Glutathione: crucial for overall health
Glutathione is one of the most important antioxidants we create and is present in virtually every cell in the body.
Research has demonstrated that the glutathione concentration in most cells is roughly equivalent to the amount of glucose and cholesterol, which is incredible. We focus so much on glucose control and cholesterol balance, but what about ensuring we have enough glutathione on board?
There are many factors that can interfere with optimal glutathione levels: aging, genetics, toxins and health conditions. By the fourth decade of life, we are making 30% less glutathione. By age 65, we produce around 50% less glutathione. Those reductions are found in healthy individuals. How many people come to see you when they are healthy? Probably a small percentage of patients.
That means when it comes to patient antioxidant questions, most of them are either glutathione-insufficient or downright deficient. One clinical study found that low glutathione levels in older individuals were associated with a 24% difference in the risk of morbidity compared to those with higher levels.
Glutathione needs to be converted into its active form, and the liver is the primary organ involved in this process. With over 30% of adults in the United States dealing with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, we can then speculate at least that many people struggle with converting raw materials (NAC) into usable, active glutathione. There are many other health conditions themselves that may be both the cause and result of deficiencies in glutathione.
At SkinMed we offer to our clients weekly IV therapy with high dose Glutathione or in combination with Vitamin C and alpha-lipoic acid.
