Natural Ways to Increase your Glutathione
Glutathione, is “the Mother of all Antioxidants”, says Mark Hyman MD. This powerhouse molecule has 139,000 peer reviewed scientific articles. It is one of the best detoxifiers helping rid body of all the environmental toxins, artificial chemicals, drugs and radiation used in large quantities today.
It is now recognized that an alarming rate of people are glutathione deficient; causing pre-mature aging, infections and dysfunction to all our organ systems.
Glutathione (GSH) is essential to maintaining a healthy immune system, every cell in the body can produce it but it needs the correct foods and amino acids to create it!
GSH is composed of three main amino acids, glutamine, cysteine and glycine.
Glutathione Deficiency Symptoms
- Increased susceptibility to infections, colds and diseases
- Anemia, low hemoglobin or iron in the blood cells
- Buildup of too much acid in body (metabolic acidosis), which creates the perfect storm for disease and cancer
- Brain issues like seizures, loss of intellectual disability and loss of coordination.
- Lowered immune system response to fight off diseases, viruses and bacteria.
According to Italian researchers in Genoa, Department of Experimental Medicine, GSH deficiency causes cells to be more vulnerable to oxidative stress, contributing to cancer development.
In fact, much of new research is crediting the increase of neurological diseases to low amounts of GSH in the body.
Benefits of Increased Glutathione (GSH)
- Reduces oxidative stress: these are by -products called free radicals, they occur during normal daily metabolism of the body, from environmental toxins and by radiation.
- For diabetics, it increases resistance to insulin; and it helps with weight management by increasing fat burning and fat storage.
- Helps with peripheral artery disease by increasing clogged leg circulation.
- Plays a crucial role in building the immune system to help fight disease, infections and fight off toxic free radical cells.
- Can reduce cell damage in alcoholic and non- alcoholic fatty liver disease by improving protein and enzyme levels.
- Fights inflammation due to the high antioxidant level in GSH and its detoxifying capabilities.
Tips for Increasing Your Glutathione
It has been found that the body at times has trouble absorbing GSH from foods, except for sulfur containing foods which are higher in amino acids.
Sulfur containing foods are broccoli, garlic, asparagus, kale, spinach and avocados.
Exercise can improve your GSH level and improves detoxification and increases antioxidant levels.
N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) boosts GSH levels; it also helps with thinning bronchial mucus and respiratory attacks. Foods with high sulfur content contain NAC like broccoli, Brussel sprouts and cauliflower.
Alpha Lipoic acid (ALA) improves insulin sensitivity and reduces symptoms of diabetic neuropathy, helping to restore glutathione levels. ALA is found in very small amounts in food like organ meat, spinach, beets and tomatoes.
Selenium is a very important mineral in producing more GSH, increasing longevity, boosting your immune system, helping your thyroid and lowering your risk for cancer.
Vitamins B6, B12 and folate all helps create more natural GSH.