Glutathione: The areas of action

The radical scavenger as a health indicator

Normally, the human body has a ratio of 9:1 between reduced and oxidized glutathione [3]. However, due to various toxic influences, the balance shifts towards the oxidized state.

Oxidized glutathione must first be restored by glutathione reductase to perform its functions as reduced glutathione. In general, glutathione concentration is significantly reduced in chronic diseases , such as excretory, digestive or cardiovascular diseases [4].

Glutathione: Influence on the aging process

Age is also a factor that has a massive impact on the body's own glutathione levels. Due to the age-related decline in the body's own synthesis, the glutathione status in the body deteriorates. It decreases from the age of around 45 and drops particularly rapidly after the age of 60 [5][6].

The loss of this protective function inevitably increases oxidative stress , which in turn can have a negative impact on the aging process . Based on current research, it is assumed that the glutathione level in the body has a decisive influence on aging [7].

A study from Denmark confirms this. The study compared the glutathione levels of people between the ages of 60 and 79 with those of people between the ages of 100 and 106. It was found that the body's own glutathione levels in the group of people over 100 were significantly higher than in the younger comparison group.

The 100-year-olds, who were in better health , also had high glutathione levels [8]. Although it was not clear whether genetic factors or environmental influences played the decisive role, the importance of glutathione levels for health could be illustrated.

Glutathione for shiny skin

There is initial evidence of the positive effects of glutathione on human skin . A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study conducted over 12 weeks shows that a dosage of just 250 mg of glutathione per day can have a positive effect.

The subjects who took glutathione showed a tendency towards increased skin elasticity compared to the placebo group. A reduction in wrinkles was also observed in the glutathione group [9]. Therefore, experts also consider the nutrient to be a suitable anti-aging agent .

Supporting the immune system

The reduced form of glutathione (GSH) is also very important for the immune system . It helps to activate T lymphocytes and supports the white blood cells , which are actively involved in fighting off pathogens. The peptide is also involved in the production of cytokines. These signaling molecules ensure efficient communication between immune cells and support the human defense system!

Glutathione and its influence on the human lungs

Glutathione is also highly regarded among lung researchers. The body's own glutathione system is one of the most important protective mechanisms of the human lung . It is a vital intra- and extracellular antioxidant that protects against oxidative and nitrosative stress and plays a key role in controlling inflammatory processes in the lungs [10]. Glutathione is present in the epithelial mucosal fluid of the lungs in a concentration 50 to 60 times higher than in blood plasma [11].

Inflammatory lung diseases are usually characterized by chronic inflammation and an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants. This is usually the main cause of cell damage [12]. If an external stress occurs, such as cigarette smoke, the lungs initially increase the body's own glutathione production to compensate for the increasing oxidative stress.

However, if the organism has to use more glutathione than usual due to negative environmental influences, it is doubtful whether the lungs can withstand the increased demand in the long term. Other factors can also influence lung function. For example, a bacterium that blocks the glutathione recycling mechanism in the lungs. According to researchers, this bacterium could be involved in why only about 20 percent of smokers develop COPD [13].

Liposomal Glutathione

Glutathione in food

Glutathione is not only produced by the body itself, but is also absorbed through food . The food sources for the nutrient are meat, poultry, fish, fresh fruit and vegetables . If you compare asparagus as a food with a high glutathione content of ~ 28 mg per 100 g with conventional whole wheat bread (~ 1.2 mg per 100 g), the differences become clear [15].

Consequently, a balanced diet can also support the intake of glutathione ! However, there are no studies on how much glutathione from food can actually be absorbed by the human body. Experts suspect that the nutrient has poor bioavailability , meaning that only a small part is absorbed and actually has an effect.

How can you increase the effects of glutathione?

A sufficient supply of proteins can ensure that new glutathione is produced in the body. In addition, taking cysteine, glycine and glutamic acid can help to boost the body's own synthesis. A sufficient supply of selenium also supports the enzymatic processes for glutathione synthesis.

Glutathione study:

Older people usually have lower glutathione levels . A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition [16] examined the effect of glutathione building blocks (cysteine ​​and glycine) in the 60 to 75 year old age group.

The aim was to find out whether the increasing oxidative stress and the reduced glutathione synthesis in older people can be compensated by nutritional supplementation with cysteine ​​and glycine. The result: 14 days of supplementation was able to increase the cellular glutathione concentration . A reduction in oxidative stress was also measured!

Effective intake to avoid glutathione deficiency

However, supplemental intake only makes sense if enough glutathione reaches the body . Due to its structure, the bioavailability of this nutrient is very low. Therefore, with conventional nutritional supplements, such as capsules and powder, only a small portion is usually absorbed and utilized by the body .

To eliminate this problem and ensure optimal absorption , ActiNovo encapsulates the nutrient in liposomes and thus offers liposomal nutritional supplements. Liposomal glutathione

A clinical study proves the increased bioavailability using liposomes ! In the study, the test subjects took 500 mg of glutathione per day over a period of 7 days. The study showed that the blood serum level of the test subjects increased by 63 times compared to standard products! The liposomal technology manages to exploit the full potential of glutathione without an injection!

Glutathione: Summary

Glutathione is an essential antioxidant for our body. The human body produces this small peptide itself, but studies have also shown that in cases of excessive oxidative stress caused by natural processes (aging) or external factors (pollution and stress) , additional intake of glutathione can help to stay healthy and vital! Due to the promising antioxidant properties, nutritionists recommend the preventive intake of liposomal glutathione to prevent glutathione deficiency. ActiNovo's liposomal products with optimized bioavailability can make a particularly reliable contribution to this.

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