What is Glutathione Good For?

The Health Benefits of Glutathione

Amino acids are what is needed to create protein. The muscles in your body are made of protein, including your heart. Three specific amino acids, glutamate, cysteine and glycine, come together to form a powerful “master” amino acid called Glutathione that is so versatile in its functions that could almost be considered essential. Glutathione benefits include the ability to heal, repair, and supply the cells in your body with what they need but only provided there is enough glutathione to go around.

Glutathione is so vital it's found in every cell of the body

Some of the health benefits of this master antioxidant are boost immune system, promotes cellular health, increases energy levels and slows the natural aging process. Glutathione not only aids in the elimination of harmful substances from the body, but it also enhances energy and performance and aids in recovering from muscle strain.

Glutathione is considered the master amino acid and, fortunately, it is found in every cell of your body. It helps the body bind and repair tissue, make necessary chemicals and proteins in the body, fight infections and strengthen your immune system. This powerful antioxidant is so vital it is used in the treatment of many diseases, including cataracts, glaucoma, cancer, asthma, heart disease, AIDS, Alzheimer's disease and a whole host of other crippling ailments. It can be taken orally, inhaled or administered intravenously with an IV.

Glutathione: The Master Antioxidant

What people take for granted is that the food and drink available to us today can come from a mile away or a continent away. Each individual city around the world has its own native species of flora and fauna, even at the microscopic level. As you eat, drink and bathe throughout the day, these foreign microscopic substances are introduced into your body, forcing your immune system to fight them off. Glutathione is a powerful amino acid, able to dispel toxins and heavy metals such as mercury, mold, mycotoxins and phthalates, which are just a few types of outside pollutants.

One of the toxins glutathione eliminates is Mercury. It comes in three types and all are potentially dangerous to the body. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Mercury can be ingested by eating various types of fish and shellfish, which is why pregnant women are discouraged from eating them. Mercury can impair or damage the neurological system and damage the gastrointestinal system and kidneys. Because these three components of your body are critical, this can cause a wide range of symptoms from speech impairment to rashes and even sudden mood swings.

Another type of toxin glutathione is able to remove from your body is mycotoxin, usually found in mold. Mold itself is not toxic to people and is sometimes used for medicinal purposes. It is also found naturally in many kinds of food, especially cheese. The mold is used in the production of some types of cheese such as Brie, Limburger, Munster, Gorgonzola and Bleu cheese. Mold can be dangerous, however, because of the mycotoxins they produce. Ingesting mold, depending on the type, can cause food poisoning resulting in stomach cramps, fever, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. This is more likely to occur if large amounts are ingested, but some people are more sensitive to mold than others.

The last major category of toxins glutathione is capable of eliminating are phthalates. Phthalates are used to make plastic soft and flexible and are found in a wide variety of plastic products. Phthalates can be present in common household items such as shower curtains, deodorant, shampoo, soap, lotion and many other sources. While it has not yet been extensively tested, scientists suspect that phthalates can cause hormonal imbalance, particularly in reproductive hormones. How much exposure is harmful is currently unknown, but there are possible links to birth defects, metabolic disease and bone density, among many others.

What is the world’s most powerful antioxidant?

Sorry, there is no prize for knowing the answer. But yes, you are correct, it is Glutathione. It protects our body against oxidative stress from free radicals and significantly reduces cellular inflammation. Did you know that inflammatory related diseases account for the lion share of human pain and illness? By strengthening our immune system glutathione enables us to live a longer more active life. So is there anything better than the anti-aging properties of glutathione? Well yes, this amazing antioxidant compound and protector is actually produced naturally within each and every cell of the body! Hold the PRESS … did I mention that glutathione is also the most efficient detoxifier of heavy metals and potentially hazardous chemicals.

PLEASE NOTE: Glutathione boosting products are NO Substitute for a Healthy Diet and regular Exercise!

