What is glutathione? It’s a very simple molecule that may well be the most important molecule you need to stay healthy and prevent disease. It’s a key for preventing aging, cancer, heart disease, dementia, and other chronic diseases. It’s also essential for treating everything from autism to Alzheimer’s disease to cancer and much more.
What Glutathione is and What it Does
Glutathione is a combination of three simple building blocks of protein or amino acids − cysteine, glycine, and glutamine − and it is produced naturally in the body. It is called “the master antioxidant” because it can regenerate itself in the liver after each fill-up of free radicals and go back to work. Free radicals are often the byproduct of normal cellular metabolic oxidation and toxic overload. They can lead to autoimmune diseases, several types of cancer, and even heart attacks.
Keeping yourself healthy, boosting your performance, preventing disease, and aging well all depend on keeping glutathione levels high. It is critical for immune function and controlling inflammation. It is the master detoxifier and the body’s main antioxidant, protecting our cells and making our energy metabolism run well.
Research has shown that raised glutathione levels decrease muscle damage, reduce recovery time, increase strength and endurance, and shift metabolism from fat production to muscle development.
Glutathione is critical in helping the body’s first line of defense against disease and illness – the immune system − do its job of fighting infections. It further supports the immune system in preventing cancer and other illnesses. Studies have also shown that glutathione can help in the treatment of AIDS.
Glutathione is also essential for maintaining healthy cellular mitochondria. It is notable that damaged or malfunctioning cellular mitochondria are part of the cancer process. This occurs when exposure to toxins and unhealthy cellular terrain combine to trigger a cellular defensive response. During this process healthy cells become cancer cells when they revert to a primitive form of respiration that uses glucose (sugar) instead of oxygen for respiration. They then refuse to die and keep multiplying.
The secret of the power of glutathione may be the sulfur (SH) chemical groups it contains. Sulfur is a sticky, smelly molecule which acts to grab and help eliminate all the bad things in the body. Its stickiness allows it to capture damaging free radicals and toxins like mercury and other heavy metals.
As natural health author Paul Fassa wrote:
“Glutathione is critical for one simple reason: It recycles antioxidants. You see, dealing with free radicals is like handing off a hot potato. They get passed around from vitamin C to vitamin E to lipoic acid and then finally to glutathione which cools off the free radicals and recycles other antioxidants. After this happens, the body can “reduce” or regenerate another protective glutathione molecule and we are back in business.”
Dr. Mark Hyman calls glutathione the “mother of all antioxidants” and says that he has found glutathione deficiency to be common in virtually all the seriously ill patients he has treated. These include people with chronic fatigue syndrome, heart disease, cancer, chronic infections, autoimmune disease, diabetes, autism, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, arthritis, asthma, kidney problems, liver disease, and more.
Glutathione Deficiency
The body forms glutathione naturally, but production decreases as we age. Toxins also decrease healthy glutathione levels. If you are sick, feeling old, or just not in peak shape, you likely have glutathione deficiency. The esteemed British medical journal, The Lancet, found the highest glutathione levels in healthy young people, lower levels in healthy elderly, lower still in sick elderly, and the lowest of all in the hospitalized elderly.
Normally, glutathione is recycled in the body − except when the toxic load becomes too great. When glutathione becomes depleted it can no longer protect against free radicals, infections, or cancer, and we can’t get rid of toxins. This leads to further sickness and soon we are in the downward spiral of chronic illness.
Active Gluthathione is Known as GSH
Glutathione becomes inactive when it becomes saturated from doing its work of collecting free radicals, but it tends to regenerate itself in a healthy liver. Under ideal conditions, 10% of the glutathione remains inactive (or oxidized), while the other 90% is active. As the active glutathione (also known as GSH), drops below 90% and allows the inactive to increase beyond 10%, the struggle for optimum health begins to become a losing battle. When toxins build up, the GSH diminishes even more. When GSH falls below 70%, the immune system becomes critically compromised.
Foods & Supplements that Increase Glutathione Levels in Your Body
Certain foods contain precursors to help the liver produce more glutathione. These include sulfur-rich foods such as garlic, onions, and cruciferous vegetables (i.e. broccoli, kale, collards, cabbage, cauliflower, watercress), premium bioactive whey products, and colostrum.
