L-Glutathione Can Eliminate Toxins in the Liver

L-glutathione is the reduced form of glutathione, and is a tripeptide synthesized in the animal and plant tissues from glycine, cysteine and glutamate. Commonly known as GSH, it contains thiol groups that are maintained in a reduced state, and is a very powerful antioxidant, considered to be the key antioxidant and protective substance in the body.

Glutathione can reduce any disulfide groups in the cytoplasm within the body of the cell, and ensures that the cytoplasm is a strongly reducing medium protecting against oxidation. It has a synergistic effect with other antioxidants to protect the body against free radicals and oxidizing agents that cause so much damage to the body through what is commonly referred to as ‘oxidative stress’. However, there is more to it than that and it attaches itself to toxic chemicals and drugs in the liver and renders them into a state suitable for elimination from the body.

These toxic materials include poisonous pesticides, hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, heavy metals such as mercury, cadmium and chromium and many other substances that we come into contact with due to present day pollution of our atmosphere and foodstuffs. Glutathione can also help protect the body from the effects of chemotherapy and evidence is suggesting possible links with the control of some cancers, diabetes, atherosclerosis and many other degenerative conditions caused by free radical attack and the effects of pollutants.

The way that GSH acts in the cells is that the redox state of the glutathione-glutathione disulfide couple is critical to the health of the intercellular and intracellular fluid. GSH in the reduced state of glutathione reacts with an oxidative agent such as hydrogen peroxide to form the oxidized form, glutathione disulfide and water. It hence mops up oxidizers such as peroxides and free radicals within the cytoplasm of the body’s cells, and also in between the cells. The disulfide is then converted back to GSH by the combined action of the enzyme glutathione reductase and NADPH (the reducing agent nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate).

The cycle then repeats so that two molecules of glutathione continue to reduce damaging oxidizing agents without themselves being consumed. In so doing, the NADPH becomes oxidized. A continuous supply of NADPH is needed to allow GSH to undergo these biochemical reactions, and up to 10% of our blood glucose is used by the pentose phosphate pathway by which NADPH is synthesized.

Since this cycle consumes no glutathione, it would appear that a supplement is unnecessary. However, this is not the case since the molecule takes part in other reactions in the body, particularly in the elimination of toxic heavy metals from the body. Mercury is highly reactive with the thiol that GSH is, and so will bind to form a stable Hg-sulfydryl bond in the liver. This mercury-glutathione chelate is unable to bind to other proteins or gain access to the body cells, and is eventually harmlessly secreted. The same is true of many other heavy metals that are reactive with thiol’s.

In this way the body is protected from the harmful effects of these heavy metals. However, it results in the loss of the glutathione, and the pollution of modern day living can take a heavy toll of the GSH content of our bodies. For this reason a glutathione supplement is recommended, especially for city dwellers that may be exposed to more heavy metals than those residing in rural areas.

However, the form in which this supplement is taken is very important, because the human digestive tract contains a significant amount of gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase. That is an enzyme which apparently destroys glutathione before it can be absorbed. However, it can be absorbed directly into the bloodstream by dissolving the pill between the teeth and inner cheek. It has also been suggestion that the supplement could be administered by injection.

Others have suggested that rather than administer a supplement, individuals could take other supplements that contain the materials needed to stimulate the formation of GSH. Substances such as vitamin C, selenium (important in GSH biochemistry), methionine, alpha-lipoic acid and glutamine could all help to increase the body’s production of glutathione. A supplement of the constituent parts of cysteine, glycine and glutamic acid should also help. The dosage ranges recommended vary widely from 50mg to 500mg daily, and the effects of supplementation are not yet well know.

Some specific conditions that this wonder antioxidant is useful in treating include liver disease such as hepatitis, cirrhosis and so on. Patients suffering from these diseases show a massive reduction in their GSH content and prior GSH treatment appeared to offer a significant degree of protection in controlled clinical investigations. Patients suffering from chronic hepatitis C have been found to be associated with reduced GSH levels, particularly if also HIV positive.

Similar deficiencies have been noted in some lung conditions such as asthma and other pulmonary conditions. In such cases it has been demonstrated that administration of GSH supplements sufficient to restore normal levels of the substance improved the patients’ conditions by a significant amount. Its effect on atherosclerosis appears to be significant since a decreased level of GSH peroxidase has been recorded in such patients in addition to an increase in lipid peroxides, indicating that oxidation of the arterial wall had been occurring.

Anti-viral therapies that rely on GSH biochemistry for their action have been found to be less effective in those with low GSH levels, and other studies have confirmed that supplementing with GSH improves the response to interferon treatment. These results indicate the activity of oxidizing agents and free radicals in liver conditions, and in fact this has been demonstrated by tests carried out in New York and Philadelphia in the 1990s.

This suggests that the liver is prone to damage by oxidative stress, and that GSH levels may be able to be used as an indication of potential liver disease. What is evident is that a strong case can be made for glutathione supplementation as protection against potential liver, pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases, especially by those exposed to specific polluting agents such as primary or secondary tobacco smoke, auto and diesel fumes and chemicals and pesticides.

L-glutathione is useful, not only for the elimination of toxins in the liver, but also in protecting this large and vital organ from the oxidative stress that modern living brings. L-Glutathione and its precursors are sold over the counter at your local or internet health food store.