Boost Glutathione Naturally with Max International Nutritional Supplements

Glutathione is the most powerful antioxidant currently known. Unfortunately, taking actual glutathione as a supplement is ineffective, the body can't absorb it that way. Max International now in Australia has an effective solution. Cellgevity, MaxONE and Max GXL provide the building blocks (chemical elements) required by the body to produce this master antioxidants. As glutathione levels are raised the free radicals are broken down. Max International supplements will boost your glutathione levels boosting the body's ability to fight disease. You'll also experience increased energy levels and notice a slowing of the aging process. You can't BUY better health products anywhere.

Glutathione has been referred to as the mother of all antioxidants. It is produced naturally in the body by a combination of the amino acids cysteine, glycine and glutamine. Glutathione is both created and recycled in the body. Several genes involved in glutathione metabolism include GSTM1 and GSTP1, among others. Sulfur compounds in glutathione help to remove various free radicals, heavy metals and other toxins from the body. Glutathione helps the body's overall immune system. Free radicals are known for their ability to cause various forms of cellular damage; glutathione helps to protect the body from this free radical damage.

So exactly what is glutathione? Glutathione also serves other functions in the body in addition to acting as a potent antioxidant and free radical scavenger. For example, it recycles vitamins C and E to keep them in their active states, supports healthy mitochondrial function, helps to store and transport amino acids, and helps lymphocytes and killer T-cells to multiply so they can kill cancer cells and viral infections. Glutathione is a critical key to a healthy immune system. Furthermore, it is very important to the overall aging process of the body by minimizing cellular damage. Glutathione also improves energy levels, helps overall stamina and muscular function, and it improves the ability to focus.

As the body is hit with extreme levels of oxidative stress and toxins, glutathione levels become depleted. This results in less of an ability to fight infections, cancer and other toxins in the body, causing an increase in other chronic illnesses. According to Dr. Mark Hyman, glutathione deficiency has been found in patients with a variety of serious illnesses, such as heart disease, cancer, auto-immune diseases, diabetes, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, arthritis, asthma and others.

Glutathione and Celiac Disease

People with celiac disease have also been found to have a reduction in their bodies' overall levels of antioxidants, including glutathione. These antioxidants are critical for body detoxification, anti-aging, and prevention of free radical damage. Glutathione and celiac disease are linked; the gut inflammation associated with celiac disease prevents the body from properly absorbing the nutrients it needs to function normally. Celiac disease is associated with a variety of digestive problems, such as bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, fatty stools and weight loss. Many of these digestive problems are associated with gut inflammation; the inflammation also leads to the depletion of important antioxidants in the body.

Celiac disease is a genetically inherited disorder. It is believed that in individuals with celiac disease, exposure to gluten results in an increase in free radical production in the intestines. As a result, glutathione and other antioxidant levels become depleted as the body attempts to normalize this condition. Celiac disease is associated with insufficient glutathione levels on multiple fronts; the body utilizes its resources in its attempts to fight free radicals in the gut, and the body is unable to absorb enough nutrients for glutathione production due to malabsorption problems associated with celiac disease.

According to the September 2009 issue of the journal Clinical Biochemistry, people with celiac disease showed reduced antioxidant levels, reduced glutathione levels and higher levels of lipid hydroperoxides. These lipid peroxides were the result of chemical damage done by free radicals to lipid components of cell membranes. The oxidative damage from free radicals is believed to be a root cause of many underlying diseases. Scientists believe that antioxidant supplementation can be beneficial to those suffering from celiac disease and a wide range of other chronic illnesses.

By increasing glutathione levels in the body, the level of overall antioxidants improves. In addition, the glutathione can help combat the inflammation associated with celiac disease, which in turn can reduce the severity of the body's reaction to gluten. Other antioxidant levels can also be improved in the body through a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables. It is unlikely that glutathione and other antioxidant supplementation will cure celiac disease, but it may help in reducing the severity of the symptoms felt in the body.

Glutathione supplementation can take place in several ways. One way is to take glutathione directly, although only certain forms are beneficial to the body when taken by mouth. Oral glutathione is not easily absorbed in many forms; however, acetyl glutathione is one form of supplement that can be more easily taken in by the body. This acetylated form is both water and fat soluble; furthermore, it is able to cross the blood brain barrier and help to protect the brain from oxidation damage.

