Part 1
(excerpts from Dr. Mark Hyman, MD’s article on Glutathione)
Glutathione is one of the most important molecules you need to stay healthy and prevent disease. Your body produces it’s own glutathione. However, poor diet, pollution, toxins, stress, trauma, aging, infections and radiation all deplete your glutathione.
This leaves you susceptible to unrestrained cell disintegration from oxidative stress, free radicals, infections and cancer. Your liver can get overloaded and damaged, making it unable to do its job of detoxification.
Our ability to produce and maintain a high level of glutathione is critical for recovery from all chronic illnesses, including: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Heart Disease, Cancer, Chronic Infections, Autoimmune Disease, Diabetes, Autism, Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Arthritis, Asthma, Kidney problems, Liver disease and more.
What is Glutathione?
Glutathione is a simple molecule that is produced naturally in your body. It is a combination of three proteins or amino acids – cysteine, glycine and glutamine.
The secret of its power is the sulpher (SH) chemical groups it contains. This molecule acts like flypaper for free radicals, toxins, mercury and other heavy metals.
Normally glutathione is recycled in the body except when the toxic load becomes too great.
The Importance of Glutathione in Protecting Against Chronic Illness
Glutathione is critical because it recycles antioxidants. When we are overwhelmed with too much oxidative stress or too many toxins, then the glutathione becomes depleted and we can longer protect ourselves against free radicals, infections or cancer and we cannot get rid of toxins. This leads to further sickness and soon we are in the downward spiral of chronic illness.
Glutathione is also critical in helping your immune system do its job of fighting infections and preventing cancer. It is also the most integral and critical part of your detoxification system. All the toxins stick onto glutathione, which then carries them into the bile and the stool and out of your body. Glutathione also helps us reach peak mental and physical function. Research has shown that raised glutathione levels decrease muscle damage, reduces recovery time, increases strength and endurance and shifts metabolism from fat production to muscle development.
Keeping yourself healthy, boosting your performance, preventing disease and aging well depends on keeping your glutathione levels high. It is critical for immune function and controlling inflammation. It is the master detoxifier and the body’s main antioxidant, protecting our cells and making our energy metabolism run well.
In our next blog article I will share 9 Tips to Optimize your Glutathione Levels.