The reason for using precursors to boost your liver’s ability to create healthy glutathione levels is that supplemental glutathione has issues with getting through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract intact without being degraded. A notable exception might be the new Aurora Mega-Liposomal Glutathione recently introduced by Vida Lifescience.
Exercise boosts glutathione levels and helps boost your immune system, improve detoxification, and enhance your body’s own antioxidant defenses. Start slow and build up to 30 minutes a day of vigorous aerobic exercise like walking or jogging, or play various sports. Strength training for 20 minutes, three times a week is also helpful.
Other supplements which can help increase healthy glutathione levels include:
- A good all-around organic, whole-food derived nutritional supplement, such as Drucker Labs IntraMax.
- N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) has been used for many years to help boost glutathione. Time release NAC is the best option for keeping levels high throughout the day.
- Methylation nutrients, including folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 are critical to keep the body producing and recycling glutathione.
- Selenium helps the body recycle and produce more glutathione.
- The family of antioxidants which includes vitamins C and E (in the form of mixed tocopherols) work together to recycle glutathione
- Milk thistle (silymarin) helps increase glutathione levels and is famed for its ability to cleanse, protect, and regenerate the liver.
It is also worth noting that alpha-lipoic acid is a close second to glutathione in importance in our cells. It is involved in energy production, blood sugar control, brain health, and detoxification.
We rely on health heroes like yourself to help us spread the word on this important, life saving information. Please share it with friends below.
Article Summary
Glutathione is produced in the body and is a combination of three simple building blocks of protein or amino acids: cysteine, glycine, and glutamine.
It is called “the master antioxidant” because it can regenerate itself in the liver after each fill-up of free radicals and go back to work.
Research has shown that raised glutathione levels decrease muscle damage, reduce recovery time, increase strength and endurance, and shift metabolism from fat production to muscle development.
Glutathione is critical in helping the immune system do its job of fighting infections, and preventing cancer and other diseases.
Production of glutathione decreases as we age. Toxins also decrease healthy glutathione levels. The highest glutathione levels are in healthy young people, lower levels in healthy elderly, lower still in sick elderly, and the lowest of all in the hospitalized elderly.
Certain foods help the liver produce more glutathione. These include sulfur-rich foods such as garlic, onions, and cruciferous vegetables, premium bioactive whey products, and colostrum.
A number of supplement can help increase healthy glutathione levels including:
- A good all-around organic, whole-food derived nutritional supplement
- N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC). Time release NAC is the best option for keeping levels high throughout the day
- Methylation nutrients, including folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12
- Selenium
- The family of antioxidants which includes vitamins C and E (in the form of mixed tocopherols) work together to recycle glutathione
- Milk thistle (silymarin) helps increase glutathione levels and is famed for its ability to cleanse, protect, and regenerate the liver
I am thinking of changing my diet and trying food from the Nutrition shop and the Health Foods store, to see if it would make any difference to my health. Juicing fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices are excellent, but I do not have a juicer and a juicer might cost a lot of money.
Getting sick and going to the doc all the time costs way more invest in a vita mix !
Raw organic foods as much as possible!
We have added a whole food supplement to our family’s diet recently and have noticed benefits already! Easier than juicing and more economical with all the benefits of fruits and veggies in capsule form or chews. Safe, effective and simple. Everything we have learned from Truth About Cancer including Prevention and how to keep our immune system strong, is so valuable and making fruits and vegetables a priority stacks the deck in our favour and helps us down the Healthy Highway.
Get a used champion juicer. That’s what Dr. Schulze recommends for cancer and all ailments. It is cheap and efficient enough to do the job. Waiting to afford a Nowrwalk (like I have) could cost you time and health too. Get started. Good luck!
Doctor Richard Schultz (herbdoc.com) has a great Superfood too…been taking it and his intestinal formula for 22 years…i am 72 and feeling good..I do need to improve so am glad for these articles.