Another way to improve glutathione levels in the body is to take its precursors. N-Acetyl-Cysteine, or NAC, is metabolized into cysteine within the cell, which in turn supports glutathione production. MaxONE offers superior glutathione support for those suffering from Celiac disease, unlike many other supplements MaxONE is certified Gluten Free. Several methylation nutrients, including folate, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 are also critical to glutathione production in the body. Selenium as well as vitamins C and E can help to recycle existing glutathione in the body.

Several foods and herbal supplements also help to support glutathione production. Emblica, or Amla, stimulates the body's antioxidant enzyme systems, including glutathione peroxidase. Schisandra, an adaptogen, has also been found to improve glutathione levels. Sulfur-rich foods such as onions, garlic, broccoli, kale, cabbage, cauliflower and other cruciferous vegetables can also support glutathione production. Exercise has also been known to boost the body's glutathione levels as well, as it improves the body's various antioxidant defenses.

As one of the body's most potent antioxidants, it is important to maintain healthy glutathione levels to fight chronic illnesses, cancer and toxicity. Malabsorption problems and inflammation associated with celiac disease create a vicious cycle that may lower the body's overall levels of glutathione and other antioxidants. With proper diet and supplementation, it may be possible to raise glutathione levels, reduce the inflammation associated with celiac disease, and improve the overall health of the body.

What is Glutathione?

Clinical studies have shown that boosting the natural production of glutathione in the body can result in increased levels of energy. Sadly from the age of 20 onwards the level of glutathione in our bodies drops by approx. 10 to 15% each decade. The average 60 year old baby boomer has just 40% of the glutathione level they had when they were 20 years old. That goes a long way to explaining why we feel less active as we get older. Recent research suggests there's a direct relationship between reduced levels of glutathione and increased risk of cancer, general poor health, fatigue, memory loss and many other ailments.

Some well-known scientists believe this discovery could be the most significant medical breakthrough in the past 50 years, even more important than the discovery of Vitamin C that prevented countless people from dying from scurvy in the 18th century.

Max International breakthrough nutritional supplements Cellgevity, MaxONE, Max N-Fuze, ATP Energy drink powder and MaxGXL that boost glutathione naturally are now available in seven countries including the USA & Canada.

Don't stop eating healthy food, it's our best source of natural fibre and vitamins - the more fresh fruit and vegetables we have the better. It's also very important to remain physically active as we grow older. If you want to be a healthy baby boomer then taking glutathione boosting supplements alone is not enough. A healthy diet, regular exercise and a good night's sleep are essential.

Glutathione is the Key to Staying Healthy and Looking Young

Glutathione is the body's most powerful antioxidant. It is used by our livers to fight against disease and aging. It can be thought of as the mother of many detoxification processes, as it regulates other antioxidants, making them efficient. As an example, without adequate stores of glutathione, Vitamin C cannot effectively prevent oxidization in the body.

• Glutathione is produced naturally in the liver

• Glutathione boosts the antioxidant action of important vitamins

• Antioxidants are needed in the battle against aging and disease

• You can increase glutathione naturally through food and supplements

• Glutathione is the key to vitality, health and looking younger

Remarkably, glutathione is an endogenous molecule, meaning that we produce this nutrient ourselves. While this is good news, it should also be noted that glutathione production rapidly decreases as we age, especially if you are consistently exposed to environmental toxins that overload the body's natural detoxification processes. The good news, however, is that there are natural, whole foods and supplements that can boost your body's glutathione and restore it to optimal levels to fight disease and aging.

Glutathione is produced in the liver, the body's natural detoxification powerhouse. Toxins, heavy metals and pollutants are filtered through the liver where they are removed with the help of this amazing molecule of the thiol (sulphur) group.

First, the liver uses glutathione to bind to toxins. Once these toxins are bound by glutathione, free radicals emitted by these toxins must then be bound to additional glutathione. If we have proper levels of glutathione, both steps of this process can take place to detoxify and cleanse the liver and thus the entire body. However, if glutathione levels are low, free radicals will not be entirely removed and have the potential to cause oxidative stress to the body - the main cause of chronic illness and aging.

