Q. Dear Terry, “My doctor recommended I start taking glutathione. He didn’t have time to explain much about it, but he thought it would be good for a few of the conditions I have. What is glutathione and is it safe to take on a regular basis?” – Parker S., Buffalo, NY
A. Dear Parker, Glutathione is one of the most important compounds in your body. It is so crucial that your body makes its own, creating it from the amino acids glycine, cysteine, and glutamic acid. It is required for cellular defense, detoxification, and fighting the DNA-damaging effects of oxidative stress.
Ideally, our cells would be full of active glutathione. But that’s not always the case. Just when we need it the most, glutathione levels can drop. This is due to age, health challenges, environmental factors, genetics, or a combination of issues. By age 40, the majority of people are making 30% less glutathione, and by age 65, as much as 50% less – and that is in healthy individuals.
One of the trickiest parts about increasing the amount of glutathione with supplements is that during the digestive process the glutathione loses its super powers. When active glutathione becomes oxidized during digestion, it transforms into the unfavorable form of glutathione, and then it adds to your body’s oxidative stress burden. It is not a matter of enteric coating the supplement, or stomach acid – it is the digestive process itself that transforms glutathione into its unfavorable form.
Fortunately, research scientists in France have developed a way to keep glutathione stable and deliver it intact. This patented process combines glutathione with protective antioxidants, which allows it to significantly improve the ratio of active glutathione to oxidized glutathione, which other approaches are unable to do.
I recommend taking 150 to 300 mg of the reduced, active form of glutathione daily in order to support optimal glutathione levels.
Healthy Regards!
Terry . . . Naturally
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