Glutathione

Glutathione is a Sulfur-containing, water-soluble, Tripeptidecomposed of three Amino Acids.

Amino Acids

 Glutathione is a transport vehicle for Cysteine.  ^[1]

Enzymes

 Glutathione is an essential component of Glutathione Peroxidase.

Minerals

 Glutathione may facilitate the absorption of essential Minerals. 

Nucleic Compounds

 Glutathione may activate enzymes that repair damaged Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA).  ^[2]

Vitamins

 Glutathione recycles Dehydroascorbic Acid back to Vitamin C.  ^[3]

 Glutathione can recycle Tocopheryl Quinone (oxidized Vitamin E) back to fresh Vitamin E.  ^[4]

  Glutathione detoxifies many toxic chemicals.

Patented Medicines

 Glutathione may inhibit the ability of Aspirin to damage the Gastric Mucosa and to cause Gastric Ulcers.  ^[5]

 Glutathione may reduce the toxic side effects associated with Cisplatin.  ^[6]

 Glutathione may inhibit the ability of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) to damage the Gastric Mucosa and to cause Gastric Ulcers.  ^[7] 

Proteins

 Glutathione is required for the conversion (reduction) of Methemoglobulin to Hemoglobin.  ^[8] 

Recreational Substances

 Glutathione may counteract the toxic effects of excessive consumption of Alcohol (ethanol). 

 Glutathione may counteract many of the toxic effects of Tobacco smoking. 

Minerals

 Glutathione may detoxify most Minerals - Toxic from the body, including: 

 Aluminum 

 Arsenic 

 Cadmium 
 Lead 
 Mercury  ^[9] 

Proteins

 Glutathione may inhibit the activation of Nuclear Factor-Kappa B (NF-Kappa B).  ^[10]

Amino Acids

 Cysteine is an essential precursor for the endogenous production of Glutathione:  ^[1]

 However, only a very small quantity of supplemental L-Cysteine is utilized in the endogenous manufacture of Glutathione (due to the rapid oxidation of L-Cysteine to Cystine).

 Alternatively, the majority of exogenous N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) is converted to Glutathione (the NAC form of Cysteine, unlike L-Cysteine, is not oxidized to Cystine).

 Of the several precursors for Glutathione, Cysteine is believed to be the most important as the other precursors (Glycine and Glutamic Acid) are generally not deficient.  This means that Cysteine is generally the rate-limiting factor in Glutathione production.

 Glutamine is integral to the production of Glutathione within the body (Glutamic Acid is extracted from Glutamine's chemical structure within the Liver for incorporation into the Glutathione molecule).  ^[12]

 Glycine is an essential component of Glutathione.

 Methionine facilitates the production of Glutathione (and may prevent the decline in Glutathione levels that is associated with the progression of the Aging Process).  ^[13]

 S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe) is essential for the endogenous production of Glutathione.  ^[14]

 Taurine may increase platelet Glutathione levels.  ^[15]