Antioxidants play a big role in your overall health. These substances protect you from oxidative stress - slow cell damage caused by free radicals. Oxidative stress is linked to diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, premature aging, and cancer.
Glutathione is the body’s strongest antioxidant that has a wide range of vital functions. Experts believe that the levels of glutathione can serve as a predictor of lifespan. If you are deficient in this antioxidant you have an increased risk of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and heart disease, and many types of cancer. What are the benefits of glutathione? Below are eight ways this powerful antioxidant affects your health:
1. It helps your body create energy
The mitochondria create energy allowing the cell to function. They are vital for your body as they convert glucose, amino acids, and fats into energy. Glutathione can help protect mitochondria from the harmful effects of free radicals. With damaged mitochondria, your body can’t perform its functions properly leading to a rapid loss of energy.
2. It protects heart health
Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. In the United States, one person dies every 36 seconds from cardiovascular disease. Fortunately, glutathione can support your heart health by destroying free radicals and decreasing plaque accumulation in the blood vessels.
3. It protects liver health
The liver is an organ that plays the main role in body detoxification. It also regulates your immune system. Your liver uses glutathione to perform these tasks well. That’s why it has the highest concentrations of this antioxidant.
Getting more glutathione will ensure proper detoxification and reduce the stress on your liver. This will help you prevent hepatitis (chronic liver inflammation) that might eventually result in cirrhosis (a condition in which the liver can’t function properly because of prolonged damage). Improving liver health can help your body work well.
4. It boosts skin health
Today, the use of glutathione for skin health is extremely popular. Your skin is exposed to environmental toxins and free radicals every day. Glutathione can help here. This antioxidant possesses powerful anti-aging properties. Glutathione eliminates the harmful effects of free radicals and prevents oxidative stress.
Many manufacturers add glutathione in their beauty creams and even skin whitening formulas. Some clinics provide glutathione injections that can help you fight wrinkles, age spots, and improve your skin complexion.
5. It combats oxidative stress
In excess, free radicals can damage your DNA and mitochondria. Therefore, oxidative stress is linked to a variety of life-threatening health conditions like cancer, inflammation, brain damage, Alzheimer’s disease, kidney failure, and heart disease. Glutathione is necessary for the regeneration of other essential antioxidants, like vitamin C and vitamin E that help protect your body against free radicals.
6. It fights infections
Viral infections weaken your immune system making your body more susceptible to oxidative stress. Many chronic conditions and infections can lower your levels of glutathione. This makes your immune unable to combat infections. Increasing glutathione levels will help your body regain the power to kill bacteria.
7. It improves well-being in people with diabetes
If you suffer from type 2 diabetes and have uncontrolled blood sugar you probably have low glutathione levels. This makes you more prone to oxidative stress that can lead to many complications like brain and nerve damage, and heart problems. Glutathione is extremely important for people with diabetes. Ask your healthcare provider whether glutathione supplements are beneficial to you.
8. It protects kidney health
While mild oxidative stress can provoke mild kidney issues, severe oxidative stress can result in kidney failure. According to study of people with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis, glutathione can boost kidney function and reverse anemia.
