Glutathione, you can’t live without it!
Yes Master.
Glutathione is our master antioxidant created by OUR own body but sometimes we may need a little supplemental help. Glutathione helps build immune resiliance, fights oxidative stress, helps with detoxification in the liver and maintains optimal cellular function. Those are pretty big upstream functions that if not optimal, our bodies can not work optimally.
Almost all chronic illnesses have some form of oxidative stress to its root and glutathione is the KEY to reducing that damage.
Glutathione levels can be reduced in the body by many factors
Stress
Mold toxicity (mycotoxins)
Oxidative stress
Alcohol
Smoking
Heavy metal burden
Aging
Poor diet (especially high heat cooking and consuming refined vegetable oils)
I decided to write this article due to the importance of maintaining our immune health at this critical time and because of the abundance of wildfires this year in BC. Every summer in BC we seem to get a cluster of fires that fill the sky with smoke and overwork our amazing firemen and firewomen, and this year (2021) is no exception. In fact, it’s probably the worst year ever. The smoke from wildfires increases oxidative stress and lowers our immune function when we breathe it in. I wish that every firewoman and fireman would consider looking into supplementation of liposomal glutathione or NAC and see if it could be right for them. I always have bottles on hand for myself and my family if the fiery skies become thick with smoke. Remember, the dose makes the poison when it comes to environmental pollutants such as smoke and accumulation over the years is what creates dis-ease in the body.
As for glutathione supplementation and Alzheimer’s disease and prevention, there have been many studies showing that one of the roots to Alzheimer’s disease is oxidative stress. As we age, glutathione reserves decrease and we become more susceptible to oxidative damage and can no longer repair the damage with our own natural glutathione, that is where considering supplemental glutathione could help. Please refer to links below for more information on Alzheimer’s and the important role of supplemental glutathione.
Glutathione (GSH) is used for many reasons
Toxin elimination
Cellular protection from stress and poor diet
Supports healthy inflammatory response
Supports mitochondria production
Strengthens immunity
Necessary for brain health
Alzheimer’s prevention
Endometriosis/ gut health
Glutathione’s reserves are mostly stored in our liver, so if our liver is not functioning properly our glutathione stores may be impacted. It’s like this; poor liver function = low GSH = sub-optimal cellular function = sub-optimal human = increased chance of dis-ease. Stressful daily life from poor air quality, forest fires, mind stress and physical stress can deplete our glutathione storages quickly.
It is recommended by most Functional Medicine Practitioners to use the liposomal form of glutathione in capsules or liquid (I like Chris Shades from Quick Silver or Pure Formulas) or you can choose to take NAC; a building block made up of specific amino acids that help support the natural production of glutathione.
NAC also has many other benefits
Aids in the production of glutathione
Helps remove excess estrogen
Strengthens immune health
Helps with respiratory conditions such as COPD, asthma and bronchial inflammation
It is a biofilm buster for mold and candida *
Prevents oxidative damage
Inhibits replication of RNA viruses
Helps prevent the flu
Protects the lungs
Is mucus thinner
* Biofilm from mold and candida is a protective barrier that enables the mold and candida to flourish in the body and keep us sub-optimal. NAC helps break down that biofilm in order to “Free up” the mold and candida and get removed from your body. It is important to sweat and keep our detoxification system optimal so that we can remove toxins from our body. I am adding this information in because if you do have underlying mold or candida when you start taking NAC you can possibly feel crappy because you are breaking down that biofilm. Please connect with your practitioner to help create an anti-fungal plan for you if you show positive mycotoxins from mold or an overgrowth of candida.
Please note that any supplement you are considering taking should be discussed with your health care practitioner. Supplements are powerful and I encourage you to do your own research on anything you are taking. Always check in after a certain amount of time with your health care provider to see if you still need to be taking a specific supplement. Please take responsibly optimal health seekers, always question!
As for glutathione some people have a hard time taking liposomal glutathione and NAC due to their specific health conditions such as, SIBO, histamine intolerance, high glutamate or for people that cannot break down sulfur-containing compounds. It is recommended to start with a low dose and see if it gives you headaches and/or causes anxiety. If it does, you can always lower the dose or not take it at all. There are many other ways to support your body from oxidative stress such as sauna bathing, exercise, sleep and a healthy diet. Just by removing rancid seed/vegetable oils and alcohol from your diet you are reducing oxidative stress which helps keep your glutathione reserves for emergencies that are out of your control.
This is not a supplement I take all of the time, however I will go months taking it and then leaving it for a while. If I know my immune is low, I have much less energy or I am around a lot of environmental toxins such as smoke from wildfires, I will up my game and start taking NAC or Liposomal glutathione.
Links and Studies
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4744393/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9230243/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XhldPhEcik
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24496077/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925443911002262
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4079069/