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Supplement Godfather

Don Gauvreau MSc, CSCS
Don Gauvreau, A.K.A. The Supplement Godfather, is one of the leading researchers and product formulators in the sports supplement industry.
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Glutathione—The Godfather of all Molecules

What Is Glutathione?

Glutathione is a naturally occurring molecule found in all living cells. When glutathione levels are depleted, cells encounter functional problems and ultimately, death. Glutathione is best known for its incredible antioxidant capacity and enzyme cofactor properties. Its levels are highest in the liver, spleen, and kidney.

What Does Glutathione Do in the Body?
Glutathione is the mother of all antioxidants, the king of detoxifiers, and the master molecule of the immune system! It truly is one of the most important molecules—if not the most important—when it comes to optimal human health. It’s produced naturally in the body from three amino acids: cysteine, glycine, and glutamine. Glutathione contains sulfur chemical groups, and it’s this property that makes it so powerful. The sulfur properties of glutathione attract free radicals and toxins and help neutralize and remove them from the body.

Impaired Glutathione Metabolism
Glutathione is recycled in the body, but when stressors or toxins loads become too much, its levels become depleted. Glutathione metabolism can be hampered by a variety of stressors, including viral infections, heavy metal consumption, environmental toxins, radiation, inflammation, and nutritional deficiencies. In fact, over time, the genes that control glutathione metabolism can be impaired or destroyed and simply won’t allow the glutathione system to function at optimal levels. This is when chronic disease and cancers can take over.

The Importance of Glutathione in Human Health
Oxidative stress and toxins are the primary cause of all diseases and negative health conditions in the body. Glutathione is the key molecule that can counteract oxidative stress and toxins. If glutathione levels are reduced, your ability to combat free radical and toxin damage will also be reduced. Not only does glutathione act as the body’s most potent antioxidant, but it also helps recycle antioxidants. Glutathione is also the key to immune system function and its ability to fight diseases, cancer, and infections. Finally, glutathione is also the ultimate detoxifier. It helps removes toxins from the body as no other compound can.

Oral and IV Glutathione Treatment
Intravenous (IV) glutathione treatment is known to be an extremely effective delivery method for raising glutathione levels in the body. However, more recent research shows that oral glutathione treatment can also be effective. A recent presentation at the 2013 Experimental Biology conference highlighted a six-month study of supplementation with glutathione at a daily dose of 1,000 milligrams. The study involved 54 healthy adults that were randomly assigned to one of three groups. The first group received a placebo, while the second and third groups received 250 and 1,000 milligrams of glutathione. After six months of supplementation, the results showed that the 1,000-milligram dose increased glutathione levels by up to 35 percent in many physiological compartments, including red blood cells, lymphocytes, and plasma.