Glutathione Levels

Glutathione is naturally synthesized rapidly in the liver, kidneys, and other tissues of the body, including the gastrointestinal tract. This process is effected by aging and disease, as both of these conditions result in reduced tissue and blood levels of Glutathione. Glutathione is the body's master antioxidant, and is necessary for several major functions: Without an adequate supply of sulfur-containing amino acids (cysteine and methionine), the body cannot make enough glutathione for normal functioning.

A reduced level of Glutathione can lead to the development of many diseases as the immunity of the body gets affected adversely.

Toxins, pollution, disease, stress, and poor diet can all contribute to loss of Glutathione. When Glutathione levels reach a critically low degree, we are much more vulnerable to toxins and chronic fatigue immune dysfunction. Toxins in the body are bound by glutathione and the compound then transforms them into a chemical form which can be easily accumulated and expelled from the body via the excretory organs. The treatment of certain types of cancer tissues using Glutathione has also shown positive results.

Supplements that increase glutathione must provide cysteine although glutathione levels cannot be increased by ingesting oral cysteine because oral cysteine is potentially toxic and is spontaneously destroyed in the gastrointestinal tract.

Glutathione levels in the body also appear to be linked to the presence of a variety of other substances, including alpha lipoic acid, vitamin C, methionine and SAMe. Glutathione levels in the blood and tissues decrease with age as demonstrated by a study reported in the Journal of Laboratory Clinical Medicine (1992; 720-5) . This study examined males and females between the ages of 20 and 94 and found an increase incidence of low blood Glutathione levels in the elderly subjects. Glutathione levels in Plasmodium -infected red blood cells are regulated by Gutathione synthesis, Glutathione reduction and glutathione efflux.