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What is glutathione?

Glutathione is a universal antioxidant found in every cell. It can be produced in the body, usually by the liver, with the right amino acids from our diet – glycine, cysteine and glutamic acid or we consume it in the diet mainly from fruits and vegetables. We can also take it in supplement form to top up our levels when there is additional demand. The role of glutathione in the body is to neutralise free radicals (oxidative stress) and help to reduce inflammation, it also helps to support the immune system and to aid detoxification pathways.

Glutathione: A key player in autoimmunity

It has long been known that oxidative stress and inflammation can be drivers of autoimmune disease. A review published in Autoimmunity Reviews back in 2009 demonstrates clearly that glutathione plays a role in each of these, yet we know that glutathione and its system for recycling antioxidants can become easily overwhelmed by excessive demand and low levels of substrates in the diet. This makes it a potentially important therapeutic, particularly in those with autoimmune disorders.

This review is worthy of note as it details these key mechanisms by which glutathione is important to immune processes. The effect of glutathione on the regulation of the synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules makes it a key player in the pathophysiology of autoimmune diseases. This review demonstrated that in individuals with chronic inflammation or immune mediated disorders, low glutathione levels can facilitate further amplification of the inflammatory cascade and this then has a knock-on effect to perpetuate inflammation and tissue destruction. Glutathione has a dose dependent inhibitive effect on these pathways and processes and therefore supplementation may be beneficial in those with autoimmune disease.

This review also made note of the impact of inflammation on oxidative stress and therefore glutathione status. Common therapeutics to reduce inflammation (in this case NSAIDs) resulted in improved glutathione concentrations in the blood. This would indicate that any actions that reduce inflammatory processes will also reduce demands on the glutathione to quench the results of that inflammation and so higher concentrations will be available for other immune processes. Once again this highlights the importance of keeping inflammation at a minimum for those with autoimmune conditions.

Key nutrients for increasing glutathione levels

Beginning with adequate protein in the diet is a great place to start with ensuring the body is receiving enough of the starter materials, i.e. amino acids, to make its own glutathione. When we are exposed to higher levels of toxins, free radicals or inflammation then there is an increased demand for glutathione and you may find yourself needing to support your glutathione levels.

Glutathione

Glutathione can be taken supplementally in liposomal or non-liposomal forms, and both have been shown to be effective in increasing blood levels of glutathione. Whilst liposomal glutathione may act faster, non-liposomal options can be a better value choice to support glutathione levels.

Milk thistle

Milk thistle has been shown to increase glutathione levels in the blood as well as increasing glutathione peroxidase enzyme activity and glutathione S-transferase activity. Combined with its additional liver support benefits this makes it an ideal support for both the liver and your glutathione levels.

Alpha lipoic acid

Alpha lipoic acid is itself a powerful antioxidant that can support oxidative stress and inflammation. It also helps to restore intracellular glutathione levels and makes an excellent addition to a glutathione support regime.

Selenium

Selenium is a key component of Glutathione S-transferase, an antioxidant enzyme that is key to the effects of glutathione in the body. As many people struggle to consume adequate amounts of selenium, it is worth considering increasing levels in those looking to support glutathione.

For more information on raising glutathione levels in the body health professionals can watch our free of charge webinar with Jo Gamble.

References:
1. Perricone, Carlo, Caterina De Carolis, and Roberto Perricone. "Glutathione: A key player in autoimmunity." Autoimmunity Reviews 8.8 (2009): 697-701.

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