A Superior Alternative To NAC (aka) N-Acetylcysteine And Glutathione Supplementation

Glutathione is a tripeptide consisting of three amino acids, cysteine, glycine, and glutamic acid and is supposed to be found in high concentrations in most cells of the body. In a healthy state the concentration of glutathione is equal to concentration of glucose, potassium, and cholesterol! Considering the body devotes a high level of metabolic activity required to produce glutathione, this indicates its importance in the body.

Glutathione exists in cells in 2 states: reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG).

Glutathione is produced exclusively in the cytoplasm of the cell and actively pumped into mitochondria. GSH is made available in cells in 3 ways:
 

1. New synthesis via a 2-step process catalyzed by the enzymes glutamate cysteine ligase (GCL) and glutathione synthetase (requires ATP).

2. Regeneration of oxidized GSSG to reduced GSH by glutathione reductase (requires NADPH).

3. Recycling of cysteine from conjugated glutathione via GGTP (requires NADPH).

Notice that all 3 require energy. The rate of synthesis, regeneration, and recycling is determined primarily by 3 factors:

1. New glutathione synthesis is primarily controlled by the cellular level of the amino acid cysteine, the availability of which is the rate-limiting step.
2. GCL activity is in part regulated by GSH feedback inhibition.
3. If GSH is depleted due to oxidative stress, inflammation, or exposure to xenobiotics, new synthesis of GSH is upregulated primarily by increasing availability of cysteine through recycling of GSSG.

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Based upon the above diagram, in addition to the 3 amino acids, the body needs tri-methyl-glycine, B12, Folate, Serine, and Selenium to make glutathione.

There are several nutrients that help to increase or spare glutathione, Vitamin C[2], Vitamin E, Selenium[3] and Alpha Lipoic Acid.[4]

Since so many people have non-alcoholic fatty liver or fibrotic liver disease, I point out this study conclusion: Glutathione peroxidase 4 and vitamin E cooperatively prevent liver degeneration.[5]

Alpha Lipoic Acid stimulates the enzyme glutamate cysteine ligase, which is the enzyme that is the first step in glutathione synthesis.

Eight Functions of Glutathione:

1. Neutralization of singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radicals, superoxide, and other free radicals
2. Cofactor for several antioxidant enzymes
3. Regeneration of vitamins C and E
4. Detoxification of persistent organic pollutants
5. One of approximately 7 chemicals, for phase two liver reactions, which neutralize toxins for excretion by the kidneys
6. Detoxifies mercury out of the brain and body
7. Regulation of cellular proliferation and apoptosis (programmed cell death)
8. Vital to mitochondrial function and maintenance of mitochondrial DNA

Clearly, adequate availability of glutathione is critical for maintaining health, protecting the body from toxins, and promoting longevity!

Why taking glutathione is ineffective

The body is not designed to absorb glutathione whole. Taking glutathione will result is it being digested back into amino acids. Taking liposomal glutathione will survive the digestive process and raise blood levels of glutathione. However, to improve the health of your cells and entire body, you want to raise the levels of glutathione within the cell. This is called INTRACELLULAR GLUTATHIONE.

I’ve taken s-acetyl-glutathione and liposomal glutathione and feel nothing from either of them. However, when I consume Green Meadow Whey, or Continual-G I feel the effects for several hours at a time.

Gamma glutamyl cysteine is the direct precursor to making glutathione. It is the already assembled first step, dipeptide in making glutathione. It is naturally occurring in egg whites and natures richest source is whey protein concentrate.

Not just any whey protein concentrate. To ensure you get your money’s worth, you want to consume only cold sterilized whey protein concentrate as is found in Green Meadow Whey. Cold sterilization is the means the amino acids and proteins retain the shape that nature gave them. It means that the protein and amino acids virtually 100% assimilable.

Your other option is to take gamma-glutamyl-cysteine, in powdered supplement form, which is now available in the supplement called Continual-G. This pleasant tasting lemon lime powder will support your glutathione production so strongly that when I first took it, I was bounding with good energy and a better mood. I had to bounce on my trampoline to expend some of the energy.