While aging is a well-known reason for reduced glutathione - some see levels decreased by half before they turn 45 - there is also a recently discovered gene which helps control glutathione production and recycling. A physician, Mark Hyman, found that some people lack a gene named GSTM1 which is responsible for the important functions of proper glutathione production and reuptake. He further discovered that a large portion of chronically ill people lack this important gene and surmised that a probable cause for their illness is lowered glutathione production to fight oxidization and free radicals. When these toxins are allowed to remain in the body, a smorgasbord of illnesses can take root, from Alzheimer's to heart disease. The presence of GSTM1 or the lack thereof can now be tested for and used as a powerful indication of a person's potential to develop a disease.

It is now clear that glutathione is critically important in battling disease, and the reasons are simple: it is not only a powerful antioxidant itself, but it also boosts the efficacy of other antioxidants, particularly Vitamin C and Vitamin E. These two vitamins work by attaching to toxins and eliminating them. However, in this important process the vitamins are rendered useless. But all is not lost: glutathione is able to not only remove toxins itself, but able to revitalize spent Vitamin C and Vitamin E! Because of this amazing ability, glutathione is the ultimate molecule in the conservation of essential detoxifiers.

But what are free radicals and why do they cause aging and illness? Free radicals are unstable molecules produced by the process of oxidization. They are a natural phenomenon of metabolism and refer to organic compounds that are released from these processes of metabolism with a missing electron. Molecules with missing electrons search endlessly to fill their outer valence shells with electrons so that they can become stable. Glutathione easily gives away an electron because of its "giver" sulphur atom. It is glutathione's ability to easily combine to free radicals' outer shell that makes it so effective at removing free radicals from the body.

However, if there is not enough glutathione in the body, the free radicals build up and go on a search to attach to anything that will fill the missing electron portion of their outer shell. This search sought by the free radicals often damages DNA and other cells, which in turn can lead to illness as well as signs of aging - we all know that age is caused by damage to our DNA and our cells, and this attack of free radicals on organic compounds and cells make it easy to see how the level of glutathione in the body is a key determiner in the rapidity of an individual's aging.

In the fight to balance the natural process of oxidization, glutathione acts as a commander of an army of antioxidants that serve to balance out the oxidative stress caused by too many free radicals in the body. It helps flush the body of toxins, including heavy metals from pollution, and thereby has the ability to reduce inflammation, a leading cause of illnesses such as arthritis and heart disease. Chronic inflammation can further lead to poor skin cell repair which can make a person age visibly by causing puffiness and reducing collagen turnover which leads to wrinkles.

Because of this, glutathione is easily established as a powerhouse when it comes to maximizing liver function, detoxification and optimizing metabolism. But if we are low on glutathione, how do we add more to our systems? Because it is made in the body, it is best to take measures which boost our own endogenous production of this molecule. How do we do this successfully and easily?

First, it is important to understand the compounds our body uses to synthesize glutathione. The precursors to this antioxidant are cysteine, glutamate and glycine.

Cysteine can be found in most animal proteins including dairy. But vegetarians and vegans should not fear: it is also found in significant quantity in broccoli, red peppers, onions, bananas and oats. Cysteine is a sulphur-containing compound, so it is, in and of itself, an antioxidant, but also combines with other organic chemicals to produce glutathione, lending its easily bonding sulphur molecule.

Glutamate is produced in the brain, and an important neurotransmitter that regulates anxiety. Relatively abundant, glumtamate is also necessary in the production of glutathione. And don't confuse glutamate with monosodium glutamate, the now cautioned-against flavor enhancer. Glutamate is found in some of the world's healthiest foods such as walnuts, tuna and kelp; eating some of these glutamate-rich foods can help boost your natural level of this chemical workhorse and thereby support glutathione production.

Glycine too is an organic acid made in the body and serves as a neurotransmitter and chemical precursor, much as glutamate does. Animal and soy sources are high in glycine if you wish to supplement your own production with food.

Other food sources have been shown to boost glutathione production in laboratory tests. Turmeric has repeatedly shown significant boosts in glutathione levels as does cordyceps (also a fine source of glutamate). Additionally, natural liver detoxifiers, particularly milk thistle, work in tandem with glutathione to rid the liver of toxins and prevent aging. Thus, glutathione can be nutritionally supplemented with sources of its precursors - cysteine, glutamate and glycine - and also with liver detoxifiers.

