Although you may not have heard of it, glutathione is a potent molecule that can positively impact your health. Although many people suffer from a glutathione deficiency, the good news is that there is plenty you can do to counteract chronically low levels.
Here are the key facts you need to know about this remarkable substance and how you can increase its presence in your system.
What is glutathione?
Glutathione is an antioxidant that is naturally produced by your liver. It contains sulfur, which attracts toxins in the body so that they can be safely excreted. Unfortunately, the constant barrage of poisons from unhealthy food, medication, lack of exercise, stress, and pollution in the environment can dramatically reduce your body’s supply of glutathione, limiting its ability to get rid of dangerous chemicals that enter your body from your environment. In short, a high toxin load diminishes this precious antioxidant’s ability to protect you from further toxins.
It is estimated that your body produces around 10% less glutathione every decade, meaning that your overall levels reduce by as much as 50% by the time you’re entering older age. This decline in antioxidant levels is connected to a higher risk of major illnesses and generally poor energy levels.
What are the health benefits of glutathione?
Since glutathione assists in ridding the body of toxins, it can improve overall well-being, help you to maintain a more youthful appearance and afford you some measure of protection from disease. In particular, antioxidants are suspected of playing a pivotal role in fighting cancer, guarding your cells against dangerous changes that lead to the development of tumors.
The benefits of glutathione are widely regarded as the most powerful antioxidant in your body’s arsenal, so it can reasonably be expected to be maximally effective at fighting cancer. It is also routinely administered to those already with cancer, as it has been shown to minimize the expected side effects of chemotherapy. There is also a compelling connection between glutathione and a reduced risk of heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease, and other forms of dementia.
Further, the anti-aging benefits of glutathione don’t just influence the number of wrinkles on your face or your skin’s elasticity. This fantastic molecule even slows the internal aging process, potentially keeping your major organs functioning more effectively for longer and helping you to feel energized well into later life.
How can you increase your levels of glutathione?
Firstly, increasing the amount of sulphur in your diet is vital. Plenty of healthy foods are rich in sulphur, so it’s easy to amend your intake once you are know-how. Significant examples include green vegetables like kale, broccoli, and cabbage, along with onions and garlic. As a bonus, all these vegetables come with the additional health benefits of glutathione. For example, kale is an unbeatable vitamin A source, helping maintain your vision. Onions may reduce your risk of developing diabetes by making it easier for your body to regulate blood sugar levels.
Secondly, if you want to enjoy higher glutathione levels, you should exercise regularly. As well as boosting your cardiovascular health and helping you cultivate a toned physique, exercise enhances your body’s detoxification systems and improves immune system function. If you’re not used to exercising, you can start by working out once or twice a week, but you should aim for at least half an hour of vigorous exercise at least three times a week. The trick is to find a workout that you genuinely enjoy, whether it’s a long swim after work or a rewarding jog through a beautiful park.
It’s also worth noting that whey protein can help your body produce more glutathione. Commonly used by people trying to get the best results from strength training, whey protein provides you with plenty of amino acids required to make glutathione. It also reduces hunger and encourages your body to shed fat, making it an ideal purchase if you’re working to lose excess weight. Meanwhile, supplements that support glutathione synthesis are also becoming more popular. In particular, you should look for selenium and methylation nutrients (such as folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6). All of these nutrients support your body in making and recycling more glutathione.
Although the above tips will increase the amount of glutathione in your body, taking acetyl glutathione may be the most effective measure. It wasn’t easy to synthesize any effective supplement form of this antioxidant, but these exciting new developments allow easy absorption. However, a high dose of acetyl glutathione should be accompanied by natural mineral supplementation—seaweed is one commonly recommended solution.
