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Posts Tagged ‘Natural Antioxidant’

Depression and Glutathione

August 11th, 2009

Many of us suffer from bouts of depression from time to time, and depression has a detrimental effect on memory. I found a study on depression and glutathione discussed at GlutathioneDiseasaeCure.com and referenced at PubMed.gov.

The Glutathione Treatments for Depression

The glutathione treatments for depression provides a simple easy way to eliminate for some, what is a debilitating condition.

Many have discovered what seems to be an effective depression treatment … This treatment for depression is actually backed up with science. It is simply boosting glutathione with supplemental cysteine intake.

First consider what a study from Biological Psychiatry has to say.

Cysteine for Depressive Symptoms is an published study in Biological Psychiatry, November, 2008 1;64(9):e1.

The full title: N-acetyl cysteine for depressive symptoms in bipolar disorder–a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial. The study noted that both depression and bipolar disorder are complicated by glutathione depletion. They started with the premise that N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), a precursor of glutathione, could improve the depressive felt in bipolar disorder.

The study was randomized, double blind multi-center placebo study of people with bipolar disorder. They were treated with NAC given adjunctive to their usual treatment.

They were measured on a depression rating scale, a time to a mood episode, Bipolar Depression Rating Scale and 11 other ratings of clinical status including quality of life, and functioning.

The study found that NAC treatment resulted in significant improvement. In all but one of the measurements it worked in a frame of 2 to 20 weeks. The depression treatments were found results considered good to great in over 3/4 of the measurements.

You will read in the abstract that the conclusion was that NAC appears to be a safe and effective augmentation strategy for depressive symptoms in bipolar disorder.

However there was a flaw in the study. Well, a flaw of sorts.

The method of administration of NAC and the effectiveness of the NAC was limited to the quality of what would be typically purchased over the counter at a health food store.

There currently are patented formulations of NAC and Cysteine that have been clinically proven to boost glutathione far above the levels that can be obtained from just the generic variety of NAC.

In effect, the NAC is augmented to be more effective. To be sure, most people give it at least a month to two months to see if it is effective for them. Although many will find it works in three days to a week, numerous anecdotal experiences have found that it can take up to two months to realize the full effectiveness.

The effectiveness of these alternative treatments for depression come from a novel approach. Help the body to get into a state of health and the mental health will follow on its own.

Bottom line, be patient. What do you have to lose, well, besides your depression.

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You can raise the glutathone level in every one of your cells by ingesting MaxGXL.

Susan Juricek Uncategorized , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Alcoholism and Low Glutathione

August 5th, 2009

Effects of Chronic Hepatic Dysfunction on Pulmonary Glutathione Homeostasis

Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research. 26(12):1840-1845, December 2002.
Foreman, Marilyn G.; Hoor, Terri Ten; Brown, Lou Ann S.; Moss, Marc

Abstract:
Background: The development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in patients with pre-existing cirrhosis of the liver is associated with very high mortality. One possible cause may be alteration of pulmonary antioxidant capacity as a result of chronic hepatic dysfunction. Glutathione (GSH) is the most substantial nonprotein thiol in living organisms and likely plays a key role in neutralizing the oxidants and reactive oxygen species that are increased in ARDS. The lung is unable to synthesize GSH and is dependent on the liver. During periods of oxidant stress, individuals may exhibit relative deficiencies of GSH. With cirrhosis, the end result of chronic alcohol ingestion, this deficiency is more profound.

Methods: Sixteen stable subjects with cirrhosis primarily due to alcohol consumption and 15 healthy controls underwent bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage with concurrent measurement of GSH in the plasma and the alveolar epithelial lining fluid (ELF).

Results: For standardizing for saline dilution of the epithelial lining fluid as a result of bronchoalveolar lavage, GSH values are expressed in relation to immunoglobulin A (IgA). GSH in the ELF was profoundly reduced in the cirrhotic group [12.5 [mu]g of GSH per [mu]g of IgA (5.3-16.9 [mu]g)] compared with the control group [64.0 [mu]g of GSH per [mu]g of IgA (55.1-242.5 [mu]g);p < 0.001]. The ratio of oxidized GSH to total GSH in the ELF was also significantly increased in the cirrhotic group [9.2% (5.1-16.4%) vs. 3.4% (1.7-5.7%);p < 0.003]

Conclusions: Despite a total reduction in GSH concentrations in the alveolar epithelial lining fluid of individuals with cirrhosis, the amount of oxidized GSH is increased. There is increased utilization of GSH despite the low supply in stable individuals with cirrhosis during steady state. These perturbations in GSH homeostasis in the alveolar epithelial lining fluid may be a factor in the poor outcomes seen in these individuals with ARDS.

2002 Research Society on Alcoholism

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What does this mean for those of us who are alcoholic or have alcoholic loved ones? Chronic alcoholism results in low levels of glutathione and in cirrhosis of the liver. Cirrhosis further depletes glutathione levels. Even though levels are down, there continues to be an increase in the amount of glutathione that the body uses (logically, this will further deplete supplies of the body’s primary antioxident). Disruptions in glutathione equilibrium in the alveolar epithelial lining fluid may be a factor in the poor outcomes seen in these individuals with ARDS.

