Dr. Lam Author of
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Michael Lam, MD, MPH
www.DrLam.com
Before You Begin
Information presented here is for general
educational purposes only. Each one of us is biochemically and metabolically
different. If you have a specific health concern and wish my personalized
nutritional recommendation, write to me by clicking
here. |
Excessive oxidative stress is the primary cause of premature aging and chronic degenerative disease. It also contributes to a host of sub-clinical dysfunctions such as chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and adrenal fatigue. The body’s aging and decompensation rate increases when it is exposed to excessive amounts of external compoundsg substances such as toxins, sugars, stress, viruses, bacteria, and other insulting substances. To neutralize such undesirable effect, the body has natural antioxidants available, one of which is glutathione.
When a person experiences an increase in oxidative stress, the levels of glutathione in the cells drop. Death of cells is closely related to low levels of intracellular glutathione since the drop in glutathione levels is a necessary precursor to the death of cells. Unhealthy cells are compromised in their abilities to produce the adequate amounts of glutathione that the body needs to protect against harmful external toxins or free radicals.
The body battles all these substances on the cellular level and the effect could be catastrophic if the process is hampered in any way. Glutathione provides protection by neutralizing reductions of oxidative damage by toxins and pathogens, and supporting the immune system. Aside from these protective functions, it also maintains transport of amino acids, looks after enzyme activation of glutathione and peroxidase, and sustains DNA, protein and prostaglandin synthesis. It is therefore a key nutrient in the combat against degenerative diseases, cancer, infection, and adrenal fatigue where the body is rapidly decompensating.
As an intracellular compound, glutathione is unmatched in its capacity to fight diseases, boost immunity, neutralize toxins, and host anti-aging functions. This goes further in its capacity to prevent diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, AIDS, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, hepatitis, chronic fatigue, high cholesterol, macular degeneration, IBS, psoriasis, and stroke.
Glutathione is the most powerful antioxidant at the intracellular level. It always works with Vitamin C, which is a key antioxidant in the extracellular level. The two work hand in hand. Glutathione detoxifies harmful chemicals such as lead, mercury, xenobiotics, toxic metabolites, and pesticides that have accumulated in the body. Maintaining sufficient glutathione levels is one of the key and powerful lines of defense against cellular death.
Aside from being a potent anti-oxidant, glutathione is also considered a powerful detoxifier. It acts as the immune system’s super fluid; a source of organic sulfur; maintains the integrity of proteins accrual disulphide bonds; aids in repairing DNA; and is an electron exchanger is most redox reactions.
Glutathione and Vitamin C work synergisticaloly in keeping the body’s defenses strong. Glutathione recharges nutrients such as carnitine, vitamin E, and alpha lipoic in some conditions. After performing its antioxidant function, Vitamin C is recycled while accompanying glutathione. This makes glutathione a part of the recycling chain in the body that allows it to reuse natural compounds without decreasing the benefits derived by the body. Glutathione is therefore called the master recycler.
Electron Flow
Glutathione promotes the healthy flow of electrons and its steady supply in the cells of the body. This is where its effectiveness stems from. To put it succinctly, hindering the flow of electrons or robbing the cell of electrons is detrimental for health. When the flow of electrons is abundant and smooth, cells are healthy and have a higher longevity rate. The poor flow of electrons corresponds to low energy, higher disease rates, and low cell integrity. Normally, cell death happens when there is a low flow of electrons. Glutathione donates electrons to the body’s anti-oxidant pool. This includes anti-oxidants such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E, alpha-lipoic acid, and super oxide dismutase (SOD). Glutathione neutralizes disease-causing oxidants and is capable of eliminating heavy metals. By protecting the body from free radicals and pathogenic attacks it is keeping the cellular structure intact. In addition, it protects the body from ion rising radiation.
Almost all disease and toxins cause death and sickness by stealing electrons. This is why chronic diseases are always in congruence with depleted electrons. Conditions such as chronic fatigue and adrenal fatigue are part of a spectrum of low energy state where the body's energy output is reduce.Electrons in the body are the fuel of life and are responsible for generating energy necessary to sustain life. To achieve optimum health and reverse these low energy state, a good flow of electrons is necessary. The principal antioxidants, glutathione, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E, all work together in a synergistic fashion to replenish cells depleted of electrons. They help each other in supplying electrons to the cells of the body, leading to cellular recovery.
