Glutathione has been referred to as the “mother of all antioxidants.” When we are exposed to toxins, glutathione is used up faster than it can be produced. Antioxidants repair and prevent the damage and inflammation that is caused by toxins. Glutathione is a combination of three amino acids: cysteine, glutamic acid, and glucine. It is found in every cell in the body. The job of glutathione is to neutralize free radicals, thereby preventing damage to the cells. Glutathione is a critical component to reducing inflammation and enhancing the functions of the immune system
Your natural glutathione level can be low for many reasons, such as if you had recent surgery, have an auto-immune disorder, a diet high in processed foods, take many medications, or have mercury fillings. Glutathione plays a major role in the detoxification of ethanol (consumed as alcoholic beverages) and people who routinely drink will experience Glutathione depletion. Aging is another factor; as the body ages glutathione levels may drop below the level necessary to maintain healthy immune function (among other processes).Glutathione injections can be used to restore you to healthy blood levels
Glutathione is so important for optimum health is that it’s present in every cell in the body. One way antioxidants like glutathione help maintain good physical health is by neutralizing free radicals, which can cause cellular damage through oxidation
Glutathione and Immune Function
Glutathione plays an important role in immune function. It promotes the T-cell function that’s essential for a healthy immune system and safeguards from environmental toxins
Decreased glutathione (GSH) levels in the cells lining the respiratory tract may enhance susceptibility to influenza
Glutathione improves immune function of lymphocytes, natural killer cells, and T-cells
Acute illness increases oxidative stress and can deplete Glutathione levels; Glutathione supplementation can improve the body’s ability to recover
Adequate levels of Glutathione are essential for optimal immune system function
Decline in Glutathione with age is associated with increased susceptibility to disease
Other Methods to Keep a Strong Healthy Immune System
SLEEP – Your immune system requires large amounts of energy, so it depends on adequate sleep to function at full capacity. Without sufficient sleep, your body makes fewer cytokines, a type of protein that targets infection and inflammation. Aim for a minimum of 7-8 hours of quality restful sleep each night. Hormone imbalance in men and women also attribute to a lack of deep REM sleep, if this is you have your Provider run a complete hormone panel
STRESS – Stress reduces the immune system’s ability to fight off antigens and therefore more susceptible to infections. Behaviorally the stress hormone corticosteroid can reduce the immune system function by lowering the number of lymphocytes. Many patients have unhealthy was of coping with stress such as drinking and smoking that hurt the immune function Leading symptoms of hormone imbalance are Anxiety, Irritability, Rapid Mood swings hormone levels impact the cortisol levels in the body and impact our overall sense of well being, if this is you have your Provider run a complete hormone panel
DIET – Eat a healthy well balanced diet centered around real foods rich in probiotics (Citrus fruits, red peppers, carrots, sweet potatoes, almonds, sunflower seeds, baked beans, walnuts, green vegetables, etc.
EXERCISE – Stimulates change in antibodies and white blood cells and this is the bodies immune system that fights disease. Exercise can assist the body in flushing bacteria from the lungs and airways reducing chance of illness
DON’T SMOKE
ALCOHOL – only in moderation
D3 – Modulates the immune system function and a deficiency reduces the bodies ability to fight off infections
Who Could Benefit Most From Glutathione Injections?
Anyone looking to enhance/stimulate their immune system
People at greater risk of cancer
The aging population — glutathione can slow the aging process