The Effects Of A Glutathione ShortageGlutathione is the master antioxidant and protector of all our cells. When our glutathione levels start dropping , inflammation and aging starts. Learn the effects of a glutathione shortage and most major diseases can be associated with low glutathione levels.Without Glutathione, every cell in your body would die prematurely from it’s own waste products. Without Glutathione your entire defense immune system wools surrender to the first virus you encountered and cease to function. Without Glutathione, your liver, which cleanses all the toxins you ingest or inhale and acts as a washing machine, could no longer cleanse any poison or toxin, as Glutathione is in a sense, the detergent for the washing machine. Reviewing the following list of conditions impacted by decreased levels of Glutathione may give you a deeper appreciation for all it does to preserve and support health: CONSEQUENCES OF DECREASED GLUTATHIONE MEDICAL CONDITIONS~ Obesity ~ Immune signaling ~ Endothelial dysfunction ~ Alcoholism~ Inflammation ~ Heavy metal poisoning CARDIOVASCULAR~ Angina and spastic angina ~ Unstable angina ~ Heart attacks ~ Positive stress tests~ Reperfusion after cardiac bypass surgery PULMONARY~ Emphysema (COPD) ~ Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) ~ Asthma ~ Muscle wasting in COPD~ Chronic bronchitis ~ Tobacco abuse NEUROPSYCH~ Migraine headaches ~ Alzheimer’s ~ Parkinson’s ~ Multi infarct dementia ~ Autism~ ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) ~ Bipolar disease ~ Schizophrenia~ Lou Geri’s disease ~ Huntington’s chorea ~ Multiple Sclerosis (MS) ~ Depression OPHTHALMOLOGY~ Cataracts ~ Macular Degeneration INFECTIOUS DISEASE/IMMUNOLOGY~ Hepatitis A, B, and C ~ Herpes simplex ~ Herpes zoster/shingles ~ Influenza and Bird Flu ~ HIV ~ MRSA ~ Common viral infections (upper respiratory, gastroenteritis) ~ Others RHEUMATOLOGY~ Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) ~ Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)~ Multiple Sclerosis (MS) ~ Systemic Sclerosis (Scleroderma) Syndrome ~ Behcet’s Syndrome ~ ME/CFS ~ Fibromyalgia ~ Others DERMATOLOGY~ Wrinkles, sagging ~ Acne ~ Psoriasis ~ Atopic dermatitis ~ Eczema ~ Others ONCOLOGY Every cancer studied including:~ Brain ~ Head and neck ~ Thyroid ~ Lung ~ Esophagus ~ Stomach ~ Intestine ~ Liver ~ Pancreas ~ Kidney ~ Uterine ~ Ovarian ~ Prostate ~ Leukemia (acute and chronic)~ Lymphoma ~ Multiple myeloma ~ OthersOB/GYN ~ Infertility ~ Spontaneous abortions ~ Pre Menstrual Syndrome Glutathione in Health and DiseaseIt is believed that glutathione has an important role to play in the prevention and treatment of disease. It may in the future be considered as important to health as an alkaline diet, exercise and alkaline lifestyle. Clinical tests show that raised glutathione levels may address some of the eight major health issues of our time: 1) Cardiovascular- Prevents heart disease - - Prevents stroke - - Prevents atherosclerosis - Glutathione Improves Hemostatic and Hemorrheological Parameters in Atherosclerotic Subject. - Reverses arteriosclerosis - Prevents reperfusion injury 2) Cancer- Cancer causing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been found to alter levels of glutathione compounds in experiments, which may alter the body’s resistance to certain types of cancer. Glutathione deficiencies have been linked to many forms of cancer.- Prevents cancerous tissue- Suppresses tumor growth- Eliminates carcinogen - acids- Retards oxidative stress- Prevents wasting disease- Eases side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy 3) Pulmonary Glutathione is the most efficient free radical (acid) scavenger in the airways, and dozens of studies have confirmed that free radical (acid) damage is a primary player in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Rahman I, MacNee W. Oxidative Stress and Regulation of Glutathione in Lung Inflammation. Eur Respir J. 2000 Sep; 16(3):534-54. - Breaks up mucus - Rahman I, MacNee W. Oxidative Stress and Regulation of Glutathione in Lung Inflammation. Eur Respir J. 2000 Sep; 16(3):534-54 - Cystic fibrosis - Glutathione neutralized harmful oxidants introduced into the lungs or those released by cells. Exotoxins from bacteria can overload the endobronchial terrain and feed the fires of acidic inflammation. This staggering burden increases the oxidative sensitivity of the CF lung, resulting in further injury of lung parenchyma. Data supports evidence of a decrease in the antioxidant tri-peptide glutathione (Roum JH, Buhl R, McElvaney NG, et al. Systemic Deficiency of Glutathione in Cystic Fibrosis. J Appl Physiol 1993; 75:19-24). - Asthma - Chronic bronchitis - Emphysema - Lamson, David, MD, Grignall, Matthew, ND. The use of Nebulized Glutathione in the Treatment of Emphysema: A Case Report. Altern Med Review. 5(5);429-431, 2000 Oct. - Pulmonary fibrosis - Ishii T, Fujishiro M, Nakajima J, Teramoto S, Ouchi Y, Matsuse T. Depletion of Glutathione S-Transferase P1 Induces Apoptosis in Huamn Lung Fibroblasts. 4) Aging- Glutathione is critically important to our brain as it is one of the most important brain antioxidants.- Glutathione helps preserve brain tissue by preventing damage from free radicals (acids).