And don't forget to help glutathione do its best work by keeping your levels of antioxidant vitamins up! Keeping healthy quantities of Vitamin C in your diet will support your glutathione production and help combat free radicals.

Finally, don't forget the importance of exercise! Not only is it great for your cardiovascular health and peace of mind, but it also helps boost your body's natural ability to produce glutathione.

As you can see, glutathione plays a vital role in eliminating the toxins that build up in our bodies. Not only does it naturally boost our immunity and prevent disease, but it reduces inflammation from the inside out, helping us to feel and look younger.

Using Glutathione for Optimal Cellular Health

It's no surprise that right now antioxidants are a very popular nutritional supplement, since these nutrients have been clinically proven to fight cell oxidation and improve our overall health. Understandably, many people are interested in finding and taking the best antioxidants available. While there are many nutritional supplements that fight cell oxidation, there is a nutrient that acts as a true antioxidant superhero, and that’s Glutathione. This nutrient acts as a detoxifier, an immune system booster and an antioxidant. While people who eat lots of fresh fruits, fresh vegetables and freshly prepared meats may have enough in their system, given the diet that most of us consume, this type of dietary supplement is badly needed.

Glutathione, also referred to as GSH, originates in the cells themselves. This is important to know, since GSH can't be effectively absorbed if taken orally. In other words, if we simply take a GSH supplement, it won't do us much good. It must be synthesized within the cells themselves. GSH is a peptide molecule, or a short protein, produced by our cells from the amino acids L-glutamic, L-cysteine and glycine. One of the most powerful and vital antioxidants in our bodies is GSH. Vitamin C, itself one of the antioxidants, helps to keep GSH in its reduced form in order to keep free radicals neutralized, so taking Vitamin C can help the GSH in our cells work even more efficiently. The most important function of an antioxidant is to neutralize free radicals, which can wreak havoc in our bodies' systems. GSH works holistically to protect these systems and alleviate oxidative stress. Our bodies generate approximately 40 billion new cells daily, and glutathione is found in all of our cells. Without the proper levels of GSH, cells can become dysfunctional, and dysfunctional cells become inflamed and can even become cancerous. Glutathione not only fights oxidation, but it also regenerates itself and synthesizes more antioxidants while repairing DNA. The sulfur atom in GSH has the power to disable and neutralize free radicals that accelerate aging. In the liver, GSH enzymes works with these sulfur atoms to invade toxic molecules, making them easier for the liver to process and get rid of. Clearly, this peptide molecule is significant to our healing and our overall good health.

When your body doesn't produce enough glutathione, your whole system suffers. Your body can't fight off free radical damage and oxidative stress at the cellular level and it can't produce enough T cells to effectively fight off diseases. Today's lifestyles and diets just don't provide enough of the nutrients and amino acids that we need for our cells to synthesize GSH. We’re bombarded with chronic stress, we are exposed to toxins, we don't get enough sleep and we just don’t eat right. Additionally, as we age, our cells slow GSH synthesis by 10 to 15 percent with each decade. Proper glutathione levels are not only fundamental to our general good health, but even more critical as we age. Chronic inflammation is a major health issue in the West. It's the source of many age-related conditions and the degeneration of our body systems, but GSH helps to reduce cellular inflammation. This includes arthritis and associated joint pain. Glutathione depletion is indicated in many of our degenerative diseases. One of the first signs of insufficient levels of Glutathione is anemia, which is the suppression of red blood cells. This suppression negatively affects our skin and muscle tone, our organs and energy levels. Cases of a severe Glutathione deficiency can include seizures, nerve problems and lack of muscle control. Proper GSH levels are paramount to good health because it resists and destroys free radicals, eliminates toxins, including carcinogenic molecules, repairs damage and produces other antioxidants. Glutathione is truly a nutritional health super star.

