Glutathione (GSH) is an antioxidant. Its health benefits are protection against oxidative stress, relieving cardiovascular complications, enhancing athletic performance, increasing good brain health, improving liver health, glowing the skin, strengthening immune function, improving DNA health, preventing cellular damage, and enhancing insulin resistance.
What is Glutathione?
Glutathione is an antioxidant that offers a Large quantities of benefits to our health. It is involved in quite a few processes in the body. It repairs and builds body tissue and strengthens the immune system.
It is a substance produced naturally by our liver and is also found in many kinds of meats, vegetables and fruits. Although we can get glutathione supplements in any local food store, it is also naturally found in many vegetables and fruits such as:
- Avocados
- Squash
- Asparagus
- Potatoes
- Peppers
- Broccoli
- Oranges
- Apples
- Peaches
- Grapefruit
- Melons
Benefits of Glutathione
Glowing Skin
A lesser known benefit of glutathione is that it improves the health, appearance and quality of our skin. No wonder, a large number of skin whitening formulas and creams use it as an active ingredient. However, consuming glutathione orally also offers the same benefits for healthy looking skin.
Strengthens Immune Function
Our immune system is a collection of several antioxidants and cells. It also involves many processes to guard the body from infections and diseases. Boosting glutathione production fortifies our immune system to help us stay strong and healthy.
Increase DNA Health
DNA is the blueprint of our body and cells. Moreover, it is also crucial for the function and development of every living organism. Glutathione ensures that our DNA expression is in good shape and we continue to develop and function as optimally as possible.
Improves Psoriasis
According to a recent study, oral consumption of whey protein can improve psoriasis with or without additional treatment. Whey protein is also shown to raise glutathione levels. More research is needed to yield conclusive results.
Curbs Cellular Damages
A deficiency in antioxidants can lead to cellular damage in the liver. This is why; lack of glutathione frequently leads to the fatty liver among people who consume excessive alcohol.
Glutathione is proven to maintain good health of individuals with nonalcoholic and alcoholic chronic fatty liver disease.
Increasing Insulin Resistance
As we age, we tend to produce less glutathione. Researchers have used a combination of animal and human studies to probe deep into the role of glutathione in insulin resistance and successful weight management in older individuals. Interesting findings indicate that low glutathione levels are connected to higher rates of fat storing and lower fat burning rates in the body.
Relieves Cardiovascular Complications
Researchers have found an enzyme called glutathione peroxidase (GPx3) can significantly lower the risk of heart disease. (Published by PLoS One journals)
Another major benefit of glutathione is that it is good for the heart. A major risk factor of many of today’s cardiovascular diseases is endothelial dysfunction which takes place when the inner lining of your blood vessels or endothelium fails to function properly.
According to a recent study, glutathione seemed to improve endothelial function to a significant level by improving nitric oxide activity.
Prevents the Onset of Certain Types of Cancer
According to a review published in the journal Cell Biochemistry & Function, researchers have noted that glutathione plays a major role in removing and detoxifying carcinogens. Moreover, scientists have also discovered that we can intentionally diminish glutathione from tumor cells to make them susceptible to chemotherapy. This process is termed as chemo sensitization.
Enhances Athletic Performance
Glutathione provides a natural way to speed up recovery time and improve athletic performance. Anyone can benefit from glutathione to add more strength and stamina to their gym workout. However, it is particularly useful to professional athletes and footballers.
Since it combats free radical formation and oxidative stress, glutathione enhances muscular strength and muscle stamina.
Promotes Good Brain Health
Our brain is vulnerable to oxidative damage owing to its massive oxygen use. The oxidative damage is injurious to our neurological development and function and eventually lead to mitochondrial dysfunction as well as several neurodegenerative disorders.
Glutathione repairs and prevents oxidative damage which means it is a great supplement for improving brain health. Consuming glutathione supplements eliminates toxicity and reduces free radical damage to improve cognitive function.
Improves Liver Health
There is no other important organ than the liver when it comes to strengthening our immunity and detoxifying the body. Hence, it comes as no surprise that the liver has high concentrations of glutathione.
You can successfully guarantee superior functioning of the liver by boosting levels of this master antioxidant and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. When there is less stress on your liver, you can prevent chronic inflammation which leads to more serious complications such as cirrhosis of the liver and the fatty liver disease.