Silvia – have you had any luck with finding a cheaper juicer, or changing your diet anyway. Another option would be to get a spirulina powder (or a powder containing it) as these often contain veggies as well as the spirulina, a natural seawater algae which is amazingly benefcial for our health Maybe you have heard of it. You can get it at a health food store, and I also see it on Amazon for a very small percentage of the cost of a juicer. It may not be as efficient as a juicer, but it’s pretty good. HOpe this helps.
Faye, I am not planning to do it now. It is later on, once my father is not alive. Since my father wants meat and fish dishes, I want to have the same food too. I do not really want to order any of those natural products through the Internet, because there are too many scams. I saw juicers in Canadian Tire where I live in Ottawa, Canada, they are too expensive. I do not want to order a juicer from the Internet as a result of scams. I might one day try a natural seawater algae and wheatgrass juice once only to see what they are like.
Silvia, Go to Goodwill or the Salvation Army stores. You can get a good juicer there for 20 or 30 dollars.
Thank you so much for this valueable article. I appreciate the comprehensiveness of your coverage all the way to how we can help our bodies boost it’s own natural production!! God Bless You!
Tony, we are always impressed with postings in TTAC and consider your post on this subject to be something everyone should be aware of. In the last 10 years we have assisted hundreds of people in many countries with various, often quite serious issues and in near every case raising their Glutathione level has proved a most beneficial factor for recovery.
There are thousands of studies listing the benefits of raising Glutathione levels. Few people appear aware of this and it seems mainly because of the issues with traditional methods. These issues relate to cost, the intrusiveness of IV Induced products, the difficulty in having to continually consume the various ingested products available and the negative side effects as can be experienced with all manufactured products. Also important is the fact the raised Glutathione level with traditional methods will only last for a very short time; often only for minutes after the introductory method is ceased.
We have found the most efficient method is using Phototherapy patches. These are Non Transdermal patches, meaning NOTHING is ingested or induced into the body. The patches communicate direct with the body’s energy system to create a powerful positive effect. There are many advantages in using the PhotoTherapy Glutathione patches.
EFFECTIVENESS: Even the best traditional methods will only raise the Glutathione level by around 20% if used regularly over a month. The patches will raise the level up to 300% over 24 hours and keep it at a high level as long as the patches are regularly used. When independent Laboratory measurements were first done on the levels raised with the patches the Lab thought the levels were wrong and considered impossible to obtain. Subsequent tests proved these and the original tests were correct. Glutathione produced by the body itself while using the PhotoTherapy patches can reach EVERY cell in the body – something manufactured Glutathione can have difficulty doing.
SIDE EFFECTS: The patches have NO Negative side effects reported, even with the millions of people that have used these patches over many years.
SIDE BENEFITS: Working as an advanced form of acupuncture but without needles and far more effective the Glutathione patches are already proven to improve the function of several vital organs. When placed on particular organ points they will further improve the function of that organ together with raising the body’s Glutathione level.
EASE OF USE: The patches are simple for anyone to use; as easy as applying a band aide.
HEALING: The patches provide for accelerated healing, appearing around 80% faster than traditional methods.
SAFETY: As the body is healing the body and is in control of the raised Glutathione level there is no chance of overdosing or suffering with adverse effects from ingested or induced substances. Perfect for everyone.
COST: Traditional methods of raising Glutathione levels can cost upwards of several hundred dollars each month, particularly if using IV Induced. The patches cost just a fraction of traditional methods and can cost as little as around $5 or $6 each week depending how many/how often the patches are used each week.
APPROVAL: The patches are already approved by the medical authorities in all the 100+ countries the patches are distributed including the FDA.
STUDIES: The patches have extensive studies involving several measuring devices to calculate the benefits. The studies are predominantly to confirm the effectiveness and look at extra benefits and do NOT need huge study groups as traditional drugs require for consideration of likely harmful side effects – there simply aren’t any.
AVAILABILITY: The patches are readily available in many countries, often delivered locally and one does not have to search about for various products that may not even be available in many parts of the world.