Louis Pasteur stated that it isn't the germ that kills, but rather, our level of resistance to it. Recent clinical studies have demonstrated that people with severe or chronic diseases show depleted GSH levels, such as those with HIV, AIDS, cancer and other serious, chronic illnesses. GSH is so effective at repairing and detoxifying, that it is presently used as a therapy for acetaminophen toxicity as well as HIV patients. Glutathione is a powerful strengthener of the immune system that’s especially important to those with a chronic illness. Those who suffer from a chronic illness have immune systems that are severely compromised. There are currently thousands of published studies that analyze the health benefits of GSH to our nervous systems, chronic health problems and cellular repair. There are numerous, promising studies demonstrating the positive effects of GSH in the treatment of cancer, inflammatory diseases and cardiovascular diseases.

Glutathione is one of our body's most-needed peptide that can't be taken in the form of a dietary supplement. Eating lots of fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, raw eggs, garlic, turmeric and fresh, unprocessed meat can help our cells synthesize GSH, since these contain the amino acid building blocks necessary for glutathione production. However, given our modern lifestyles, doing this successfully on a daily basis is nearly impossible and very impractical. In fact, most people are deficient in glutathione to some degree. Taking a quality, researched nutritional supplement that provides the precursors and the building blocks for the synthesis of GSH is crucial if we want the health benefits of protection and repair at the cellular level. Making sure that we get the needed building blocks for the synthesis of Glutathione is essential to our overall good health and an important step we all should take.

The essential role played by Glutathione in protecting our cells from disease was discovered long ago by Scientists.

What is Glutathione? We all know that vitamins C and E are good for us, particularly when we feel a cold approaching or are tired and run down. Maybe you didn't know that glutathione is better at fighting cellular damage than any other antioxidant.

Glutathione has in fact been used in hospitals for many decades to aid recovery from serious illness. The U.S. National Library of Medicine has published more than 90,000 articles about the health benefits of glutathione on their website Pub Med. This amazing antioxidant protects our cells from free radicals and oxidative stress.

Boosting your glutathione levels brings many benefits; it will strengthen your immune system, reduce intracellular inflammation, detoxify your body and slow down the aging process. That’s exciting news for baby boomers wanting to look younger and have more energy. Unfortunately, due to the fragile nature of glutathione's tri-peptide structure it doesn't survive well in the digestive tract, so taking glutathione supplements orally don't deliver any real benefit.

The solution discovered by doctors Robert Keller and Herbert Nagasawa is to supply the body with the key ingredients it needs to produce glutathione. Everyone can benefit from Max International nutritional supplements that boost glutathione production. After all who doesn't want to enjoy better health and live life to the Max?

Nutritional supplements from Max International Australia work by stimulating the body's natural production of glutathione. Glutathione is far more effective than Vitamin C & Vitamin E. It is found naturally in every cell of our bodies. It is the master antioxidant that enables our body’s immune system to fight off infection and many diseases. Baby Boomers take note, as we grow older our bodies don't produce the same amount of glutathione as it did in our 20s. Cellgevity, MaxOne and GXL Sport are true anti-aging products, they boost the production of glutathione.

The Health Benefits of Glutathione will be explained in detail

What is Glutathione? Max International's products that Boost Glutathione production in the body are not available for normal retail sale in Australia. Cellgevity and MaxONE are available from associates in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane.

Boosting Glutathione production has been shown to have a very beneficial effect on the immune system and promotes recovery from many diseases. Glutathione the master antioxidant is a very fragile molecule, consequently taking glutathione orally as a pill / capsule will not achieve much benefit at all because it is destroyed in the digestive system before it can enter the blood stream. Max International’s unique solution is to provide the body with the necessary build blocks it requires to produce glutathione naturally in every cell of our body.

Max nutritional supplements Boost Glutathione Production by the body Naturally

What is Glutathione? We all know that vitamins C and E are good for us, particularly when we feel a cold approaching or are tired and run down. Maybe you didn't know that glutathione is better at fighting cellular damage than any other antioxidant.

Glutathione has in fact been used in hospitals for many decades to aide recovery from serious illness. The U.S. National Library of Medicine has published more than 90,000 articles about the health benefits of glutathione on their website Pub Med. This amazing antioxidant protects our cells from free radicals and oxidative stress.

