Glutathione Benefits and Definition

It turns out that glutathione is one of the most powerful, adaptable, and essential antibiotics produced by the human body.

If you’re into natural health and wellness, you’ve probably noticed that there’s been a lot of buzz about glutathione (pronounced “gloot-a-thigh-own”) lately. So, why is this supplement suddenly getting so much attention? What are glutathione benefits?

Although the body produces glutathione naturally, there are a whole host of lifestyle and diet factors that can drain the level of glutathione in your body. Unfortunately, low glutathione levels a significant contributor to oxidative stress, and that spells bad news for your overall health in many ways.

Let’s dig a little deeper into what it is, what the glutathione benefits are, why you need it, and how you can get more of it in your life.

What are Glutathione Benefits?

Glutathione is a molecule that is naturally produced by plants, animals, and human beings. Every single cell in our bodies produces glutathione. It’s an incredibly powerful antioxidant that helps to detoxify the body and activate enzymes. As one of the potent antioxidants known to modern science, glutathione is essential for reducing oxidative stress that leads to aging and disease.

Why do You Need Glutathione?

When your body contains more free radicals than it does antioxidants, it causes oxidative stress.

Glutathione is an antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals, and when glutathione levels are low, the result is damage to cells, tissue, and DNA throughout the body. When your cells are damaged by oxidative stress, inflammation and pain are an unfortunate result.

In addition, damage to your cells and DNA can also lead to autoimmune issues and possibly even certain types of cancer. Oxidative stress actually accelerates the aging process, and it’s harmful to the liver, preventing it from detoxifying the body properly.

Here are some of the most common health issues people with low glutathione levels may experience:

• Joint/muscle pain
• Weakened immune response
• Higher risk of cardiac, liver, and/or kidney disease
• Autoimmune issues
• Increased risk of neurological disorders, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s
• Low energy and a sluggish metabolism
• Insomnia
• Lack of focus and brain fog
• Increased risk of certain cancers
• Asthma
• Arthritis

What Causes Glutathione Depletion?

The primary causes of glutathione depletion in the body are radiation, Wi-Fi exposure, sickness, infections, poor diet, environmental toxins and pollution, chronic stress, overindulgence in alcohol, and the natural aging process.

With the poor diet and the hectic lifestyle that most of us have these days, it’s no wonder that low glutathione levels have become a more widely recognized health and wellness issue. Thankfully, there are several ways to boost your glutathione levels, no matter what age you are.

How Can You Get More Glutathione?

Studies show that maintaining high levels of glutathione in the body promotes better physical and mental health. In fact, there’s no scientific evidence to show that you can have too much glutathione in your body. Boosting glutathione is an actionable step that anyone can take to improve their overall health.

IV Drip

If you suspect that your glutathione levels are low (and for most of us they probably are), the most effective way to get you feeling better fast is with a glutathione IV drip. Getting your glutathione through an IV means that it’s absorbed directly into your bloodstream, where it can do the most good right away. Since this is a nutritional therapy (rather than a medical treatment), it can be administered by a qualified internal medicine practitioner in a clinic setting.

Exercise

It takes time to build up the glutathione levels in your body naturally, but it can be done. There is some evidence that shows exercising for 40 minutes a day, a minimum of three times per week will increase your glutathione levels. You should follow each workout with a serving a whey protein to get the most benefit. Cysteine is an essential building block of glutathione, and it comes from whey protein.

Sleep

As we’ve already mentioned, stress is a significant contributor to glutathione depletion. Chronic insomnia also contributes to oxidative stress, which depletes glutathione. Getting extra rest is essential if you want to increase your levels naturally. If you have trouble sleeping, consider taking an all-natural sleep remedy like melatonin about an hour before bedtime.

Nutrition

You can also make changes in your diet to naturally support your glutathione levels. Sulfur rich foods like onions, garlic, kale, broccoli, and most lean meats are essential for glutathione production. Your diet should focus on lean protein and lots of veggies for the best results.

And finally, there are some supplements that may be helpful. You can add a vitamin C supplement to your daily regimen to boost glutathione levels naturally. Vitamin C is vital for many functions in the body, but it’s also an antioxidant in its own right. It can actually help convert oxidized glutathione back into a usable form.

Curcumin (from turmeric) has been shown to boost glutathione levels, but you have to take it in a highly-concentrated form to be effective. Milk thistle can also be beneficial because it boosts glutathione in the body and helps protect the liver, which struggles when glutathione levels are depleted.

The Takeaway

While it’s clear that low glutathione levels can have a significant impact on your overall health, there are several ways to boost the glutathione levels in your body. Taking steps to increase levels of this crucial antioxidant should be a top priority for anyone who is interested in improving their health naturally.