Your Body and Glutathione
Remember how that salmon fillet smelled after you mistakenly left it out all night? It oxidized. Oxidative stress happens when oxidants (free radicals) and antioxidants are out of balance. Oxidation damages cells and tissues.
The good news? The body manufactures the most powerful antioxidant of them all, glutathione. The bad news? As you get older, your body’s ability to make glutathione becomes less efficient. That makes the right diet and supplementation even more important as you age.
Many people are confused about antioxidants. So, think about an automobile. The engine makes exhaust. If there’s too much exhaust, it will eventually wear out the engine. So you change the oil to keep the engine running cleaner. Similarly, your body burns fuel constantly. You make exhaust (free radicals) 24/7. To help our body run cleaner so it will hopefully last longer, you need mouthfuls of antioxidants. Now you know you need them, and why. What is the next step?
A nutrient-rich diet high in antioxidants will help. Berries are loaded with them! Other foods rich in antioxidants include dark green vegetables, sweet potatoes, garlic, fresh herbs, beets, kidney beans, green tea and dark chocolate. But that may still not be enough.
Glutathione is one of the most-studied antioxidants, and for good reason. It’s the number-one antioxidant, the head guy. If you’re not making enough, you may need to take a supplement that provides the raw materials to help your cells naturally make more glutathione.
To make a smart choice, know the science behind a supplement. Is it proven to be bioavailable? That is, does it get into the body and from your gut into your blood? Many supplements go in the top end of your body and out the bottom, and never get into your bloodstream. And second, have the healthful effects of the supplement been proven? It’s important to use a supplement that is effective at increasing glutathione levels within the cells, where it’s needed.
Learn more about the fascinating biochemistry behind how to help your cells make more glutathione at GlutathioneReporter.com.