What is glutathion?
Glutathion is a substance naturally produced by the human body through the synthesis of certain amino acids in the liver. It is also used by virtually every body cell to neutralize toxins. Because glutathion is composed of three amino acids, namely gamma-glutamic acid, cysteine and glycine acid, it is classified as a tripptide. Unlike some other tripptides, however, it has a unique structure of the connection of peptide in the cysteine and glutamate chains. The thiol group in the former allows the molecule to provide what is known as the reduction equivalent, which means the ability to donate one electron to other molecules that are unstable and highly reactive due to lack of balanced electron pairs. For this reason, this form is called reduced glutathion (GHS).
Most of this substance found in cells and body tissue are in the state of GHS. However, as electrons continue to donate, GHS molecules also become unstable due to unpaired electrons and eventually bind the molecule of the fellow citizens to createoxidized forms or glutathionic disulfide (GSSG). Of the total glutathion concentration in the body, it is only 10% like GSSG.
The primary function of glutathion is to provide antioxidant activity by regulating the reducing side chains of Cysteine Thiol when they follow the proteins. This action helps to prevent oxidative stress and damage to cells by free radicals. In fact, this substance is essential for protecting eyes, skin, kidney, liver and many other organs from toxic by -products produced by the body through normal metabolism. In the liver it helps in detoxification and removal of harmful toxins, including those generated by environmental pollution, and alcohol and drug consumption.
Glutathione also plays an important role in supporting a healthy immune system. For example, it inhibits inflammatory mediators such as leukotrienes, which are involved in various inflammatory disorders from ALergia after arthritis. Since research has shown the link between reduced glutathion and age -related diseases, experimental therapy is undergoing, helping to treat many age -related states such as cancer, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. There are also evidence that suggests that people involved in autoimmune disorders such as AIDS may have insufficient in this substance and can benefit from replenishment.
While several studies have shown the beneficial properties of glutathione, evidence that oral supplementation has any therapeutic value is less promising. On the one hand, this is not well absorbed in the complementary form. For other studies, they have shown that the additional dose does not necessarily increase the levels of circulating in the body, even if the gate is intravenously. However, increasing the intake of cysteine, the glutathione precursor, may increase the available levels in the cells. Studies have been eating that s-enenosylmethionin (sam-e), n-acetylcystein (NAC) and accessories made of non-resident whey forTein increases the levels of cysteine.
While glutathion supplementation is generally considered safe, certain risks and side effects should be considered. For example, individuals with allergy to milk protein (casein) should not take it. In addition, patients undergoing immune suppressing therapy should not take glutathion, including individuals who received organ transplantation. There were also reports of intestinal convulsions and flatulence, especially if the water intake is not increased.