Glutathione the body’s most powerful antioxidant.
These days you often hear a lot in the news about various antioxidants. One week it’s the superfood Acai berry, the next it’s the antioxant bioflavinoids in blueberries. Fewer people know, however, that the body makes its own antioxidants. The most powerful antioxidant our bodies make is called glutathione. Glutathione is a molecule made up of three amino acids: glycine, glutamine, and cysteine. As a principal antioxidant, Glutathione helps neutralize oxidative stress from free radicals. It is well recognized that free radical damage leads to breakdown of important systems.
Glutathione has a number of countless functions in the body and is essential for life. It has been well studied and has been shown to be protective against radiation, heavy metal exposure, improves outcomes of stroke patients, and has potent anticancer effects. Patients with liver disease like cirrhosis and hepatitis can benefit greatly from administration of glutathione and there is evidence it can be very helpful for neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s.
When taken orally, the amino acid N‐acetyl cysteine has been shown to increase glutathione levels in the liver. Typically the recommended dose is 600‐900mg twice daily.
As you age, your normal healthy glutathione levels will decrease. Low levels of glutathione have been associated with premature aging. Therefore its important to optimize your glutathione.
A very efficient and effective way to increase your glutathione levels is with IV therapy. When given intravenously, glutathione immediately floods your system bringing powerful antioxidant activity to areas that need rejuvenation and protection. By administering glutathione IV you bypass the gut and ensure that the entirety of the glutathione gets into the system. Taking oral supplements can be effective too, however it depends on the body’s absorptive ability which often is less efficient compared to IV.
If you are looking to maximize your body’s own antioxidants, help prevent premature aging, protect the brain, and increase your immune system, IV glutathione is the absolute best choice!
Dr. Heath McAllister, ND, RH (AHG) Naturopathic Doctor, Registered Herbalist
Contact: Lotus East‐West Medical Center 310‐828‐8258 [email protected] www.lotusew.com