Glutathione

An Amino Acid

Description:

The tripeptide glutathione (GSH) is a nonessential amino acid made up of glycine, glutamic acid and cysteine molecules. The 'G' in GSH is glutathione and the 'SH' refers to the thiol (sulfur) grouping.

Plants/Foods:

• Fresh fruits
• Fresh meats
• Fresh vegetables, especially asparagus and avocados

Physiologic Functions:

• Forms GSH peroxidase which reduces peroxides
• Forms GSH S-transferases in the liver reducing toxic and carcinogenic substances into less harmful products
• Found in lymphocytes, phagocytes, macrophages of prostaglandin leukotriene C
• GSH is a reducing agent
• Helps detox the liver of poisonous chemicals, especially alcohol
• Helps protect integrity of red blood cells
• Indirectly helps transport amino acids across membranes
• Involved in red blood cell membranes
• Neurotransmitter
• Powerful antioxidant
• Protects stomach lining against stomach acid

Clinical Indications:

• Aging prevention
• AIDS
• Cancer prevention
• Bipolar disease
• Cataract prevention
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Fertility/Infertility
• Hepatitis
• Macular degeneration
• Parkinson's disease
• Rheumatoid arthritis patients who take 8-10 aspirin/day
• Schizophrenia
• Arsenic poisoning
• Fatty liver from thionamide, cleaning compound carbon tetrachloride, alcoholism, hepatitis, liver tumors
• Lead toxicity
• Mercury toxicity
• Minamata disease (caused by mercury intoxication)
• PCP/angel dust (phencyclidine) overdose in conjunction with lavage, charcoal and magnesium citrate
• Phenacetin and aspirin overdoses Protects cells from lethal effects of ionizing radiation
• Prevents ulcers caused by medications such as aspirin, phenylbutazone, and other NSAIDS (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
• Protects against automobile exhaust
• Protects lungs from cigarette smoke
• Used in adjunct to hyperbaric oxygen treatment

Causes of Deficiencies:

• Any pathological condition that depletes glutathione
• Cysteine deficiency causes a glutathione deficiency

Contraindications:

• Patients with cystinuria

Toxicity:

• Do not take in extremely high doses (7 gm./day)

Copyright 1998 - 2008 by L. Vicky Crouse, ND and James S. Reiley, ND. All rights reserved (ISSN 1527-0661).