TTAC have provided an amazing list of interviews, reports and suggestions. The notes we provide in suggesting the PhotoTherapy patches is just another product to consider and certainly one we have found very beneficial for people of all ages. We have found the Glutathione patch one of the best products available to boost the immune system, detox and remove harmful toxins, heavy metals and free radicals from ALL cells in the body and provide for a wonderful feeling of wellbeing. No matter what product or methods are used toward providing the best possible health available; the patches are always available to boost the result. There are also other same technology patches attending to issues with chronic pain, energy, sleep, stress, inflammation and many other conditions that affect us all.
Our main role with the patches is to assist with the use and application of the patches toward obtaining a satisfactory result for various conditions. We provide this service ongoing and free of charge for any user or enquirer of the patches worldwide. We are happy to answer any questions on availability of the patches and can provide links to clinical studies of the patches on request.
Rob. wellnessplus@adam.com.au
Where can you buy these Glutathione patches?
Leo, if you email us wellnessplus@adam.com.au we can send you more details on the patches and directions for obtaining the patches. They are now available in over 100 countries, many with local delivery, are accepted by the medical authorities in all these countries including FDA in US and are extensively clinically studied to prove their effectiveness – so well worth the effort to find out more. There are many great ways of raising Glutathione levels as Tony mentions. We support the use the patches because of their effectiveness and also because there is NOTHING being ingested or induced into the body as with most traditional treatments; so safe and easy for anyone to use even if already on medication or other supplements.
Speaking of Lifewave patches no doubt. Amazing medical tools. Its a good idea to learn as much about them as you can. They also work on meridians like acupuncture…
These patches would be Lifewave Patches (I presume), listed as a Class 1 medical tool. These patches are amazing.
Coffee enemas are perhaps the largest simulator of the liver’s production of glutithione estranferase. Coffee enemas are an important part of many top natural cancer treatments, also because they trigger the liver to detox the whole body via the bloodstream, get rid of the toxic breakdown of cancer cells AND KILL PAIN. Too cheap and to simple to discuss, or just too weird?
I too was surprised that this article didn’t mention coffee enemas, as they are supposed to raise your body’s own Glutathione levels by 600 to 700%! I do them twice a week and feel much better as a result. Plus, I am currently doing a heavy metal detox and their recommendation is to NOT take Glutathione in pill/patch form as it could make the detox process WORSE! Who is right?
Yes I was also wondering why this article doesn’t mention coffee ememas. They are known to increase Glutathione in your body by up to 700% and are part of the Gerson therapy for healing cancer. They are easy to do and can be done very safely at home, much safer then an IV.
The article talked about herein is good but can’t really be considered very helpful for one simple reason. No one is actually talking about a particular curative explanation i.e step by step including dosage, duration,efficacy, probable short term side effects or possibility of a recurrence of this apparently dreadful disease cancer. Lets engage on proven specifics. That will be the biggest leap in eliminating the scourge. Wish readers a healthy lifestyle. Kind regards.
We would not normally post replies on the results with using PhotoTherapy patches but with Lori’s permission have posted the note below. Lori has also suggested this posting with the aim to let others know the benefits.
Lori has a condition requiring her Glutathione levels to be raised but has been struggling for some time with traditional methods. She ordered the patches earlier this month and below is the reply just after receiving the patches. The reply is typical of people who begin using the PhotoTherapy patches and as mentioned by Tony Isaacs and ourselves the benefits of raising Glutathione levels are well worth seeking no matter what method is used to raise the level.
From: Lori [mailto:lorixxxxxxxxx@xxxxxx]
Sent: Monday, 8 August 2016 5:48 AM
To: Rob Harding and Barbara Warhurst
Subject: LW advise
Hi! I’ve started with glutathione patches. All I can say is WOW! They are so much more effective than the liquid or gelcap supplements. I made sure I was well hydrated and I did feel detox symptoms (mild to moderate) but not to an alarming level. I have not experienced any problems from the adhesive even though I have had issues with adhesive bandages in the past. I used the patches daytime and night time. I can feel the improved glutathione levels and overall wellbeing to a much larger degree than the supplements I was previously using.
I have a question- should I be using them around the clock? What is your recommendation considering I was supplementing glutathione for a known deficiency, the past two years? Also, I’m planning to use the carnosine patch today. I’m not sure what the recommended rotation of the two would be. Should they be used together?