- In addition to quenching dangerous acids, glutathione also acts to recycle vitamin E which also has the ability to reduce acidity in the brain. - Autism - Medical literature documents that an out-fection can lead to a lowering of glutathione which participates in detoxification, interacts with metallothioneins, and supports many crucial aspects of immunity. A link between glutathione and autism regression may derive from the fact that transient or chronic intestinal problems can impair an infant’s or toddler’s nutritional status, thereby minimizing the levels of amino-acids required for the production of glutathione - Parkinson’s Disease - Glutathione helps to preserve brain tissue by preventing damage from free radicals (acids) and destructive chemicals formed by the normal processes of metabolism, toxic elements in the environment, and as a normal response of the body to challenges by acidic agents or other stresses. With the understanding that glutathione is important for brain protection and that this protection many be lacking in the brains of Parkinson’s clients due to glutathione deficiency, it can be seen as very beneficial. - Alzheimer’s Disease - Woltjer, R.L., Hgheim W., Maezawa I., Vaisar T, Montine K.S., Montine T.J., Role of Glutathione in Intracellular Amyloid-Alpha Recursor Protein/Carboxy- Terminal Fragment Aggregation and Associated Cytotoxicity. J Neurochem. 2005 May; 93 (4): 1047-56. - Huntington’s Disease - Choo Y.S., Mao Z, Johnson GV, Lesort M. Increased Glutathione Levels In Cortical Striatal Mitochondria of the R6/2 Huntington’s Disease Mouse Model. Neuroscience Letter. 2005 Sep 23; 386(1): 63-8. - Multiple Sclerosis - Calabrese V, Scapaginini G, Ravagna A, Bella R, Butterfield DA, Calvani M, Pennisi G, Giuffrida Stella AM. Disruption of Thiol Homeostasis and Nitrostative Stress in the Cerebrospinal Fluid of Patients with Active Multiple Sclerosis: Evidence for a Protective Role of Acetylcarnitine. 2003 Sep; 28(9): 1321-8. Mann CL, Davies MB, Aldersea J, Fryer AA, Jones PK, Ko Ko C, Young C, Strange RC, Hawkins CP. Glutathione S-Transferase Polymorphisms in MS: Their Relationship to Disability. Neurology. 2000 Feb 8;54(3):542-7. - ALS - Tohgi H, Abe T, Yamazaki K, Murata T, Ishizake E, Isobe C. Increase in Oxidized Products and Reduction in Oxidized Glutathione in Cerborospinal Fluid From Patients with Sporadic Form of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Neurosci Lett. 1999 Feb 5; 260(3):204-6. - Cataract formation - Macular degeneration - Cancers of aging - Prostate problems - Osteoarthritis - Hammarqvist F, Luo JL, cotgreave IA, Andersson K, and Wernerman J. Skeletal Muscle Glutathione is depleted in Critically Ill Patients. Crit Care Med. 25(1):78-84 1997 Jan. 5) Digestive- Inflammatory bowel disease- Hepatitis- Malnutrition- Pancratititis- Peptic ulcer 6) Toxicology- Detoxifies certain drug overdoses - Acetaminophen has been shown to reduce glutathione production, thus paving the way for enhanced brain destruction by metabolic acids. (Perlmutter D. July 2004, 5th ed:108)- Detoxifies substances in cigarette smoke and auto exhaust - Rahman I, MacNee W. Lung Glutathione and Oxidative Stress: Implications In Cigarette Smoke-Induced Airway Disease. Am J Physiol. 277(6 Pt 1); 1067-88, 1999 Dec.- Detoxifies pollutants including heavy metals and pesticides- Elevated glutathione levels have been shown to protect tissue form lipid peroxidation created by exposure to certain metals. Consider infusions of glutathione to relieve the body burden of both neurotoxins and metal toxicity, including mercury. (Foster, JS. Kane PC, Speight N. The Detoxx Book. 2002;90)- Prevents hearing loss from noise pollution- Detoxifies many well-known carcinogens 7) Immunology- Anti-viral for AIDS, hepatitis, herpes, etc. - Low glutathione levels in HIV clients may contribute to their immune deficiency since glutathione plays an important role in the function of lymphocytes. Some lymphocytes require adequate levels of glutathione in order to function normally, and HIV induces oxidative stress that depletes the cells of glutathione. Townsend DM, Tew KD, Tapero H. The Importance of Glutathione in Human Disease. Biomed Pharmacother. 2003 May-June;57(3-4):145-55. Droge W, Holm E. Role of Cysteine and Glutathione in HIV Infection and other Diseases Associated with Muscle Wasting and Immunological Dysfunction. FASEB J, 11(13):1077-89 1997 Nov. - Lyme Disease - Lyme disease is a seriously complex multi-system acidic inflammatory condition that is triggered by bacterial exotoxins. Glutathione helps to remove exotoxic and/or mycotoxic acids by forming a soluble compound with them, which can then be excreted through the urine or gut. (Can Glutathione Help Lyme disease Suffers? Excerpt from: The Glutathione Report: Opitmal Health with the Master Antioxidant, Issue 4, Volume 1, May 2004).