Glutathione keeps Vitamin C in an electron donating state by its recycling effect. The presence of sulfhyl group in glutathione gives a greater antioxidant protection than what could be given by Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and alpha lipoic acid alone. Glutathione retains its high concentration inside the cell and plays an important role in recharging Vitamin C. To reciprocate the role of glutathione, Vitamin C alleviates the effect of glutathione deficiency and cellular death. When the body has an optimum level of Vitamin C, it aids in increasing the level of glutathione and in easing cell damage due to glutathione deficiency. Vitamin C and glutathione work synergistically wherein one supports and enhances the function of the other.
Glutathione also increases the Vitamin E levels of the body. Aside from this it also oxidizes and recharges Vitamin E, along with carnitine and lipoic acid.
Glutathione has other functions that are helpful for the body. It defends the brain from oxidative stress, helps the heart in preventing psoriasis, and reduces the risk for a heart attack. It lowers down high blood pressure as well. The circulation system needs sufficient levels of glutathione to maintain a healthy heart. Working together with Vitamin C also helps in curing hepatitis. Studies have also shown that by increasing intracellular glutathione levels, longevity increased from 20% to 40%. The glutathione levels decrease with age and those persons who have high levels of glutathione live healthier and longer lives. It was shown that individuals who live more than 100 years have higher glutathione levels than the elderly under 100 years old.
How to Boost glutathione Level
Glutathione is considered a free amino acid peptide. It is very sensitive to digestive enzymes when taken orally as it is denatured in the stomach even before entering the blood stream. People have tried to take glutathione through supplements and nutrients that aim to supply the body with the required amino acid building blocks. In the synthesis of glutathione, it has also aimed to support the enzymatic formation of chemical bonds and metabolic uses. These compounds include alpha lipoic acid, acetyl cysteine, glutamine, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, whey, and selenium. However, as mentioned earlier, because gastric acids tend to break down these precursors quickly, they become ineffective once ingested and therefore is a poor way of boosting glutathione level. Ordinary orally administered glutathione or its precursors by tablets or capsules have shown no significant increase in plasma levels.
However, it could be administered intravenously into the blood stream and this has proven to be a more effective process. However, this process is time consuming and highly expensive. Recent advances in technology have dramatically improved the bio-availability of glutathione through a special oral liposomal delivery form. In this process, glutathione is encapsulated in lipsomomes and is delivered by liquid form orally. By-pasing the stomch, such liiposomal encapsulated glutathione is absorbed in the small intestine and transported to the circulatory system directly with the use of nanotechnology.
Liposomal encapsulation technology assures high absorption of glutathione directly into the bloodstream and ultimately to the cell. It prevents gastrointestinal destruction and is capable of delivering the glutathione directly by targeting the intracellular space. Using nanotechnology for liposomal delivery requires less energy in delivering the glutathione into the cells directly because it no longer requires the energy for assimulation.Early research shows glutathione that is delivered with a liposomal oral system also increases the content of glutathione in the intra cellular sub components like mitochondria and nuclei. When combined with Vitamin C, it improves the antioxidant and electron donating capacity of both under normal or even IV routes based on early antedodal evidence. Thus, administration of liposomal encapsulated glutathione along with its synergistic co-factors could potentially be superior to IV infused glutathione.
Summary
A healthy life is dependent on sufficient levels of antioxidants in the cellular composition of the body. The two most important antioxidants of the body are glutathione and Vitamin C. Glutathione is an anti-aging agent that has the capacity to restore the organs of the body to a healthy state. It also has the capability to recycle other nutrients. Restoring depleted levels of glutathione ensures that the body is in good health. Glutathione is important to persons who suffer from chronic fatigue, hypothyroidism, infection, cancer, adrenal fatigue, fibromyalgia, and too much emotional stress. This is also good for those who are weak from having less energy.
For optimum health, there should be adequate levels of the antioxidant glutathione at all times in the body. The best method in delivering glutathione into the cells is through oral liposome delivery system or intravenously. Taking glutathione precursors orally by capsule or powder do not work well. Oral glutathione is best liposomalized together with its co-factor such as lipoic acid and carnitine. It is best taken in congruence with a liposomalized Vitamin C.
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About The Author
Michael Lam, M.D., M.P.H., A.B.A.A.M. is a specialist in Preventive and Anti-Aging Medicine. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Oregon State University, and his Doctor of Medicine degree from Loma Linda University School of Medicine, California. He also holds a Masters of Public Health degree and is Board Certification in Anti-aging Medicine by the American Board of Anti-Aging Medicine. He has authored numerous articles and the following books: The Five Proven Secrets to Longevity, How to Stay Young and Live Longer, Estrogen Dominance - Hormonal Imbalance of the 21st Century, and Beating Cancer with Natural Medicine.
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©2009 Michael
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