune boosting, free radical scavenging and plays a very important role in the synthesis and Repair of DNA since it is present in each and every cell of our body.

The Brain

The Human Brain - the most complex organ in your body and the centerpiece of your nervous system. Gives us the power to speak, imagine and problem solve. It is truly an amazing organ. 

Parts of the Brain - brain is organized into three interconnected layers: the central core, limbic system, and cerebral cortex, all of which contain structures that regulate everyday life.

Brain Parts and Functions:

1. The Central Core (found in all vertebrates). Its five main regions help regulate basic life processes. 

• The Medulla is the center for breathing, waking, sleeping, and beating of the heart.
• The Pons triggers dreaming and waking from sleep. 
• The Reticular Formation signals the cerebral cortex to attend to new stimulation and to remain alert even during sleep.
• The Thalamus begins the process of interpreting sensory information. It determines fundamental properties, such as whether something is good or bad, and then forwards the information to the appropriate area of the cerebral cortex, where information processing continues.
• The Cerebellum coordinates body movements, controls posture, and maintains equilibrium. 

2. The Limbic System exists only in mammals. Its regions mediate motivated behaviors, emotional states, and memory processes. 

• The Hippocampus plays an important role in emotion, learning, and memory. 
• The Amygdala plays a role in aggression, eating, drinking, and sexual behaviors.
• The Hypothalamus monitors blood levels of glucose, salt, blood pressure, and hormones. It also helps to regulate processes in the body through its connection to the central and autonomic nervous systems and endocrine system.

3. The Cerebral Cortex directs the brain's higher cognitive and emotional functions. It is divided into two almost symmetrical halves called the cerebral hemispheres. Each hemisphere contains four lobes.

• The Frontal Lobe assists in motor control and cognitive activities, such as planning, making decisions, setting goals, and relating the present to the future through purposeful behavior. 
• The Parietal Lobe assists in sensory processes, spatial interpretation, attention, and language comprehension.
• The Occipital Lobe processes visual information and passes its conclusions to the parietal and temporal lobes.
• The Temporal Lobe assists in auditory perception, language comprehension, and visual recognition.

Facts About The Brain

• Brain cells consume 20% of the oxygen used in the body which generates many free radicals.
• Detoxification of these free radicals is an essential task for the brain.
• Glutathione is an important antioxidant found in the brain that detoxifies these free radicals.
• As the brain's master antioxidant, glutathione plays an essential role in protecting this vital organ from free radical activity. Studies indicate that damage by free radicals to brain tissue may be associated with neurodegenerative disorders such as alzheimer's disease, parkinson's disease and huntington's disease. The neutralization of these free radicals is, therefore, an essential function of glutathione in the brain.
• Relative to many organs in the human body the brain is deficient in defenses to oxidative stress.
• This deficiency in the brain can leave it vulnerable to lipid peroxidation. Lipids are a broad group of naturally occurring molecules which include fats, waxes, and such vitamins as A, D, E, and K. Lipids play an important role in such functions as energy storage and cell signaling.
• The oxidation degeneration of lipids is called lipid peroxidation. This occurs when free radicals steal electrons from lipids in the cell membrane resulting cell damage.
• Accounts for only about 2% of the body's mass, yet it utilizes approximately 20% of the body's oxygen.
• Contains less endogenous antioxidant activity when compared with other major organs such as the liver.

These facts only underline the importance of supporting the antioxidant system for the best possible brain function throughout a person's life. The brain can become vulnerable to free radicals when it is subjected to chemicals that are known to decrease glutathione.

Effects on aging in the brain.

Research suggests that oxidative damage from free radicals is a major contributor to the functional decline characteristics of aging in the brain. 

An August 2009 study conducted 2 groups of rats tested the aging effects of aluminum toxicity, administered to the first group. The same toxicity mixed with a substance that acted as a free radical scavenger with antioxidant properties was given to a control group with dramatically different result.

The first group experienced:

• Increase to lipid peroxidation, leading to free radical damage and oxidative stress.
• Decrease of SOD, glutathione and other antioxidants.

The second group experienced the opposite:

• Lipid peroxidation was lowered.
• Antioxidant activity was enhanced.

The study found that the free radical scavenger had a protective effect against toxin-induced changes related to aging by reducing oxidative stress. This slowed the aging process which was present in the first group.

The importance of a healthy brain is self evident. Subjecting ourselves to an abundance of free radicals and environmental stressors is not only bad for us but can accelerate the aging process in the brain. The brain requires a lot of oxygen and is more susceptible to oxidative stress than many organs because of a lower natural concentration of antioxidant activity.

To increase antioxidant activity in the brain to slow down aging, we need to optimize glutathione production at the cellular level.

Click Here for Possible Ways to Increase Glutathione Levels.