Boosting your glutathione levels brings many benefits; it will strengthen your immune system, reduce intracellular inflammation, detoxify your body and slow down the aging process. That’s exciting news for baby boomers wanting to look younger and have more energy. Unfortunately, due to the fragile nature of glutathione's tri-peptide structure it doesn't survive well in the digestive tract, so taking glutathione supplements orally don't deliver any real benefit.

The solution discovered by doctors Robert Keller and Herbert Nagasawa is to supply the body with the key ingredients it needs to produce glutathione. Everyone can benefit from Max International nutritional supplements that boost glutathione production. After all who doesn't want to enjoy better health and live life to the Max?

How Glutathione Enhances Energy and Performance

Glutathione not only aids in the elimination of harmful substances from the body, but it also enhances energy and performance and aids in recovering from muscle strain. Your body cannot absorb glutathione correctly on its own, however. It needs the help of another amino acid, cysteine, to be absorbed properly into the body. Thankfully, cysteine is easy to find as it is present in meats, poultry, dairy, eggs and some vegetables. Once absorbed, the glutathione slows down the damage your body takes from intense, high-energy workouts and other physical activity.

All of this is possible because glutathione, like other antioxidants, eliminates harmful free radicals in your body, which can damage perfectly healthy cells. Free radicals injure another healthy cell by stealing missing molecules from them. That injured cell can turn into a free radical that attacks another cell and continues the cycle. That diseased, abnormal cell keeps producing free radicals at a rapid rate, putting strain on your body. Even healthy bodies produce free radicals from daily activity and any sort of cell can be damaged by this effect.

This is where antioxidants like glutathione come in. Antioxidants are the body's tiny cell doctors that essentially hand out medicine for damaged cells. The more antioxidants present in your body, the more cells that can be healed at once and the more rapidly these damaged cells can heal. Given the unique properties of glutathione, the most powerful antioxidant in the body, having more of it has literally no downsides. The reason most people have lower levels of glutathione stems from their level of physical activity and their diet, which will be discussed later.

How Glutathione Slows Aging

One key reason why glutathione is referred to as a master antioxidant is because of its remarkable properties. What makes glutathione unique is that it is one substance capable of performing a wide range of tasks within the body. Glutathione is capable of slowing the aging process and how it does so is fascinating. It is important to begin with an explanation of how aging occurs. It involves the DNA present in your body, and a special segment of it that is irreplaceable no matter what your body does.

The short version of the process is that aging is determined by a segment of your DNA called the telomere, which gets shorter as you age. You are born with about 10,000 telomeres and most people pass away when they lose half of that. Free radicals can accelerate the loss of telomeres as they are formed by poor diet, stress, smoking, lack of exercise and other factors. Because free radicals damage cells, they also may damage the telomeres found in each cell.

Once a telomere is gone, it is gone permanently, but antioxidants repair free radicals, thereby slowing down how rapidly you lose telomeres. You also cannot increase telomeres at any time, which makes stemming the loss of telomeres vital to those who wish to reduce the signs of aging. Additionally, glutathione helps your body repair damage due to aging as well, such as inflammation from arthritis, by optimizing and maintaining your immune system and keeping your mitochondria, your individual cells' "power plants," so to speak, up and running.

How to Boost Glutathione Levels

As mentioned previously, glutathione can be administered in one of four ways. It can be ingested, inhaled or administered with an IV. Inhalation is usually reserved for treating lung diseases and IV, while extremely effective, is almost exclusively reserved for hospital settings. Even if you could somehow have it administered outside of a hospital, IV administration is expensive and potentially painful. The easiest and most efficient way to attain glutathione is by ingesting it, which is much simpler than you may believe.

A healthy diet is one way to attain glutathione. This is because it is made up of three precursors, or building blocks: glutamate, cysteine and glycine. Glutamate and glycine are already produced inside of your body, so all you really need to worry about is the cysteine. It is often found in many vegetables and foods with high protein, but the body also breaks down protein. Cysteine, however, is a delicate substance that is often altered or completely digested soon after consumption. If any cysteine is left over by the time the food reaches your stomach, the healthy bacteria within your stomach usually take it for themselves, as they need it as well. Exercise aids in attaining cysteine because it also aids in obtaining glutathione. This in turn strengthens your immune system, lowering the need for cysteine to begin with.

