The function of glutathione explained

By SWA

 

Glutathione is a crucial antioxidant and molecule with a wide range of functions in the human body. Its primary function is to protect cells from oxidative stress and damage caused by free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS).

What does glutathione do to your body?
Your cells contain glutathione, which is a substance made from three amino acids: cysteine, glutamate, and glycine. Glutathione acts as an important antioxidant in your body. That means it helps combat free radicals. These are molecules that can damage your body's cells.

Here are some of the key functions of glutathione:

  1. Antioxidant Defense: Glutathione acts as one of the body's most important antioxidants. It helps neutralize and detoxify harmful free radicals and ROS, which are produced during normal metabolic processes and in response to various environmental stressors (e.g., pollution, radiation, toxins, and infections). By doing so, glutathione helps prevent cellular damage and oxidative stress.

  2. Detoxification: Glutathione plays a vital role in the detoxification of harmful substances within the body. It facilitates the removal of various toxins, including heavy metals (such as mercury and lead), drugs, and carcinogens, by binding to them and making them more water-soluble, which allows for their excretion through urine and bile.

  3. Immune System Support: Glutathione is essential for a properly functioning immune system. It helps immune cells, particularly lymphocytes, function effectively in defending the body against infections. Low levels of glutathione can weaken immune responses.

  4. DNA Synthesis and Repair: Glutathione is involved in the synthesis and repair of DNA, the genetic material in cells. This function is critical for maintaining the integrity of the genome and preventing mutations that could lead to cancer and other diseases.

  5. Protein and Enzyme Function: Glutathione helps maintain the proper function of various enzymes and proteins within cells. It participates in redox reactions, which are essential for energy production and various metabolic processes.

  6. Regeneration of Other Antioxidants: Glutathione can regenerate other antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, back to their active forms after they have been used to neutralize free radicals. This recycling process extends the antioxidant activity of these vitamins.

  7. Skin Health: Glutathione has gained popularity in the field of skincare due to its potential to lighten skin tone. While more research is needed in this area, some studies suggest that glutathione may reduce the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color.

  8. Cellular Health and Longevity: Maintaining optimal levels of glutathione is associated with overall cellular health and may contribute to longevity by protecting cells from damage and maintaining their normal function.

It's important to note that glutathione levels can be influenced by factors such as age, genetics, diet, and certain medical conditions. Some people take glutathione supplements or receive it intravenously for various health purposes, but it's essential to consult with a healthcare professional before using glutathione supplements, as its effects and safety can vary depending on individual circumstances.

What are free radicals

Free radicals are highly reactive molecules or atoms that contain unpaired electrons in their outermost electron shell. This unpaired electron makes them unstable and highly reactive, as they seek to stabilize themselves by "stealing" electrons from other molecules, leading to a chain reaction of damage to surrounding molecules. Free radicals are a natural byproduct of various physiological and metabolic processes in the body, and they can also be generated by external factors, such as exposure to environmental toxins, radiation, and certain chemicals.

Here are some important points to understand about free radicals:

  1. Formation: Free radicals can be generated during normal cellular processes, such as metabolism, where oxygen is involved (a process called oxidative metabolism). Examples include the production of free radicals during energy production in mitochondria. Environmental factors, such as ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, tobacco smoke, and pollution, can also generate free radicals.

  2. Types: Common free radicals include superoxide anion (O2•-), hydroxyl radical (•OH), and nitric oxide (•NO), among others. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are a class of free radicals that contain oxygen atoms and are particularly relevant in biological systems.

  3. Damage: When free radicals react with cellular components, such as lipids, proteins, and DNA, they can cause oxidative damage. This damage can lead to cell dysfunction, mutation, inflammation, and even cell death. Over time, oxidative stress, which results from an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants, can contribute to various diseases and aging.

  4. Role in Health and Disease: While excessive levels of free radicals can be harmful and contribute to diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative disorders, they also play important roles in normal physiological processes. For example, immune cells use free radicals to kill invading pathogens. However, the body usually maintains a balance between free radicals and antioxidants to minimize damage.

  5. Antioxidants: Antioxidants are molecules that neutralize free radicals by donating electrons without becoming unstable themselves. They help protect cells and tissues from oxidative damage. Some common antioxidants include vitamins C and E, glutathione, and enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase.

  6. Diet and Lifestyle: A diet rich in fruits and vegetables, which contain antioxidants, can help mitigate the effects of free radicals. Additionally, avoiding exposure to excessive UV radiation, pollution, and tobacco smoke can reduce the generation of free radicals.

In summary, free radicals are chemically reactive molecules with unpaired electrons that can cause damage to cells and contribute to various health issues when their levels are excessive. Maintaining a balance between free radicals and antioxidants is crucial for overall health and well-being.

Blood test for glutathione?
The tripeptide, γ-l-glutamyl-l-cysteinyl-glycine known as glutathione (GSH). 
 
"Chills and No Fever? Maybe Your Deficient in This" 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcQaXtiDRRQ

 

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