Amino Acids

	Folic Acid
	Glutathione
	Glycine
	Methionine
	Ornithine
	Phenylalanine
	Proline
	Taurine
	Threonine
	Tryptophan
	Tyrosine
	Valine

Glutathione - Benefits, Deficiency Symptoms And Food Sources

Glutathione or L Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant which is found within every cell. It is a small protein which is made by the three amino acids: cysteine, glutamic acid, and glycine. Because glutathione exists within the cells, it is in a prime position to neutralize free radicals. It also extra tendency of health benefits because it can be found in all types of cells, like the cells of the immune system, whose job is to fight disease. Glutathione is also found in the lungs and intestinal tract where it assists in carbohydrate metabolism as well as breaking down oxidized fats.

Functions and Benefits of Glutathione

Glutathione is crucial to cell life, and impairment of the glutathione system results in damage to the cell membrane and cell death. There is a direct correlation with the speed of aging and the reduction of glutathione concentrations in intracellular fluids. As individuals grow older, glutathione levels drop, and the ability to detoxify free radicals decreases. Glutathione synthesis occurs within cells in two closely linked, enzymatically controlled reactions that utilize ATP and draw on nonessential amino acids as substrates. GSH synthesis is dependant on the availability of substrates.

Glutathione levels also help to protect the body from oxidative stress and oxidative stress. Thus, glutathione levels are correlated with aging and physical function. Another important role of this amino acid that the gastrointestinal tract in humans contains large amounts of the enzyme gamma glutamyltranspeptidase that appears to effectively break down glutathione before a significant amount can enter the blood stream.

Recommended Dosage for Glutathione

There is very little evidence that taking glutathione supplements provides any benefit, despite promising evidence about the effects of aerosol, intravenous, and intramuscular glutathione, for people with a wide variety of conditions. Adult servings begin with 1.5 teaspoonfuls (approx. 650mg) twice daily for 7 to 10 days and can be lowered to one teaspoonful (approx. 430mg) daily. Recommended child servings are 1/8 to ¼ of a teaspoon (approx. 55-108mg) for every 30 lbs of the child's weight, twice a day.

Food Sources of Glutathione

Food sources of Glutathione glutathione is found in fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, fish, and meat. Asparagus, avocado, and walnuts are particularly rich dietary sources of glutathione.

Deficiency Symptoms of Glutathione

Glutathione synthetase deficiency is very rare. This disorder has been described in about 70 people worldwide. There is also some concern, however, about the safety of taking glutathione for the one condition for which there is the greatest evidence of its usefulness: cancer. Glutathione deficiency contributes to oxidative stress, which plays a key role in aging and the worsening of many diseases including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, liver disease, cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, HIV, AIDS, heart attack, and diabetes.