Tuesday, September 30, 2014

What exactly is Glutathione?

Glutathione or GSH in abbreviation is a water soluble substance. It is an important antioxidant in plants, animals, fungi, and some bacteria. It helps preventing damages cause by free radicals and peroxides. Glutathione is a molecule that is naturally produced by the body. It is a small protein consist of a group of 3 amino acids: Cysteine, glutamic acid, and glycine. 




Glutathione reduces covalent bonds by serving as an electron donor. During this process of converting, glutathione will be oxidized and called as L-Glutathione, as seen in some of the ads, which stands for glutathione disulfide (GSSG).

In common terms, L-Glutathione (GSSG) is pretty much the same as Glutathione. It is just a another name used for the substance while it is converting or converted. Glutathione exists in both reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) state. They regenerate each other because for every GSSG, two reduced GSH molecules are gained, which then they go on the scavenger hunt for free radicals in the cell. It is like a cycle, the higher level of Glutathione the more antioxidants you have in your body.



In short, an antioxidant like Vitamin C or B12 gives up their electron to a free radical cell and neutralizes that free radical cell, without becoming reactive itself. Glutathione is different! A reduced glutathione (GSH) will also give up an electron to a free radical cell and neutralizes them, but they also become reactive by binding itself with another oxidative glutathione cell.

I.e. When GSH gives away the H, it's only GS. Now, it will bind with another GS, so it can become GSSG - glutathione disulfide or L-Glutathione.








It is said to be the king substance of all antioxidants, because it provides multiple functions:

•  It is participate directly at neutralizing free radicals and other reactive oxygen - the toxins such as mercury and other heavy metal compounds that are negative for our health.

•  It maintains other antioxidants such as Vitamin C and E.

•  It keeps the regulation of nitric oxide cycle in balance, which is can be very critical for life.

•  It is used in metabolic and biochemical reactions such as DNA repairs, protein synthesis, amino acid transportation, and enzyme activation.

•  Therefore, every system in the body can be affected by the state of the glutathione, especially the immune system, the nervous system, the gastrointestinal system, and the lungs.

•  It plays a vital role in iron metabolism. 


I'm definitely not a chemical junkie. I have expained what Glutathione is and what its functions is (not talking about the benefits yet...) in layman terms. I hope this is enough specs of Glutathione for you to absorb. Look out for my next post in Glutathione Benefits!


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  2. Glutathione is rightly the king of all antioxidants and acts as a detoxifier for every cell in your body. It’s essentially a tripeptide composed of three amino acids: cysteine, glutamic acid, and glycine. It is one of the most important antioxidants your body produces to prevent cellular damage caused by free radicals and peroxides. Some of its vital and most critical functions are:

    Anti-aging defense
    Detoxification
    Antioxidant protection
    Skin-brightening
    Reducing hyperpigmentation
    Energy production
    No matter if you are a man or a woman of any age, you have been obsessed with your appearance and skin for ages, and it’s a matter of fact. Each of you tackles problems like acne, wrinkles, dryness, eczema, or puffy eyes and wants nothing but flawless skin.

    However, a lifetime of sun, pollution, stress and outdoor activities can take its toll on your skin that may eventually result in dry and wrinkled skin with age spots. Combine this with inadequate nutrition, lack of exercise, and midlife hormonal changes, and it’s no wonder that some of you find it hard to maintain youthful and flawless skin.

    Fortunately, you can restore your skin’s structure and health by dealing with the problem internally. Your skin can heal and regenerate new cells, thanks to glutathione! It not only decreases the melanin production (pigmentation causing tissue) in your body but has also been found to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and even increase the elasticity of your skin!

    Glutathione is a master antioxidant that is the secret to lasting health and longevity. Take care to maintain and even boost your glutathione levels every day by consuming glutathione-rich foods, supplementation, getting about 7-8 hours of sleep, avoiding processed foods, and drinking at least 2 liters of water a day. If you are not getting enough Glutathione from your diet then you might really want to consider supplementation and try Allure Plus our beauty-boosting supplement with Glutathione as its main active ingredient.

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