I’m planning to order the other patches as well. It’s wonderful to use a product that really offers results.
Thanks again for all your help! You guys are so great to work with.
Sincerely,
Lori xxxxxxxx
Who ever you purchased the patches from should be educating you..? There will be educational videos on the Lifewave site. And documents too. You can use the patches around the clock, but best not to use Glutathione and Carnosine together ( at the same time) – plus its a waste of time.
Other patches are to be considered to ( they do wonderful things)
I am feeling overwhelmed with, yet another supp. to take. I recently had a breast cancer tumor removed. I am already popping 12 plus pills a day, along with the evil Letrozole. I am beginning to feel defeated, confused and more stressed.
Any feedback is appreciated.
I know, Linda how you feel and they are all very expensive and the cost adds up with each one. Tha’s why I liked the article about the foods which help promote. It’s hard to get the supplements through the digestive system to absorb so the patches sound good, but once again the cost.
AND Rob didn’t tell us where to get them… are they still in Clinical trials? This is very important info. though.
NEVER GIVE UP! and don’t let the stress get you! God Bless!
The question I would have about a Glutathione patch; is that GSH is too large of a molecule to cross the cell membrane, rather the body needs to ingest ingredients that will cause the body to create its own natural production of Glutathione. I’d be interested to research your theory more please.
So is it worth it to get these Glutathione patches? And if so where do you get them?
Contact us at wellmessplus@adam.com.au for further information.
And Yes, Glutathione produced naturally by the body itself when wearing the patches will reach EVERY cell in the body and at a higher level than any other known method..
Rob
Leo, that should be wellnessplus@adam.com.au
Alison Hilton, If you contact us at wellnessplus@adam.com.au we can provide links to extensive clinical studies on the patches.
Remember there is no Glutathione in these patches … there is a message in the patches, water and a crystal – built so tiny on what is called a ‘Nano scale’
Body heat sends a tiny weenie antenna out of the patch .. which picks up energy from our electro magnetic field .. which fires off the message in the patch … which in turn communicates with the brain and tells the brain to make more Glutathione!! So the size of a molecule and it getting across the cell membrane is of no conse
quence. Ingesting Glutathione gives you very little Glutathione – and its gone in 24 hrs!
Thank you very much for the valuable information included. I will pass this information to others interested.
Using the patches would only be of benefit while detoxing. It also depends where on you body you use them. If you feel horrid at some point … take a day off the patches. You MUST drink LOTS of water when using especially the Gluathione and Carnosine ( If you dont, expect a headache) !
There is a product that increases your glutathione by up to 500% happy to share what i know. This product is changing lives and backed by peer reviewed studies
Would the patches help people with mcs?. Really beed some help
It sounds like it would be very effective for patients with liver failure, any thoughts?
Andrew, the Lifewave Glutathione patch is already extensive trialed and proven for improved function of vital organs; heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, spleen etc. So while wearing this patch to boost your immune system, detox harmful substances and heavy metals from the body and neutralise Free Radicals in EVERY cell in the body (far better than any other product know today) you are also boosting your organ function. The benefits and the improvement people find with these patches is simply amazing and should be considered by everybody. There are many products that tend to raise Glutathione levels but there is nothing in the world today that can do as these patches are already doing. Please ask if you have any questions on how these patches could help you, how to use them and how to obtain them and we will be happy to assist. They are readily available in over 100 countries and often with local delivery. Rob wellnessplus@adam.com.au
DISEASES with Documentation Links to LOW GLUTATHIONE
High glutathione levels are associated with longevity – in fact, healthy people over 100 years of age have significantly higher levels of glutathione than the general population. There are over 90,000 studies published on different aspects of glutathione, on everything from Parkinson’s disease, to cardiovascular damage, to cancer treatment and prevention, to autoimmune diseases, to even autism and related disorders. I could write the rest of this page on diseases for which glutathione is crucial.
