An Introduction to Glutathione

Glutathione is a powerful intracellular antioxidant. As some amount of glutathione is present in every cell, it is called the master antioxidant. Glutathione, GSH serves many roles in the human body. Starting with neutralizing free radicals, glutathione protects cells from oxidative stress and disease.
Glutathione is produced by the body and studies have shown that taking synthetic glutathione does not effectively raise levels of glutathione. The only effective way to raise the levels of glutathione is to ensure the precursors are present for proper synthesis.
To ensure a healthy you, it is essential to maintain the highest levels of glutathione possible. Glutathione not only protects your cells but also serves vital roles in other vital functions within the human body.

Glutathione is tripeptide consisting of three amino acids; glutamates, cysteine, and glycine. It is from these three amino acids that glutathione is produced by our body. The liver synthesizes GSH and then releases it into the bloodstream. Glutathione can exist in the body as two forms. As a single cell molecule called reduced glutathione and as a two cell molecule joined together called oxidized glutathione. These two forms of glutathione are key to its vital role as an antioxidant. Maintaining high levels of glutathione are essential for long term health.

There are numerous processes that occur in our cells every day. These chemical reactions are required for the necessities of life; such as the metabolic breakdown of foods into energy. Through natural processes the necessities of life are produced, there are also by-products created. These, unfortunately, are not beneficial to our health.
One of the most dangerous by-products of these naturally occurring processes is free radicals. Free radicals are highly unstable molecules that have the ability to damage and even destroy cells. They damage cells as the free radical, missing an electron, seeks out an additional electron by stealing it from a healthy cell. This transfer of electron stabilizes the free radical but damages the cell.
The purpose of an antioxidant is it will stabilize and neutralize the free radical without harming any cells. Glutathione is very powerful and effective in eliminating free radicals through its multiple states. The reduced form of glutathione is available in all cells. It is ready to serve as an antioxidant and neutralize free radical before any cellular damage can be done.
An example of this happens in red blood cells where glutathione reduces peroxides. Lack of glutathione in the red blood cell would allow the peroxide to attack the plasma membranes of the red blood cells. This attack would eventually decompose the red blood cell. The presence of glutathione eliminates this attack and maintains healthy red blood cells.

Glutathione also has other important functions within the human body. In the kidneys, glutathione acts as a transporter. The glutathione carries amino acids to across cell membranes and into the cells, helping to deliver the amino acids more readily to the cells than without glutathione present.
In addition to protecting cells from damage and disease, glutathione has a prominent role in the protection of DNA. Glutathione functions as an enzyme in the formation of deoxyribonucleotides. These are the building blocks of DNA.
Glutathione also acts as a natural detoxifier. It joins with drugs to make them more water soluble. In this role, glutathione helps to detoxify the body of toxins. Glutathione is essential for the detoxification of acetaminophen, as excess amounts of acetaminophen in the blood can be detrimental to your health.
Glutathione also plays a prominent role in strengthening the immune system. It is through the immune system that our body has the ability to combat disease and stay healthy. Glutathione participates in the synthesis of leukotrienes. These are the molecules which help to regulate the immune response.

Many studies have been conducted researching the most effective and safest way to increase levels of glutathione. They have found that taking oral glutathione supplements offer no increase in the level of glutathione in the body. It has linked to enzymes in our digestive system, which breaks down glutathione and releases the amino acids. The digestive break down of the glutathione does not leave available the correct precursors for glutathione production.
Conversely, it has been proven through multiple studies that the most effective way to increase levels of glutathione in the body is to increase the amino acid intake required for synthesis. Having a under-natured whey protein has been found to be the most effective. Of the whey proteins available, research has shown Triotein to be the safest, highest quality and most effective at raising glutathione levels.
Through its lactose-free whey, Triotein is able to deliver the three amino acids, glutamate, cysteine and glycine allowing the proper synthesis of glutathione. Taken on a regular basis, studies have shown immediate and substantial increases in glutathione levels as well as overall wellbeing.