Glutathione

Glutathione is your body’s master antioxidant, meaning it’s a powerful ally in managing inflammation and autoimmunity, and preventing tissue destruction. It also helps protect your cells from pathogens and viruses, and lowers the risk of developing food and chemical sensitivities.⁠⠀
It helps prevent cellular damage caused by oxidative stress, pollutants, medication, heavy metals (mercury, lead and cadmium), alcohol and other toxic substances. Glutathione can also help recycle other anti-oxidants such as vitamin C.
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Glutathione can be made in the body. ⠀
Most dietary glutathione is destroyed in the gastrointestinal tract so it might be better to provide the raw materials – cysteine, glycine and glutamic acid, for the body to manufacture it. Glycine and glutamic acid are readily available but Cysteine is found in sulphurous foods such as garlic, onions and cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, kale, cabbage, cauliflower and watercress) and in meat, eggs and dairy. ⠀
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The following factors continually deplete our glutathione:⁠⠀
⁠Environmental toxins⁠⠀
Unhealthy diets⁠⠀
Chronic stress⁠⠀
Inflammation⁠⠀
Medications⁠⠀
Alcohol⁠⠀
Aging⁠⠀
And more! ⁠⠀
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Having genetic variants on your Glutathione genes can mean you are less resilient already and the above factors could impact you more than someone without any variants on their genes. GST glutathione genes are found in the Female Health Gold DNA (Nutrient Core & Oestrogen Balance reports) and Detox report. ⁠⠀
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Glutathione supplements and precursors come in many different forms so it’s good to get advice on the right one for you. ⁠⠀
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I have SNPs on my glutathione genes and I don’t detox well so I like to use NAC which is well-absorbed orally. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a derivative of the amino acid cysteine. When consumed, NAC gets absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, sent to the liver, and converted to cysteine. The liver uses cysteine to produce glutathione, which then enters the bloodstream and gets distributed throughout the body.⠀I currently use it combined with Alpha Lipoic Acid and Betaine.