Unfortunately, in the presence of disease, environmental exposures, and genetics, our body’s ability to make this critical compound diminishes greatly. With certain genetic inefficiencies, glutathione production can be reduced 50% or more, and it is estimated that nearly 1 in 3 people has this genetic variant! Age reduces glutathione production, too. By age 40, we are making 30% less, and by 65, as much as 50% less – and that is in healthy individuals. Anyone with liver stress or disease is going to be making significantly less. Since glutathione is so powerful, and the lack of adequate levels is associated with too many diseases to count, why don’t we all just load up on glutathione every day?
The answer is simple. Glutathione loses its super powers with digestion. It becomes oxidized, and then it adds to your body’s oxidative stress burden. It is not a matter of enteric coating, or stomach acid – it is the digestive process itself that transforms glutathione into its unfavourable form. That’s why elite integrative medical clinics give this life-saving compound intravenously (directly into the bloodstream), sometimes at a cost of thousands of dollars to their patients. You just couldn’t take glutathione orally until more recently but even this method can prove costly and inefficient.
Lifewave Glutathione patches are designed to be used ON the skin or even Under or Over clothing, on acupuncture points. No chemicals enter your body. The patch helps your own body make its own glutathione, and is clinically proven to raise glutathione by 300% within 24 hours. Far higher than ingested or IV Induced also far safer, easy to use and with NO harmful side effects! Use a new patch every day during acute situations or when travelling, and use a new patch every third day for maintenance.
THE PATCHES RAISE GLUTATHIONE LEVELS MORE EFFECTIVELY THAN AN OTHER PRODUCT KNOWN. EFFECTIVELY YOUR BODY HEALING YOUR BODY!
We have a list of “Diseases with Documented Links to Low Glutathione” we can send to enquirers. Rob Wellnessplus@adam.com.au
If a person has IBS, they shouldn’t eat cauliflower, cabbage or broccoli. What do you suggest then?
I just came to know about glutathione when 4Life launched Glutamine Plus in Malaysia. It comes with Nano Factor for immune system support. With all the benefits of glutathione and Nano Factor, I’m gonna continue to consume this supplement.
Glutathione has proven to be the mother of all antioxidants time and time again. Immunocal is the best nutraceutical you can buy because it helps your body naturally produce its own doses without introducing anything new to your body. Find out more in my website.
Ribocein is the most advanced glutathione technology
Riboceine is a compound made up of a sugar d-ribose and an amino acid L-cysteine. This simple but brilliant combo gets thru the stomach
And increases your body’s glutathione levels.
I have been using this MAX riboceine product myself for about a year after treatment for cancer and I feel better than I have in years!!
What about the sugar in this product? Because cancers feeds off sugar
Wow! Very informative blog about glutathione. Thanks for this.
You forgot to mention eggs, meat and lever, which are extremely high in sulfur. But of course we are not allowed to talk about animal products, as we should all only consume plants.
You really make it seem so easy together with your presentation but I to find this topic to be actually something which I think I would never
understand. It seems too complex and very large
for me. I am looking ahead to your subsequent post,
I will try to get the grasp of it!
Scientists and medical doctors have known for decades that glutathione, which is produced by the body itself, is the primary protector and detoxifier of the cell. However, under oxidative stress conditions, the glutathione levels become depleted. Also, from near the age of forty, the body’s ability to produce glutathione decreases gradually, then more rapidly at older age. For years, medical scientists have looked for ways to effectively raise the levels of glutathione. At one time, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) was the only supplement available to enhance the body’s supply of cysteine to enable the production of glutathione. However, Dr. Herbert T. Nagasawa was able to develop a revolutionary molecule known as RiboCeine that effectively delivers cysteine to the cell to support the natural production of glutathione–for which Max International was awarded a U.S. Patent.RiboCeine is a unique molecule that combines ribose and cysteine, nutrients that occur naturally in our bodies. RiboCeine once ingested will be absorbed, enters the bloodstream and delivers cysteine and ribose to the cells, supporting glutathione production as well as providing ribose, an integral part of ATP, our cells’ natural fuel and source of energy. RiboCeine significantly outperformed other means of glutathione enhancement against which it has been tested. It has been the subject of twenty- two scientific studies funded by the National Institutes of Health or other scientific funding agencies and published in peer-reviewed journals.