Glutathione as a Powerful Antioxidant and Detoxifier in a Healthy Body

As an antioxidant, glutathione is the body’s strongest defense against oxidative stress that damages cell membranes. Oxidative stress has been linked to degenerative diseases, heart disease, cancer, memory and other neurologic problems, autoimmunity, arthritis, diabetes, and premature aging. Glutathione is the only antioxidant that works with enzymes throughout the body. It also binds to many chemical toxins including heavy metals and helps remove them from the body. There are tests to measure glutathione activity but they are not very reliable. Glutathione is poorly absorbed in the gut, but adding certain lipid factors can help. Certain nutrients can enhance the body’s glutathione activity, such as n-acetyl cysteine (NAC), selenium and vitamin E with mixed tocopherals. Intravenous glutathione can positively stimulate immune function and enhance healing. See Guilford, Tim. What Every Doctor Should Know About Glutathione. Holistic Primary Care, Fall 2012. P. 8.