THE “MOTHER OF ALL ANTIOXIDANTS” – FROM ANTI-AGING TO HACKING HANGOVERS
In the last ten years or so, “antioxidant” has become a buzzword in the health community. It gets thrown around a lot. If you’ve looked into nutrition, you may know that berries are full of antioxidants, as are green veggies, coffee, grass-fed butter, fish, and many other foods.
It’s great that antioxidants have made it into the spotlight, because unlike some health trends (looking at you, tofu), antioxidants really are a key to improving your performance. They neutralize little bundles of destruction called free radicals, curbing cellular damage and inflammation. Free radicals are also a driving mechanism behind aging, so it’s no surprise that antioxidants decrease the risk of most major age-related diseases.
There are hundreds of antioxidants, each of which has unique benefits. This article is going to focus on the most powerful one in the human body: glutathione.
Antioxidants like vitamin C and lipoic acid certainly make the grade, but when it comes to neutralizing free radicals, they pale in comparison to glutathione – so much so that researchers have nicknamed glutathione “the master antioxidant.” Every single cell in your body produces glutathione, which is what makes it a crucial aspect of immunity and detoxification. Today’s polluted, high-stress world saps your glutathione stores. Boosting your levels back up can keep you fit, resilient, clear-headed, and even hangover-free. Here’s a complete guide to how glutathione works, what it does for you, and how to take it.
What is Glutathione?
Glutathione is a sulfur-containing molecule every cell in your body makes from the three amino acids L-glutamine, L-cysteine and L-glycine.
Among its duties, glutathione protects fats from oxidation, supports energy-producing mitochondria, boosts immunity, and makes sure your brain functions at its peak. Glutathione recharges other antioxidants like vitamin C, making them more effective at fighting inflammation.
Glutathione itself also protects against inflammation, toxins, free radicals, and pathogens. You can think of it as your body’s natural detox agent: This powerful antioxidant becomes a cofactor for dozens of detox enzymes that neutralize damaging free radicals.
Optimal glutathione levels also benefit your gut, cardiovascular system, vision, and fat burning ability.
Your body makes its own glutathione and uses it to combat inflammation, infections, stress, and toxins from your diet and environment. The modern world is toxic, especially if you’re breathing in city air and working a stressful job. Stressful daily life can quickly drain your glutathione stores. That’s when you can use a little help from a glutathione supplement.
