Glutathione, which is formed by the combination of 3 different amino acids Glutamic Acid, Glycine and Cysteine, gains the ability to remove heavy metals, toxic substances and free radicals from the body as a result of this combination. This mechanism protects the whole body from abnormal work and diseases. In fact, people should produce their own glutathione for a healthy life. However, glutathione production decreases with age in the body. There are many studies examining the relationship between glutathione and life expectancy.
So what does glutathione do in the body?
1-) It reduces oxidative stress:
Glutathione reduces reactive oxygen species in the body. These substances are substances that can cause DNA damage. In short, reactive oxygen derivatives are the main factor in many issues such as cancer, inflammation (many auto immune diseases), and brain damage. Of course, glutathione alone does not fight with reactive oxygen molecules. Many different mechanisms, such as Vitamins E and C, are on our side in this battle.
2-) Reduces Inflammation:
Inflammation is one of the main causes of many autoimmune diseases in our body. Inflammation is called non-microbial inflammation. Studies have shown that the presence of inflammation is much higher in mice with low glutathione levels. It is effective in different mechanisms besides glutathione to regulate the inflammatory reaction in the body. Healthy living is the main factor that minimizes inflammation.
3-) Delays Aging:
We talked about the effect of glutathione on free radicals. Free radicals are one of the main factors of aging. Glutathione, which reduces free radicals that age and damage every cell, also delays aging indirectly. In addition, cells with low glutathione level are much more sensitive. Therefore, cell death that triggers aging may occur.
4-) Anxiety, Depression and Stress
Studies have shown that people with depression have a significantly lower glutathione level. In additional animal experiments, glutathione significantly reduced depression and anxiety in stressed animals. In addition, symptoms were improved in schizophrenic patients using NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine), which increases glutathione in the body.
5-) Autism and Hyperactivity:
In children diagnosed with autism, glutathione levels were determined to be 20-40% lower than children without autism, and it was determined that the cells did not work properly in creating active glutathione. In addition, children with hyperactivity and attention deficit had low glutathione levels, and in addition, high oxidative stress levels were observed. In these children, antioxidants, that is, the body’s natural detox systems, should work in general. It may be useful to talk to your doctor without using glutathione supplements in children!
6-) Protection of Brain Cells:
The brain is the body’s most energy-consuming organ. While consuming this energy, it creates a high amount of reactive oxygen molecules. Alzheimer’s Disease: The causes of Alzheimer’s disease are partially found in oxidative stress. Antioxidants can prevent or slow the disease. Several clinical studies have shown that Vitamin E slows the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. In mice with Alzheimer’s disease, glutathione has been shown to improve memory, reduce plaque formation, and improve general symptoms.
Parkinson’s:
Glutathione, which reduces the oxidative stress that damages dopamine neurons that cause Parkinson’s disease, can theoretically help slow the disease.
7-) Fighting Infection:
It has been seen that people with high glutathione levels are more successful in fighting viral infections. In addition, many studies have shown that glutathione significantly strengthens the immune level.
For example, in a study conducted in elderly AIDS patients, it was observed that patients with high glutathione levels were significantly less infected. In addition, microbial diseases reduce glutathione. Increasing glutathione reduces the amount of bacteria and viruses. In short, glutathione is essential for the immune system.
😎 Intestinal Health:
In IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) patients, a significant decrease in the enzyme that provides glutathione synthesis and a low level of cysteine amino acids have been determined. The increase in glutathione level in IBS disease, the exact mechanism of which is unknown, has revealed a significant decrease in symptoms. These people should also consume foods containing selenium in abundance. Adequate glutathione, cysteine and selenium Significantly strengthens the intestinal wall.
9-) Heart Health:
Low glutathione is linked to heart health and the likelihood of heart attack. Glutathione can reduce free radicals and minimize strokes or heart attacks.
10-) Diabetes:
Type 2 diabetes and high blood sugar significantly reduce the glutathione level in the body, resulting in free radical accumulation and many complications such as brain and nerve damage, heart and brain problems. Increasing glutathione can affect and slow this outcome.
11-) Kidney Health:
In a study conducted on 20 kidney patients receiving hemodialysis treatment, glutathione was found to reduce anemia and improve kidney functions in patients.
12 -) Liver Detox:
Glutathione provides liver detox by minimizing the oxidative stress that causes disease in the liver. In liver detox, foods containing sulfur (Garlic, Celery, Leek, Onion, etc.) have a very important place. When a harmful substance is encountered, both glutathione (the mechanism that produces glutathione in the body) increases and additional glutathione is needed to protect both the liver and the body.
13-) Dependencies:
In addition to alcohol, many drugs such as cannabis, cocaine, methamphetamine increase reactive oxygen molecules in the body. As a result, it damages many tissues. Brain cells come first among these. In some studies, it has been seen that the use of glutathione in the rehabilitation of many addiction patients will be beneficial. The antioxidant defense strengthened by glutathione not only protects the brain, but also detoxifies harmful substances from the body. Chronic alcohol consumption decreases the glutathione-producing enzyme in the liver, and the amount of glutathione indirectly decreases. Increasing the glutathione level has been shown to improve liver function in many patients.
14-) Lungs and airways:
Low glutathione levels can increase inflammation in the airways, resulting in asthma-like symptoms. In animal experiments with asthma, elevated glutathione significantly improved symptoms in many patients. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a lung disease caused by long-term oxidative damage. Increasing glutathione reduces the amount of free radicals in the lungs, which reduces the likelihood of developing COPD.
15-) Sleep Apnea:
Sleep apnea is a condition that affects many adults (especially male) population, characterized by snoring and weight. In apnea patients, to explain briefly, people cannot be charged. In these patients, oxidative stress occurs much more and forms the basis for many diseases. In one study, the sleep quality of patients who received glutathione increased significantly.
16-) Skin Diseases:
Acne: In a study conducted on acne patients, it was seen that the increased amount of glutathione renews the skin and provides a great reduction in acne. In addition, glutathione causes softening of the skin in healthy individuals. Increases skin cell activity and significantly reduces colored skin spots that occur with aging.
17-) Eye Health:
Glaucoma and Cataract are diseases that are among the causes of oxidative stress. In short, high glutathione levels can protect the eyes in these diseases that gradually cause blindness. This subject is accepted as theoretical, there is currently no human experimentation.
18-) Pregnancy and Health:
We talked about the importance of low glutathione levels in susceptibility to depression. The increase in oxidative stress in the fetus in prone or depressed pregnant women may affect the baby’s brain development and cause premature birth. Eating foods containing sulfur and cysteine (glutathione increasing substances) can be very beneficial for a healthy pregnancy. Note: Do not use supplements unless your doctor recommends!…
19-) Cystic Fibrosis:
Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disease that affects the sweat and mucus glands. There are studies showing that glutathione inhalation provides improvement in cystic fibrosis cases.
How to Increase Glutathione?
Glutathione is produced in the body from 3 amino acids. The production of these amino acids decreases with age. Glutathione can also be taken into the body as a supplement, but it must be absorbed without mixing into the blood and processed in the liver. In short, many oral glutathione preparations do not give us the desired result. In addition, glutathione can be taken sublingually, intravenously, orally, apart from the oral route.
Which foods increase glutathione?
Garlic, asparagus and sulfur-containing vegetables that you add to your diet. In addition, calcium and Riboflavin (B2) vitamin can cause a significant increase in glutathione. It is necessary to be careful without taking glutathione during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