Tea, 10 Basic And Interesting Things To Know

Tea, a beverage that is consumed in almost every culture and is enjoyed by millions. Whether you brew it naturally hot or cold, many benefits can be obtained by drinking several cups a day. Almost everyone at some point has had a cup of tea.

Below are ten interesting facts about tea providing folks a helpful insight and fun read about the beverage enjoyed by many. Make your favorite cup and enjoy!

1) Tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world! It is only beaten by water. Out of all the sports drinks, sodas, and even coffee, tea still holds (and probably will always hold) second place!

2) All tea, white, green, oolong (aka. wu long or brown tea), and black tea come from the same plant. Camellia sinensis is the mother of tea and gives us the leaves that can become those four main types. It is the processing the leaves go through that determines their classification or "color".

3) Tea is grown in many countries, but it is India that produces most of the world's exported tea! China produces the second, mostly green and white teas, and Sri Lanka comes in third for total world production. Japan produces a lot of green tea as well, but only around two percent is exported since Japan is a huge green tea drinking nation.

4) Even though there are only four main types of tea, literally thousands of varieties can be made from each! Many factors such as culture, climate, growing conditions, processing, and even time of day of harvesting all make that possible.

5) Tea is not graded by taste or color, but by leaf size and texture. There are eight main grading categories, with "Finest Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe" (FTGFOP) as one of the highest to "Pekoe" (P) which is the lowest loose leaf grading. The common term "Orange Pekoe" is believed by many folks as being a variety of tea when in fact is just a grading of tea. The "orange" in orange pekoe has nothing to do with oranges or extracts from them either.

6) In America, over 90 percent of folks brew their tea by tea bag. The majority of the tea is black tea; green and white teas have only started to become popular, but continue to increase in sales every year.

7) There are many health benefits that can be obtained from drinking tea daily. Common benefits are help with certain tumor and cancer prevention, lowered cholesterol, and a healthier heart. But did you know that the properties in tea can also help your skin look younger by destroying free radicals which cause dark spots and wrinkles? Tea has shown to even fight cavities!

8) Black tea is the most common, most exported, and most consumed type of tea in the world, while white tea is the least. Black tea is also the most oxidized of all types, while white tea is the least.

9) Tea contains less caffeine than coffee. A cup of black tea has half the amount of caffeine compared to a cup of coffee, and green tea has less than half the amount of caffeine compared to a cup of black tea.

10) The most important yet basic of tea facts is that brewing tea loose leaf style over tea bags is the best way to obtain true tea flavor and benefits! There are also many more varieties of loose leaf tea which can provide folks a lifetime of drinking enjoyment.

Green Tea: An Antioxidant Power House

For centuries in China, Japan, Malaysia, and Indonesia, green tea has been a popular drink. In the past few years green tea has become popular in the United States and continues to grow around the world. Part of this ever growing popularity is because of the scientific data supporting the health benefits of green tea.

Many Americans ask the question, what makes green tea better than black tea; they both come from the same plant? Green tea leaves are harvested fresh and steamed. Black tea is harvested in the same way but the leaves are left to age and oxidize, this oxidation creates chemical compounds that are good for cholesterol among other health benefits, but does not exhibit the cancer fighting benefits of green tea.

Green tea unlike black tea is high in polyphenols, which have powerful cancer fighting antioxidant properties. These beneficial compounds will vary from season to season along with the climate the plant is located in so not all green tea supplements are the same. Also, harvesting processes will determine how much healing polyphenols are left in the herb at time of encapsulation. Many studies have come out on the benefits of green tea and a few on black teas, with all this research, scientists still believe green tea is better than black tea as an antioxidant and cancer prevention herb.

With all the research pointing to the positive benefits of green tea, more than 4 times the amount of black tea is consumed in the United States and around the world as apposed to green tea. With in the next few years green tea is expected to grow in popularity by leaps and bounds. Many gourmet coffee shops have added green tea to their menu, along with grocery stores. At gas stations, bottled green tea can be purchased as well in the United States.

Ninety percent of all the research done on green tea has been done on its ability to fight cancer. Green tea has a greater Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) then both vitamin C and vitamin E, this means green tea can fight free radical damage better than either vitamin. Green tea not only has a great ORAC value, it also helps improve the body’s natural antioxidant activity as well. Studies have shown that green tea inhibits the creation of nitrosamines and carcinogens that cause cancer in the body, as well as helps detoxify other cancer causing agents. Green tea has shown to be effective against breast, colon, lung, pancreas, stomach, and small intestine cancers.

Another recent study suggested that green tea can protect the skin from the damaging effects of the sun. Green tea, when ingested or rubbed on the skin externally in both tea or extract form, showed skin protection from the sun. Green tea is good for sensitive skin and can help sooth irritations offering relief to those individuals with sensitive skin. Many cosmetic companies are adding green tea as their main ingredient to help reduce fine lines. Green tea can safely be used with facial steaming and herbal baths to help sooth the skin.

Green tea does contain small amounts of caffeine, but the caffeine does not exhibit the same stimulating effects as other caffeinated beverages. To date, there have not been any significant side effects reported so daily consumption is safe for most individuals. Some individuals need to stay away from all caffeinated products; supplement manufactures now offer caffeine free green tea as well.

For centuries third world countries have been benefiting from the consumption of green tea, don’t you think its time we start to as well? Green tea in regular or decaf can be found at your local or internet health food store