Liver Detoxification Article 2

Liver Detoxification

Article 2

Glutathione: What Exactly Is It?

As discussed in Liver Detoxification, Article 1, Glutathione is made endogenously in the liver. Glutathione is a tripeptide (3-amino acid protein-like structure) composed of:

• glutamic acid

• cysteine

• glycine

Of the above three stated components, cysteine is the most important. Cysteine limits the production of glutathione and is considered a conditionally essential amino acid; meaning if the body can’t make enough it must be ingested. It contains a sulfhydryl group, which means it can easily donate an electron thus can neutralize (quench) a free radical or interact with another molecule containing a sulfhydryl group.

The whole free radical quenching/electron donating process may sound complex but each of us has experienced this phenomenon. The smell of rotten eggs is the result of the same chemical reaction (oxidation). An eggshell is cracked and the sulfhydryl group of cysteine, one of the amino acids in egg whites, reacts with a free radical from the environment and donates an electron, thus rebalancing (neutralizing) the molecule. The result of this reaction is a very characteristic and unpleasant smell.

Perhaps we should be thankful that we cannot smell the processes occurring continuously inside our body.

Glutathione is found in every cell of the body and is a powerful micronutrient necessary for optimum health and well-being. It is particularly concentrated in the liver (the detoxifying organ) and the spleen (immune defense system), but the highest amount of glutathione is found in the skin (the largest organ of the body). Glutathione reaches concentrations that are thousands of times greater than vitamins such as C, E, and/or A. When Glutathione is present and functioning properly it is responsible for many things:

1. Major endogenous (meaning the body makes it) antioxidant of the body with HIGH electron donor capacity

2. Is important in the development of healthy DNA

3. Recycles other major antioxidants such as Vitamin C & E

4. Decreases the formation of oxidized LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterols; THE BAD cholesterols

5. Cofactor for methylating enzymes (BY THE WAY, metabolism is an enzymatic process)

6. Repairs inflammatory damage to cells

7. Regulates the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines

8. Regulates the synthesis of several neurotransmitters

9. AND many more nerdy scientific things

Lifestyle related measures that impede Glutathione productions are, but are not limited to:

• Obesity

• Alcoholism

• Immunosuppressive Activities

• Heavy Metal Poisoning

• Incessant Inflammation

The consequences of Micronutrient deficiency of this important molecule vary per organ and/or organ system, because Glutathione is present in all of our cells. Below is a list of the some symptoms and/or lifestyle related diseases thats’ severity and/or cause are tied to the deficiency of Glutathione:

Cardiovascular System: Angina and/or spastic angina, unstable angina, heart attacks, positive stress tests

Pulmonary System: COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, asthma, chronic bronchitis

Neurological System: Migraine headaches, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, multi infarct dementia, autism, ADHD, bipolar disorder, muscular sclerosis, depression and more

Ophthalmological System: Cataracts, macular degeneration

Immune System: Hepatitis A,B &C, Herpes simplex, Herpes zoster/shingles, Influenza & Bird Flu, HIV, MRSA, common viral infections, many gastroenteritis related patterns

Rheumatological Conditions: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Rheumatoid arthritis, Behcet's Syndrome, fibromyalgia, Systemic Sclerosis and more

Dermatological Conditions: Acne, psoriasis, visible premature again, atopic dermatitis, eczema and more

Oncological Conditions: EVERY CANCER STUDIED

Experimental and observational science has taken our knowledge of Glutathione to the next level. What we now know can help us better care for our Liver and therefore support Glutathione production. Here is some convincing proof that science has proven:

• Glutathione production reduces with age

• Glutathione is better maintained in healthy subjects compared to unhealthy subjects, independent of age

• Although Glutathione decreases with age, subjects who reach 100 years of age have higher concentration of Glutathione than any group except young (20 to 30-year-old), healthy adults

• Calorie restriction, the only proven technique to prolong life (in animal studies) is correlated with increased levels of Glutathione

• Increased Glutathione is associated with increased mitochondrial reactivity (increased ATP production) required for sustained physical and/or mental health activities

• Decreased Glutathione is associated with decreased mitochondrial activity associated with being sedentary, inactive or obese