Learn more about glutathione.

Susan Juricek Uncategorized , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

PARKINSON’S DISEASE AND LOW GLUTATHIONE

August 3rd, 2009

If you or someone you love have Parkinson’s Disease, you may want to do some research about the results people are experiencing by raising their glutathione levels (these levels can be as low as 2% of normal in PD patients). Some PD sufferers have found that symptoms greatly diminish…others that some symptoms virtually disappear.  The reduction in symptoms is a direct result of adding  glutathione to brain cells.

If you have Parkinson’s, free radical damage to your cells is already very advanced. One contributing factor is extremely low levels of glutathione, your body’s master anti-oxidant and most important free radical fighter. More studies come out every month that positively validate the connection between Parkinson’s, free radical damage, and low glutathione levels.

What Is Glutathione (see July 21 post Glutathione - the Natural Antioxidant for deeper understanding)? Glutathione is produced in every single one of your cells. It is your body’s master anti-oxidant. This means four big things:

Glutathione neutralizes free radicals.

Glutathione repairs cell damage already done by free radicals.

Glutathione can detoxify and flush toxins out of the body.

Glutathione recharges all other anti-oxidants.

Recent research analyzing the brain tissue of people with Parkinson’s has found that the damage is consistent with extensive oxidative stress. Oxidative stress IS free radical damage. Basically, the brain tissue of people living with Parkinson’s, and other neurodegenerative diseases, is ‘rusting.’ Fighting free radicals means fighting the rust. Glutathione is the master rust fighter.

Intravenous glutathione injections have been shown to have amazing and quick results in Parkinson’s. Dr. David Perlmutter, a pioneer in this therapy, developed a protocol utilized at the Perlmutter Health Center for administering intravenous glutathione to Parkinson’s patients. After even a single dose of IV glutathione - often in as little as 15 minutes - the ability to walk, turn around and move their arms is almost completely restored.

Keep in mind that adding glutathione will not cure Parkinson’s disease; but it just may substantially improve quality of life for those suffering from the condition.

So, where and how can you raise glutathione at the cellular level? The days of raising it by IV just may be gone. There is now a safe, easy method of elevating the glutathione levels in every cell of the body. The answer is MaxGXL , the only glutathione accelerator with scientifically proven effectiveness in double blind studies.

Susan Juricek Uncategorized , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Glutathione - the Natural Antioxidant

July 21st, 2009

I maintain that careful, intelligent use of natural supplements can improve memory and help our aging brains adapt to today’s information overload. BUT, what supplements should we take…which are most beneficial with the least amount of possible side effects? Without a doubt, our first move should be toward supplementing antioxidants.

Antioxidants are truly nature’s little miracles. Their benefits are enormous and endless…they are true superstars in our bodies and our cells. They are on guard 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, protecting us from the free radicals that are produced by cellular action which occurs after we breathe in oxygen.

Each time we breathe in oxygen and our cells produce energy through normal everyday living processes, molecules inside of our cells react with the oxygen we inhale. This is called oxidative stress. Just like oxygen reacts with metal on a car and produces rust, “rust” (oxidation) happens in every single one our cells. In other words, every moment of every day, our cells are “rusting”…this rusting is known as “aging”. We experience oxidative stress in our cells, which leads to damaged tissues and damaged body organs…which will eventually lead to the many diseases of aging (Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, dementia, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, etc.).

So we agree that we need to be taking an antioxidant supplement — but which one is best to take? I personally am big on ‘natural’ supplements, and every cell in our bodies have a natural antioxidant called glutathione.

Glutathione is produced by every cell in the body. It is so critical to cellular function that thousands and thousands of medical articles have been written about it. It is the body’s most powerful antioxidant…millions of times more effective than Vitamin C and E. Intracellular glutathione fights inflammation and preserves cellular health. It also works to help improve mental functions, increase energy, improve concentration, support increased exercise, and improve heart and lung function.

Glutathione has been shown to slow down the aging process, detoxify and improve liver function, strengthen the immune system, and reduce the chances of developing cancer. Glutathione also works to help improve mental functions, increase energy, improve concentration, permit increased exercise, and improve heart and lung function - just to name a few. IV glutathione is being examined as a possible treatment for autism (autism is often associated with low glutathione levels in the cells of the body).

The body’s supply of glutathione begins to decline 10% to 15% per decade starting at the age of twenty. Stress, exercise, infection, injury, and environmental toxins are a few things that significantly reduce glutathione. Low glutathione levels result in lower energy, higher cellular inflammation, greater vulnerability to cellular damge, accelerated aging, and less effective immune function.

Energy, healthy organs and skin (after all, your skin is an organ), and the ability to fight the damage caused by free radicals all require healthy cells. While adding antioxidants to your diet can be beneficial to supporting good health, it is glutathione…the natural antioxidant produced by your body… that is most important for protecting healthy cells.

Susan Juricek Uncategorized , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,