Glutathione is the protector of the most important parts of the cell – the mitochondria
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Glutathione is a tripeptide found in every cell of our body. It is composed of three amino acids: glycine, cysteine and glutamic acid and is a cofactor for dozens of enzymatic reactions.
It is produced in the body first by joining glutamic acid and cysteine, and then by adding glycine to form reduced GSH , the active and most abundant form of glutathione.
Glutathione is often called the “master antioxidant” , because almost all bodily functions depend on its level: respiratory, immune and cardiovascular functions, the body’s detoxification process, carbohydrate metabolism, cognitive health and many others.
Glutathione can be found in almost every cell of the body in the same concentration as some of the most important nutrients for energy and cellular function, such as glucose, potassium, and even cholesterol.
How does glutathione help the body fight free radicals?
Our body produces free radicals , highly reactive and unstable molecules, which naturally occur as a byproduct of normal metabolism in the process of breathing, breaking down nutrients, movement and all other bodily functions.
Free radicals are atoms that lack an electron, which are normally always found in pairs. This is their weapon of sorts, because they react to almost everything they come into contact with, robbing the cells of one of their electrons.
Due to this lack of electrons, they are constantly looking to bond with another atom or molecule in order to stabilize themselves. It is this process of taking away electrons from healthy cells that causes damage and oxidative stress.
This affects our overall health as well as how quickly we age. Junk food and toxins make this condition even worse. Glutathione is there to, as an antioxidant, bind free radicals and prevent them from damaging our cells.
Its main function is protection against oxidative stress and detoxification of harmful by-products of metabolism.
However, there are circumstances when the demand for it can increase due to illness, stress, poor diet, toxins and aging.
The good news is that lifestyle changes can increase glutathione levels. The Mediterranean diet, foods such as whey, broccoli sprouts, okra, avocados, asparagus, and other antioxidant-rich foods, can indirectly support healthy glutathione levels. Glutathione is at its lowest level in the morning, so it should be supplemented daily with a healthy diet or quality supplements.
Glutathione restores other antioxidants
Glutathione not only neutralizes free radicals, but also has the ability to reactivate other antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E. After antioxidants such as vitamins C and E neutralize free radicals, they themselves become unstable radicals.
Glutathione then helps recycle these unstable molecules, returning them to active function and expanding their oxidant scavenging and neutralizing abilities.
How does glutathione help eliminate toxins?
Glutathione supports the function of the liver, kidneys and digestive tract – the body’s main detoxification pathways. It helps in two main ways:
- Eliminates toxins, chemicals and potential carcinogens that the body has already absorbed
- It intercepts and neutralizes toxins in the digestive tract before they are absorbed
Liver and glutathione
Glutathione is most often valued for its function in liver detoxification, because it binds to heavy metals, chemicals and other toxic substances, making them more soluble in water, so they can be more easily removed from the body through urine or stool.
Respiratory system
The respiratory system contains an abundance of glutathione, because it is one of the first body systems to react to external threats. The nose, mouth, throat and lungs constantly react to a large number of free radicals, which are created due to the presence of environmental toxins, dust, smog, smoke, viruses and bacteria.
Glutathione is so important for the lungs, that the liquid lining their walls contains 140 times more glutathione than that circulating in the blood.
Immune system
Glutathione is necessary for many functions of the immune system, especially for the creation and maintenance of a normal number of white blood cells .
Certain types of immune cells, known as T-cells, are responsible for coordinating the appropriate immune response. Glutathione is necessary to create a balance between the two main types of T-cells, known as T-1 and T-2.
Cognitive health
Maintaining optimal glutathione levels is important for supporting cognitive function, especially during aging.
The normal aging process is associated with reduced glutathione levels, which can result in increased oxidative stress in the nervous system. Lower levels of glutathione are observed in individuals with cognitive decline.
On the other hand, people who live to old age usually have higher glutathione values.
How to choose an effective glutathione supplement?
Standard oral glutathione supplements have poor bioavailability and absorption, due to the action of digestive enzymes that can break it down very quickly. Given the low effectiveness of capsules and tablets, it is important to choose another way to deliver glutathione. 
Setria®, the highest quality reduced L-glutathione that can be found on the market today, is produced in Japan, at Kyowa Hakko Bio Co.,Ltd, by an innovative fermentation process, from which the purest form of glutathione is obtained.
Clinically tested, Setria® glutathione is produced without additives, allergens, artificial flavors and without the use of substances of animal origin.
Several scientific papers have confirmed that, when taken orally, Setria® glutathione significantly replenishes the body’s glutathione reserves. This is precisely why LivOnLabs chose Setria® glutathione for its advanced liposomal delivery system (which it patented and perfected in 2004), to create a product with the highest degree of absorption.
Altrient Liposomal Glutathione , manufactured by LivOnLabs, has 30 sachets, and each sachet contains 450 mg of premium, clinically tested Setria® glutathione with an additional 500 mg of phosphatidylcholine.
Learn more about: Liposomal Glutathione
