L-Glutathione
$45.60
Glutathione is the master antioxidant in the body and is heavily concentrated in tissues such as the liver, spleen and heart. It plays a crucial role in immune function, detoxification capacity and protection against oxidative stress.
Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant that may help protect the body from disease, slow cancer progression, and improve insulin sensitivity, among other benefits. Modern lifestyle habits like poor dietary choices, lack of sleep, abundance of stress, exposure to chemicals, and exercise extremes can incur physiologic changes. Our bodies were designed to handle stress, detoxify chemicals and preserve cell function, but when the burden increases, those naturally built-in systems can’t keep up with demand. One of the most common physiological changes seen is the depletion of the body’s most powerful antioxidant, reduced glutathione.
Clinical Applications
- Supports Healthy Immune System Function
- Supports the Liver’s Natural Detoxification Processes
- Neutralizes Free Radicals
Glutathione has been termed “the master antioxidant” because of its ability to quench free radicals and protect cells from damage. It has long been thought that humans were unable to utilize preformed glutathione, but recent research proves otherwise. Setria®, a unique tri-peptide form of glutathione, has a molecular structure that effectively increases glutathione blood levels when taken orally. It is the only supplemental glutathione backed by a recently published human clinical trial that shows significant uptake of this critical nutrient.
L-Glutathione and Detoxification
Because of glutathione’s central role in detoxification, about 25% of all glutathione resides in the liver. Glutathione is more than simply an electron donor; glutathione plays an important role in protecting living cells from toxicity by detoxifying the reactive intermediates via enzymatic conjugation. Glutathione can also function as a detoxifying agent within the intestinal lumen, catching harmful toxins before they enter the body and create the necessity for liver detoxification.
L-Glutathione and Immune Health
It is well known that the gastrointestinal cells, the mitochondria and the efficiency of immune cell function are three major factors in immune function. Glutathione happens to play a role in all three elements. When small intestinal mucosa atrophies, it causes an increase in epithelial permeability and compromised tight junctions, which can lead to translocation of bacteria or a leaky gut. This translocation of bacteria is implicated in immune activation and autoimmunity. Supplementing with oral glutathione under conditions in which intracellular glutathione status is compromised can restore tissue glutathione and promote ROS metabolism.
The benefits of glutathione may include:
1. Antioxidant activity
Free radicals may contribute to aging and some diseases. Antioxidants help to counteract free radicals and protect the body from their damaging effects.
Glutathione is a very strong antioxidant, partly because high concentrations can be found in every cell in the body.
2. Preventing cancer progression
Some researchTrusted Source shows that glutathione has a role in preventing the progression of cancer.
However, the same research indicates that glutathione may make tumors less sensitive to chemotherapy, which is a common cancer treatment.
Determining the effects of glutathione on cancer will require more research.
3. Reducing cell damage in liver disease
Hepatitis, alcohol abuse, and fatty liver disease all damage the cells of the liver.
A 2017 clinical trial concludes that glutathione could help treat nonalcoholic fatty liver disease due to its antioxidant properties and potential to detoxify.
4. Improving insulin sensitivity
Insulin resistance can result in the development of type 2 diabetes. The production of insulin causes the body to move glucose (sugar) from the blood and into cells that use it for energy.
A 2018 study indicates that people with insulin resistance tend to have lower glutathione levels, particularly if they have experienced complications, such as neuropathy or retinopathy. A 2013 study reaches similar conclusions.
5. Reducing symptoms of Parkinson’s disease
According to research, there is evidence that maintaining glutathione levels may help with the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
The findings appear to support injected glutathione as a potential therapy, but there is little evidence about oral supplementation. Further research is necessary to support its use.
6. Reducing ulcerative colitis damage
Like other inflammatory diseases, ulcerative colitis has been linked to oxidative damage and stress. A 2003 Source suggests that glutathione supplementation can improve some of the damage to the colon in rats.
7. Treating autism spectrum disorders
There is some evidence that children with autism have lower levels of glutathione than neurotypical children, or those without autism.
In 2011, researchers found that oral glutathione supplements or injections might reduce some effects of autism. However, the team did not look specifically at the children’s symptoms to see if any had improved, so further research is needed to determine this impact.
Brand
Ortho Molecular Products