Endogenous Vs Exogenous Antioxidant

Antioxidant and Free Radicals

Free radicals - are highly reactive, unstable molecules that have lost one electron and are aggressively looking for a replacement. Free radicals are formed in the body, and its production is increased when we are exposed to such things as tobacco smoke, alcohol, insecticides, radiation and even to sunlight. Other causes are a high-fat diet, eating fried foods, or strenuous exercise. It is the free radical production from these sources that we need to be most concerned about. In a simple explanation, FREE RADICALS are responsible to cell damage.

Exogenous Antioxidant - antioxidant that we obtain from our diet and supplements. Vitamin C and Vitamin E are the most popular exogenous antioxidant that floods the market.

Endogenous Antioxidant - antioxidant produced by our body. More powerful free radical fighter than those you can get from your diet. The five important endogenous antioxidants are Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Glutathione, Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA), Catalase and Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10).

Our body produces more SOD, Catalase and Glutathione when certain free radicals are present. It is our body's Frontline defense (First Line of Defense).

Some Important Roles of Endogenous Antioxidant:

• SOD can convert the most reactive or most dangerous free radicals into hydrogen peroxide, which catalase and Glutathione can then turn into oxygen and water, neutralizing them.
• ALA, Glutathione and CoQ10 has properties that can regenerate and recycle some exogenous antioxidants. **Example - Vitamin C (Ascorbate) donates an electron to a free radical to neutralize it, making it dehydroascorbate which has a half-life in the body of only a few minutes. If the dehydroascorbate is not rereduced (given back its lost electrons) back to ascorbate, it is irreversibly lost making it a weak free radical. Endogenous antioxidants can regenerate this dyhydroascorbate, turning it back to ascorbate form so it can combat another free radical again.

What Makes Glutathione Stand Out from other Endogenous Antioxidant?

Glutathione is present in each and every cell of our body, found in high concentrations in liver cells. It is the cell’s primary antioxidant against free radicals produced by toxic chemicals and viruses. Glutathione also plays an essential role in the liver’s detoxification process (Phase II system). 

Glutathione has the ability to repair DNA damage caused by free radicals at the cellular level, it plays a role in boosting the immune system and in slowing down the natural ageing process.... Glutathione indeed is the Most Important and Most Powerful Antioxidant inside our body. 

How Powerful is Glutathione?

Antioxidant donates electron to free radicals to neutralize it. Let's make an example how many free radicals some popular antioxidants can neutralize:

• Vitamin E - a molecule of vit.E has 3 electrons to share, meaning it can neutralize 3 free radicals at a time.
• Vitamin C - has 2 to 5 electrons to share, means it can neutralize 2 to 5 free radicals at a time.
• Glutathione - has 1 million electrons to share, it can neutralize 1million free radicals at a time as well as give back the lost electrons of exogenous antioxidants like vitamin c and vitamin e making them functional again.

It is estimated that every one of the cells in our body receives 10,000 hits a day from free radicals, assuming we have 50 to 75 trillion cells, imagine the total hits from free radicals we encounter per day! If we will rely from exogenous antioxidants to neutralize that many free radicals, we would have to consume approximate amount of 375 oranges or 87 glasses of red wine or 120 vitamin C capsule! Glutathione being our body's frontline defense, do most of the work in neutralizing these free radicals.

Important Facts:

• Endogenous and Exogenous Antioxidants, revive and spare one another from destruction. So those exogenous antioxidants coming from our diet and supplements are also important. 
• Taking Vitamin C and Vitamin E and other exogenous antioxidant supplement is also needed if we need to give our body a boost by helping and aiding glutathione.
• It is evident that we need to rely on replenishing glutathione at the cellular level to be healthier and live longer.
• When we are Younger, our body is capable of producing enough endogenous antioxidants to combat free radicals on their own. Capability decreases as we age, making us vulnerable to sickness.

For decades, the main problem encountered with glutathione sold as a supplement is that only very small amounts can be absorbed into the blood stream because of its large molecule size aside from our body breaks them down in the process of digestion.

Glutathione GSH Benefits

Glutathione GSH - Master Cell Protector

Important Facts About Glutathione GSH

DID YOU KNOW THAT? 

• Glutathione (GSH) is not an essential nutrient. It does not have to be obtained via food. Glutathione (GSH) is an Endogenous Antioxidant, meaning produced naturally inside our cells through BIOSYNTHESISif the required building blocks are available.
• All cells in the human body are capable of synthesizing Glutathione, it is present in all parts of our body but hashigher concentrations in the Liver, Spleen, Kidney, Pancreas, Lens and Cornea.
• The presence of glutathione is required to maintain the normal function of all organs of our body.
• Glutathione (GSH) aids in Free Radical scavenging, immune boosting, detoxification and plays a very important role in DNA Repair.
• Without Glutathione, other important antioxidants such as Vitamin C and Vitamin E “CAN NOT DO THEIR JOB” adequately to protect our body against disease.

Scientists have long known of the critical role glutathione plays in protecting cells. Pub Med, maintained by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, has more than 92,000 articles (50,000 more than on Vitamin C) substantiating its health benefits.

