RAISING GLUTATHIONE LEVELS
| A 1992 clinical study shows that oral glutathione supplementation (L- glutathione) does not significantly raise intercellular glutathione. Our body's digestive system breaks L-glutathione down and makes it unusable at the cellular level. A better strategy has been shown to be in providing our body's cells the building blocks they require to generate their own glutathione. First, a little science. Glutathione is made up of three amino acids: cysteine, glycine and glutamate. Most of our diets provide sufficient amounts of glutamate and glycine. The missing link is cysteine. Again, supplementation is subject to our digestive system if taken orally. A commonly available supplement, L-cysteine, does not represent an ideal delivery system as it also oxidizes in the digestive tract, is potentially toxic and may only raise glutathione levels minimally. NAC (n-actetyl-cysteine) is currently available in health food stores and does raise glutathione. There are, however, two common issues with the use of NAC as a supplement: It creates rapid glutathione peaks and declines quickly, thus requiring multiple daily dosing. The second reason is that it is a pharmaceutical drug and can cause adverse effects including rash, wheezing, nausea, vomitting, cramps and diarrhea due to toxicity. It is commonly used in clinical situations. A natural way to provide cysteine to the cell is through ingestion of bonded cystine (note missing "e"). This is composed of two cysteine molecules linked by a disulfide bond. What this means is that this bonded cystine travels safely through the digestive system and blood plasma and upon entering the cell is reduced to two cysteine molecules, which become available for glutathion production. Bonded cystine is found naturally in minimally processed dairy products. However in the process of normal dairy pasturization and mechanical agitation, the fragile cystine bond is broken. When this happens, the cell does not receive the nutrition it needs for glutathione production. The Standard Physicians Desk Reference shows two options to raise glutathione levels in patients:
As noted before, NAC has some toxicity and side effect issues. Natural dietary whey protein isolate is lactose free, has no listed side effects and is currently being used in multiple clinical studies. It is clinically proven to raise intercellular glutathione levels. Note that this is not standard "whey protein". Special extraction methods are used so as to not compromise the bonded cystine component of the isolate. Common whey proteins will not work! This information is not intended to take place of medical advice. You are advised to consult your medical doctor or other qualified health care professional regarding treatment of your medical conditions. |
| ESSENTIAL PROCESS, INC. Noreen Ziegler, DVM, CNC |
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