- Natural antibiotic - Chronic fatigue syndrome - An article in the journal of Medical Hypothesis proposed that glutathione, an antioxidant essential for lymphocyte function, may be depleted in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients. Glutathione is needed for both the immune system and for aerobic muscular contraction. The authors proposed that glutathione depletion by an activated immune system also causes the muscular fatigue and myalgia associated with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (Bounous et al. 1999). Metabolic- Athletic enhancement- Decreases recovery time from physical stress- Supports hemoglobin in kidney failure- Diabetes - The blood and tissues of diabetics are marked by critically low glutathione levels. Glutathione depletion may have adverse consequences in diabetic clients independent of glycemic control, and it may weaken the defense against oxidative stress. De Mattia G, Bravi MC, Laurenti O, Cassone-Faldetta M, Armiento A, Ferri C, Falsano F. Influence of Reduced Glutathione Infusion on Glucose Metabolism in Patients with Non-insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus. Metabolism. 1998 Aug;47(8):433-8. Glutathione provides the body with tools to fight off these threats naturally. Healthy people also benefit from elevated glutathione levels through an enhanced ability to fight off acidic toxins, disease, pre-cancerous cells and the aging process itself. Diminished glutathione levels are a symptom of aging and are particularly evident in such aliments as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Glutathione is also important to physically active people. Many world-class athletes are discovering that well-maintained glutathione levels gives them the edge over their competitors, bringing greater strength and endurance, decreased recovery time from injury, less muscle pain and fatigue, and muscle-promoting activity. Aging It is well known that aging is accompanied by a precipitous fall in glutathione levels. Lower glutathione levels are implicated in many diseases associated with aging including cataracts, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s atherosclerosis and others. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology 47:1021-26, 1994.Antioxidant FunctionsAntioxidants are well documented and known to play vital roles in health maintenance and disease prevention. Glutathione is your cell’s own major antioxidant. Maintaining elevated glutathione levels aids the body’s natural antioxidant function. Biochemical Pharmacology 47: 2114-2123, 1994. Neurological Disease Low glutathione levels have been associated with nuero-degenerative diseases such as MS (Multiple Sclerosis), ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. The Lancet 344: 796-798, 1994. Cancer Glutathione plays a role in eliminating many carcinogens/acids and also maintains and optimizes white blood cell function while providing stronger anti-acidic/anti-tumor defenses. Cancer Letters 57: 91-94, 1991. Athletic Performance Raised glutathione levels help increase strength and endurance. Those interested in physical fitness can benefit from a definite athletic edge. Journal of Applied Physiology 87: 1381-1385, 1999. Toxins, Pollution and Radiation Glutathione detoxifies a variety of pollutants, carcinogens and poisons including many found in fuel exhaust and cigarette smoke. It also retards damage from radiation exposure due to the eroding ozone layer. Annual Reviews of Biochemistry 52: 711-760, 1983 AIDS Glutathione levels correspond to poor survival of AIDS patients. Much documentation demonstrates the role of enhanced glutathione levels in AIDS. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, USA 94: 1967-72, 1997. Heart Disease, Stroke and Cholesterol Raised glutathione levels fight the oxidation of fats circulating in the bloodstream including cholesterol, retarding the process of plaque formation in the arteries leading to most heart attacks and strokes. Nutrition Reviews 54: 1-30, 1996. Diabetes Diabetics are more prone to ‘out-fections’ and circulatory problems leading to heart disease, kidney failure and blindness. Glutathione protects against the complications of diabetes. Clinical Science 91:575-582, 1996 Lung Disease Doctors have used glutathione-promoting drugs to treat many lung diseases including asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema. New and potentially therapeutic roles can be found for cigarette smoke damage, pulmonary fibrosis and other illnesses. American Journal of Medical Science 307:119-127, 1994 Digestive Disorders Glutathione protects the body from inflammation of gastritis, stomach ulcers, pancreatitis and inflammatory bowel disease including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Gut 42: 485-492, 1998 Hepatitis The liver is a major storehouse for glutathione. Glutathione is impaired in alcohol hepatitis as well as in viral (acidic) hepatitis including hepatitis A, B, and C. Raised glutathione levels help restore liver function. American Journal of gastroenterology 91: 2569-2573, 1996 Kidney Disease Those with kidney failure or on dialysis suffer from high levels of oxidative (acidic) stress and decreased glutathione levels. Raised glutathione levels help prevent anemia. Nephron 61: 404-408, 1992 Pregnancy, Lactation and Childbirth Glutathione’s role in fetal and placental development is critical. It also acts in the placenta to detoxify pollutants before they can reach the developing child. Many complications of pregnancy have been linked with poor glutathione levels. MaxGXL Increases Cellular Glutathione By 292% in 60 Days
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