“Glutathione is the Most Powerful Antioxidant Known to Science Today”

The benefits of glutathione complex are immeasurable, some of the benefits include but are not limited to the following: 

• It slows down aging
• It detoxify your liver and cleanse each cell
• Increases your energy
• Improve athletic performance and recovery
• It boosts your immune system
• Reduces cellular inflammation and the chance of developing cancer
• It improves heart and lung function
• It increases your body's natural healing ability

Diseases Associated with Low Levels of Glutathione.

GLUTATHIONE DEFICIENCY - CLICK HERE

Maintenance Drugs Side Effect

You should be aware that if you are taking maintenance medicine, you must take into account how it will affect your health after long term of use. There are maintenance medicine that can make your body suffer by depleting essential vitamins and minerals inside your body that can cause serious side effect like having a heart problem, osteoporosis and many more that we will discuss in a separate article. If you are taking any of the maintenance medicine stated below, consider taking additional exogenous antioxidant supplement so your body won't suffer. Please read the article below - Source: St. John Center for Wellness and Family Medicine, 18303 Ten Mile Road Suite 500, Roseville, MI 48066 586-498-5160. You can also view the original article in pdf file, copy paste the link in your browser.

http://www.drpaz.com/files/Download/DRUGS%20THAT%20CAN%20DEPLETE%20VITAMINS%20.pdf

Maintenance Drugs that can DEPLETE Essential Vitamins and Minerals

Despite the focus on eating a healthier diet as a tool for staying healthy, prescription or nonprescription drugs maybe necessary from time to time. Unfortunately, many of these drugs can cause the body to lose nutrients. The medical name for this is 'drug-induced nutrient depletion'.

This topic is of vital significance to both health professionals and the general public.

For decades, studies have documented that many commonly prescribed drugs can cause the depletion of one or more nutrients. Unfortunately, this information does not receive the publicity and attention it deserves. Researchers believe that many of the side effects from drugs may actually be due to the nutrient depletion that are caused by the drugs, when taken over time. In 1998, 11 of the top 20 drugs prescribed were drugs for which studies showed potential nutrient depletion.

Below is a list of the nutrients that may be depleted by long term use of some commonly prescribed medications. Both over-the-counter and prescription medications have the potential to deplete nutrients from the body. Because so many people depend on medications to maintain their health, simply removing medications or stopping the use of medications is not necessarily the answer. Changing the use of medications must be done only under the supervision of a physician. However, you can make changes in your lifestyle, particularly through proper diet and supplements, to help replace the nutrients that may be depleted during the use of medications. If you take any of the below medications regularly, you should discuss possible diet changes or supplementation with your health care provider in order to prevent deficiencies from developing.

ANTACIDS

All that contain Aluminum or Magnesium - depletes Calcium and Phosphorus

ANTIBIOTICS

All - depletes B Vitamins, Vitamin K, Lactobacillus and AcidophilusTetracycline, Doxycycline, Bactrim, Septra - depletes Magnesium and Calcium

ANTIDIABETICS

Sulfonylureas: Glynase, Prandin, Glucotrol - depletes Coenzyme Q10

Metformin (Glucophage) - depletes Vitamin B12

ANTI-INFLAMMATORIES

Aspirin - depletes Vitamin C, Folic Acid, Potassium, Iron and Sodium

NSAIDS(All) - depletes Folic Acid and Melatonin

Coticosteroid(Prednisine, etc.) - depletes Calcium, Vitamin D, Potassium, Zinc, Vitamin C, Magnesium, Folic Acid and Selenium

BENZODIAZEPINES

Valium, Ativan - depletes Melatonin

CARDIAC AND HYPERTENSION DRUGS

Lasix, Bumex - depletes Calcium, Magnesium, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Potassium, Zinc

Hydrochlorthiazide(HCTZ), Hydrodiuril - depletes Magnesium, Potassium, Zinc Dyazide, Maxide - depletes Calcium, Folic Acid and Zinc

ACE Inhibitors(Prinivil, Zestril, Altace etc) - depletes Zinc

Clonidine, Aldomet - depletes Coenzyme Q10

Beta-Blockers - depletes Coenzyme Q10, Melatonin

Digoxin - depletes Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorous, Vitamin B1

CHOLESTEROL LOWERING DRUGS

All Statins(Lipitor, Pracachol, Zocor, etc) - depletes Coenzyme Q10

Bile Acid Binders(Cholestyramine, Colestipol) - depletes Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Vitamin B12, Folic Acid, Iron, Calcium , Magnesium, Phosphorous and Zinc

FEMALE HORMONES

Birth Control Pills - depletes Vitamins B2, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Vitamin C, Folic Acid, Magnesium and Zinc

Estrogens - depletes Magnesium, Zinc and Vitamin B6

ULCER MEDICATIONS

H2- Blockers

Tagamet, Pepcid, Zantac, Axid - depletes Vitamins B12, Vitamin D, Folic Acid, Calcium, Iron and Zinc

Proton Pump Inhibitors

Prevacid, Protonix, Aciphex, Nexium, Prisolec - depletes Vitamin B12