A glutathione supplement may seem like a logical method to obtain it, but only if that supplement is made correctly. Remember that glutathione cannot be absorbed properly if it is by itself. It needs cysteine to be absorbed correctly. Several nutritional supplements provide this extra amino acid and may even be available over the counter at your local pharmacy.

Always talk to your doctor before beginning any nutritional supplement, as they may have advice on additional methods of obtaining both cysteine and glutathione. Also inquire about what supplements are right for you, as nutritional supplements can interact with medication. While glutathione is highly beneficial, its precursors can bind with other substances to form potentially harmful substances within the body. Also be cautious of overdosing on vitamins or minerals, as this can be dangerous as well. With your doctor's advice, providing your body with the glutathione it needs can be safe and easy.

Glutathione helps keep all other Antioxidants Performing

The immune system is the defender and protector of the body, and it needs support in the form of antioxidants in order to run properly. The body's most efficient and powerful antioxidant is glutathione, which is so vital that it is found in every cell of the body.

Glutathione is an amino acid that is naturally produced in the body. Studies have shown that supplements do not work as effectively as the natural production, which emanates from a diet consisting of whole foods. Glutathione is a combination of three other amino acids: glycine, cysteine and glutamate. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, and an individual requires all 20 amino acids to provide protein for the cells in the body.

Glutathione major role is as an antioxidant. The role of antioxidants is to defend invaders to the body by strengthening the immune system, so it can effectively eliminate free radicals. When free radicals are free to roam the body, they damage everything they come in contact with. Free radicals cause destruction to cells and organs, and they contribute to diseases such as cancer. Malformed cells thrive on toxins, chemicals in foods, metals and environmental toxins that are taken into the body.

How Glutathione Works

The immune system and the antioxidant network require healthy nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, which are known as thiols. Glutathione and alpha-lipoid acid fall into this category, and the alpha-lopoic acid acts as a stimulant for the natural production of glutathione. Glutathione and other antioxidants clean cells and remove toxins while they protect from the damages of radiation, chemicals and environmental pollutants. Antioxidants are a top priority in the health of any individual, no matter the age.

Don't Confuse Glutathione with Other Nutrients

Glutathione is the major strength builder in the immune system, but it is often confused with two other amino acids, glutamine and glutamate simply because of the names. Here is a description of each.

• Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid. It is primarily used in the processes of anti-injury and muscle repair. Your brain manufactures glutamine from glutamate, which is a precursor to glutathione.

• Glutathione is the "master antioxidant," and it is the most powerful antioxidant. Its main job is to protect the healthy cells, and to protect against toxins; it is also important in liver health. Glutathione has a special property, which maximizes other antioxidants, like C, E and CoQ10 because it is intracellular.

• Glutamate acts as a neurotransmitter and is required for synaptic activity.

Foods Essential in Building Glutathione Naturally

A variety of supplements can be beneficial in supporting the immune system, but fresh, whole foods are always preferred as the basis of a healthy diet. With the substantial super powers of glutathione, it would make sense to manufacture glutathione supplements, but studies have shown that glutathione supplements will interfere with your body's own glutathione production. For this amino acid, natural production is preferred.

• Raw eggs, raw milk and fresh meats are where the highest levels occur, but pasteurized dairy products have very little of the amino acid.

• Fresh fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of glutathione. Those with the highest percentage per serving are spinach, potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, okra, avocado, squash, asparagus, tomatoes, walnuts and garlic. Once these fresh foods are cooked, the values decrease immensely.

• The herb milk thistle is excellent for preventing glutathione from being completely depleted in the liver where it is continually needed.

• Curcumin and turmeric are both useful herbs in increasing levels of glutathione.

Glutathione supplements are currently in the spotlight, and they are being promoted as the miracle nutrient that leads the field in boosting health, fights aging and prevents disease. Glutamine, since it is a direct precursor to glutathione, could be used to supplement, but most of the evidence has determined that it is too poorly absorbed to be of any benefit. To date, vitamin D is the best option, and, thankfully, the natural ways to boost glutathione prove to be the most effective.