Glutathione deficiency is one of the most common characteristics of very ill patients. Patients suffering from diseases like chronic fatigue syndrome, Parkinson’s disease, autism, chronic infections, kidney problems, liver disease, and autoimmune disease all typically suffer from low levels of glutathione.
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The body’s ability to produce and maintain high levels of glutathione is critical to recovery, disease prevention, and maintaining optimal health.
Glutathione is a naturally produced molecule made of proteins and amino acids – cysteine, glycine and glutamine. The secret to its success is sulfur (SH). The sulfur within glutathione acts like glue, trapping free radicals and toxins as the flow through the body.
Once glutathione does its job of collecting free radicals and pollutants, it must be recycled. Specific genes are required to metabolism (burn) glutathione, and recycle it. These genes are often referred to as GSTM1 and GSTP1.
Unfortunately some people are born without these necessary genes, and overtime become very ill.
Glutathione plays an important role in the process of free radicals by recycling antioxidants. When free radicals enter the body, they are passed from vitamin C to vitamin E then to lipoic acid and finally to glutathione. Once this process is completed, the body can regenerate a new protective glutathione molecule, and repeat the process.
When we introduce too many toxins into our bodies, we overwhelm our systems and deplete our glutathione levels. Without the proper levels of glutathione our bodies are left unable to protect ourselves against free radicals, infections or cancer. We’re left unable to get rid of toxins in the body.
Glutathione is also critically important to the immune system. It helps the body fight infections and prevents cancer, which is why it can be used in the treatment of AIDS.
Your body needs to detoxify, and glutathione plays a key role in that as well. Toxins stick to the molecule, which then carries them into the bile and stool — and out of your body.
Research also shows that raised glutathione levels:
- Increase strength & endurance
- Shift the function of metabolism from fat production to muscle development
- Decrease muscle damage
- Reduce recovery time
Each patient must be assessed before creating a treatment schedule. Frequency and amount of treatments is dependent upon a series of health factors. Once a patient’s symptoms and health are analyzed, the physician or practitioner will provide a treatment plan.
A landmark study conducted by the Department of Neurology, University of Sassari, Italy in 1996 found that all patients improved significantly after glutathione therapy with a 42% decline in disability. Glutathione infusions have been used by physicians for the past 30 years or more.
Glutathione can be provided intravenously and by injection via the muscle. This method is often used to prevent the poisonous side effects of cancer treatments. Intravenous glutathione is used to prevent anemia in kidney patients undergoing treatment, preventing kidney problems, treating Parkinson’s disease, improving blood flow and decreasing clothing in individuals with hardening of the arteries. This method has also been used in the treatment of diabetes and preventing the toxic side effects of chemotherapy.
What to Expect
Once you have been approved for intravenous glutathione treatments you can seek treatment. You will be asked to lie down, and the practitioner will make sure you feel relaxed. They will sterilize the insertion area, and then insert the IV needle. They will then connect you to the drip. The treatment is relatively painless.
Risks & Side Effects
If you are pregnant or breast feeding you are not advised to receive glutathione treatments. There is a risk of infection at the IV insertion point. A long term side effect of glutathione treatment is low zinc levels.
Allen, J. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, September 2011.