glutathione chemical formula

How to Notice if You Have Glutathione Deficiency

Glutathione deficiency can have many signs, some of which are not obvious at first glance, so knowing the low glutathione symptoms can help you get the treatment you need to live your best life possible. First, you’ll learn what Glutathione is and why it’s so important to the human body. Then you’ll learn about all the different ways your body can show that it needs more Glutathione, so you can determine whether or not you have glutathione deficiency yourself.

Glutathione Deficiency

Glutathione deficiency can be quite serious, so it’s important to recognize the glutathione deficiency symptoms before it’s too late to address them. Glutathione deficiency is linked to various diseases and illnesses. Some diseases associated with low glutathione may include seizures, intellectual disability, loss of coordination, and more. It’s not always easy to tell if you have glutathione deficiency or not, but some very common symptoms of low glutathione can give you an idea if your body needs more. 1

Glutathione is the master antioxidant because it protects your body from oxidative stress caused by toxins and free radicals, so it’s important to keep up with your intake of foods high in glutathione or glutathione precursors.2 The word glutathione deficiency (or insufficiency) may sound like some new-age thing. Still, in reality, it’s something that’s affecting millions of people every day and might even be affecting you.

Common Low Glutathione Symptoms

It’s important to watch for signs of glutathione deficiency because, when left untreated, reduced glutathione levels can cause serious long-term problems in your health. Here are a few indicators that you might be suffering from a glutathione deficiency:

NAD for fatigue
  • Frequent infections like colds or flu
  • Difficulty managing weight

If you suspect that you might be suffering from glutathione deficiency, then there are a few ways for you to test whether or not your body needs more Glutathione.

Doctors usually assess antioxidant status by measuring Glutathione concentration per gram of hemoglobin in red blood cells. Although it isn’t easy to find reliable information about optimal levels as ideal test results vary depending on age, gender, etc.

Monitoring Glutathione

Our body naturally makes Glutathione from three amino acids: cysteine, glycine, and glutamate. When making enzymes or proteins, cells use up most of your available cysteine supplies. The remaining glutamate and glycine combine with B vitamins and selenium to produce Glutathione.

Our diet plays a significant factor in these levels. In more severe cases, glutathione deficiency treatments will focus on administering Glutathione directly into the bloodstream through an IV infusion. In extreme cases such as chronic glutathione depletion or where someone has been exposed to large amounts of toxins over a long time – such as those who work with pesticides – injections will become a daily treatment until their levels normalize again. In any case, dietary intakes from fruits and vegetables must be adequate for normal enzymatic reactions associated with the synthesis and metabolism of Glutathione. Inadequate intake or digestion can result in a reduced body pool or lack of protection from oxidative stressors, which might increase the risk for chronic disease over time.

herbs and pills in cups and bowls

Types of Glutathione Supplements

If your body is deficient in Glutathione, it can be difficult to determine. Symptoms of Glutathione deficiency are subtle and often mistaken for other conditions. Any signs or concerns must be addressed, so they don’t become more significant problems down the road.

One way to treat it is by taking glutathione supplements under your doctor’s supervision. There is also some evidence that eating foods rich in Glutathione such as:

  • Grapefruit
  • Broccoli
  • Papaya
  • Pineapples
  • Cauliflower
  • Corn
  • Cabbage
  • Green peppers

These can help give your body what it needs to maintain proper levels of GSH. Another way to boost production is with a sulfur supplement such as whey protein or N-acetylcysteine.

Companies like Drip Hydration offer at-home IV therapy treatments. Their NAD+ Boost is full of super vitamins that create a unique blend to supercharge effectiveness.

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Glutathione - Frequently Asked Questions

What is glutathione?

Glycine, cysteine, and glutamic acid are the building blocks for the compound glutathione. It is created by the liver and is used by several bodily functions. Glutathione helps with the production of chemicals and proteins required by the body, as well as immune system activity.

What are the benefits of taking glutathione?

Taking glutathione has many benefits including:

  • Reducing oxidative stress
  • Reducing cell damage in alcoholic and nonalcoholic liver disease
  • Improves insulin resistance in older people
  • Increase mobility for people with peripheral artery disease
  • Reduces symptoms of Parkinson’s disease
  • Might help fight autoimmune diseases
  • Might reduce oxidative damage in children with autism
  • Might reduce the impact of uncontrolled diabetes
  • Might reduce respiratory disease symptoms
  • Might improve psoriasis

Glutathione IV Therapy vs supplements

Glutathione supplementation has been related to digestive problems, such as bloating or stomach cramps. Intravenous glutathione provides the antioxidant directly to your cells by totally avoiding the digestive system.

Does glutathione help reduce oxidative stress?

According to one research, glutathione either increases or decreases the body's immune response, which helps alleviate oxidative stress. Diseases with an autoimmune component damage particular cells' mitochondria. By scavenging free radicals, glutathione protects the mitochondria of the cell.

References

[1] Ballatori N, Krance SM, Notenboom S, Shi S, Tieu K, Hammond CL. Glutathione dysregulation and the etiology and progression of human diseases. Biol Chem. 2009 Mar;390(3):191-214. doi: 10.1515/BC.2009.033. PMID: 19166318; PMCID: PMC2756154.;

[2] Pizzino G, Irrera N, Cucinotta M. et al. - Oxidative Stress: Harms and Benefits for Human Health. Oxid Med Cell Longev.;