The More, the Merrier – Glutathione

Glutathione is a protein consisting of 3 amino acids, namely glutamate, cysteine and glycine - that offers protection to all our body cells and tissues chiefly against free radical attacks. This is especially important for the brain which is very sensitive to presence of this invader.

Sources 


Glutathione is produced naturally in the liver, lungs and brain. The liver, having one of the highest concentrations of glutathione has to endure the onslaught of excess chemicals, pollutants or toxins, resulting in its significant drop. Another reason being one of the amino acids, cysteine starts declining at the rate of about 10% every decade as we age past 25. In line with a report in the Lancer, the top British Medical Journal, it goes that the highest glutathione levels is found in healthy young people, and lower levels in healthy elderly, lower still in sick elderly and the lowest of all in the hospitalised elderly.


As such to stay fit, healthy and youthful, the levels of glutathione in the body need to be constantly replenished. Consuming rich glutathione foods is the quickest way to achieve more. Most plant foods contain element of glutathione, including sulphur-rich foods eg. garlic, onions, cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, kale, cabbage, cauliflower, watercress and bioactive whey protein. When combined with selenium, it becomes Gluthathione Peroxidase (GPx) yielding higher antioxidant properties.


Importance


The natural depletion of this protein weakens our immunity and thus renders one more susceptible to infections and diseases. Medical researchers have done much studies to establish its strong link to cancer and aging.  The final findings revealed its highly effective antioxidant properties so vital to our immunity, a deficiency of which can result in oxidative stress leading to various ailments and accelerate the aging process. 


Functions

+  The normal function of the liver is to release glutathione directly into the bloodstream to maintain the integrity of red blood cells and protect the white blood cells.


+  Another vital role is to protect against alcohol-induced damage, heavy metal and drug intoxication. In any instance when harmful substances get into the body the automatic reaction is to send to the liver for detoxification. The excess is cleared off with glutathione binding with the toxins to be excreted through the bile. As such, its level declines and lesser becomes available for other cells in the body. 


+  Glutathione is channeled to other parts of the body including:

-  The lungs to mitigate the impact of damage caused by tobacco smoke and environmental pollutants.

-  The intestinal tract to metabolise carbohydrates and oxidise fats.


Applications

The discovery on the positive action of glutathione on improving cell development encourages the application of cysteine supplementation of patients with compromised immune system suffering from HIV and many types of cancer.  By protecting our cells from free radical damage, it even targets carcinogens, turning them water-soluble to flush out easier from the body.


Other comments 


Ways to raise glutathione levels include exercise and combining with supporting supplements like N-acetyl-cysteine, alpha lipoic acid, Vitamin B complex, selenium, milk thistle, Vitamin C and E to raise its effectiveness in combating the free radicals. The humble onion contains most of these essential nutrients required for the liver's detoxification process. As this organ is resilient and capable of healing and re-growing its own cells, raising the glutathione levels allows it to heal expeditiously, and continue to perform its host of functions.



VIVA corner

To raise glutathione levels, it is better to supply the body with the raw materials it uses to make this compound namely cysteine, glutamic acid and glycine. VIVA Ageguard is derived from soy and rice protein, broken down into unchained form for quick absorption.  The 3 amino acids mentioned above, glutamine, cysteine and glycine are present in this unique formulation.

Glutathione can also be found in VIVA Green Barley, SelGuard and VIVA Guard.