The Master Antioxidant - Glutathione
This winter season, it seems everyone is looking for that sweet magic pill to make all head colds and fevers go away!
However, we need to look at what we already have in our bodies that can enhance our defence this winter, naturally!
Glutathione is a natural and indispensable molecule that is found in every single cell in the body1. This essential antioxidant is one of the most powerful and protective molecules found in the human body – if it is supported, your immunity will be indestructible.
What is Glutathione?
Glutathione is quite complex as it is a tripeptide. A tripeptide is a tiny protein that is composed of three amino acids. Glutathione is composed of cysteine (NAC), glycine (collagen), and glutamic acid (glutamine). These three amino acids come together to make the Master Antioxidant, Glutathione. Glutathione boosts the utilization and recycling of other antioxidants – such as vitamins C and E1. It plays an integral part in the detoxification of chemical substances (pesticides, cosmetics, colourings, flavourings, environmental pollutants, drugs, alcohol, heavy metals etc) and serves to protect the body from oxidation (accelerated aging or cellular damage)2.
Glutathione can be developed and made stronger when the three precursor amino acids in the tripeptide are readily available. This is where cysteine, glycine, and glutamic acid can be increased with natural supplements.
Cysteine; a potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-supporting amino acid. L-Cysteine is a conditionally essential amino acid. However, it becomes deficient under stress or an insufficient diet3. Cysteine is produced naturally in the human body; supplements just make the process easier – especially if the body is lacking it. N-Acetyl L-Cysteine is the most bioavailable form.
Glycine is the most abundant protein found in the human body as it is vital for maintenance, repair, and growth. Ingesting glycine (collagen) can assist the natural processes of the body to heal stronger and recover efficiently. Therefore, this winter season… your defence is greater!
Glutamic acid or glutamine is one of the most crucial proteins (amino acids) in the body. Supplementation becomes essential when you are under physical or emotional stress in order to maintain muscle tissue and immunity. Glutamine is the building block for making proteins. Consuming an L-Glutamine supplement helps all processes in the human body - gut functionality, immunity and healthy brain function.
If all proteins found within the tripeptide of Glutathione are supported, imagine the strength of this Master Antioxidant in supporting your health! The antioxidant properties work together to improve communication between cells; as a result, stabilising cells, assisting defence, supporting protein function and basically supporting your body to take out all the bad stuff (detoxify)1.
Glutathione has many significant roles in your immunity, health and well-being1.
- Aging defence
- Antioxidant protection (reduce cell damage and dysfunction)
- Detoxification
- Energy production
- Enzyme function
- Cell communication
When Glutathione is strong and supported and levels are adequate – you will not only have protection from this winter season, but you will also have increased energy levels, radiance, strong heart and brain function, healthy detoxification, and possibly a healthier overall quality of life1.
So why wouldn’t you want to support the Master Antioxidant with supplements? The benefits are many and varied, and it requires little change to your current lifestyle! Let’s do it!
Disclaimer: The above article is merely a guide and is in no way a recommendation or a treatment protocol for any health conditions or diseases. You should always consult with a qualified health care provider before changing your supplement, training or nutritional strategy. Supplementation should not be attempted by pregnant or breastfeeding women, anyone on prescription medication or children under the age of 15 unless advised by your qualified health care provider
1 https://coremedscience.com/blogs/wellness/glutathione-the-master-antioxidant
2 S.C. Gad, in Encyclopedia of Toxicology (Third Edition), 2014
3 Vida Mokhtari, Parvaneh Afsharian, Maryam Shahhoseini, Seyed Mehdi Kalantar, Ashraf Moini
4 Cell J. 2017 Apr-Jun; 19(1): 11–17. Published online 2016 Dec 21. doi: 10.22074/cellj.2016.4872
