Nature's Gift of Longevity with Health
by Michael King
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CC-April 27, 2010 - Glutathione Supportive Foods
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2 Minute Session Overview
The Session Overview below is provided as a courtesy to those who prefer to read than listen, yet on each call additional insights are given which round out the subject.
The Role of Glutathione in the Body
"We've already found dozens of ways to live an extra decade or two - in good health. The easiest and surest way: Increase your body's supply of glutathione, a natural compound that is a tripeptide (combination of three amino acids)." - Dr. David Williams.
Glutathione is the body's master antioxidant and detoxifier. Foods that boost glutathione levels can help the body rid itself of heavy metals, chemicals and other toxic substances.
Glutathione plays a fundamental role in numerous metabolic and biochemical reactions such as:
a. DNA synthesis and repair,
b. protein synthesis,
c. prostaglandin synthesis (controls vascular smooth muscle constriction or dialation and many other vital functions),
d. amino acid transport and enzyme activation.
e. maintaining other antioxidants like Vitamin C and E in their active forms,
f. modulating (regulating) proper immune response,
g. increasing lymphocyte presence (T cells, B cells and Natural Killer Cells) while improving their effectiveness,
h. regulating apoptosis.
Thus, every system in the body can be affected by the state of the glutathione system, especially the immune system, the nervous system, the gastrointestinal system and the lungs.
In animal experiments, increased glutathione consumption increased longevity by about 40%.
The more toxic the body is, however, the faster glutathione levels in the body are used up.
As an example, in experimental animals, glutathione was reduced 70 to 80% within four hours after administering acetaminophen (Tylenol). - Drug Chem Toxicol 81;4(1):37-48. A similar conclusion can be drawn regarding all other pharmaceutical, drug-based therapies.
Therefore, if you have ever taken the following, then you need to pay very close attention to consuming glutathione supportive foods on a daily basis:
a. prescription drugs, radiation-based diagnostic or therapy measures,
b. or immunization shots,
c. or antibiotics,
d. or over the counter drugs,
e. or still have silver-mercury amalgam fillings in your mouth,
f. or have been exposed to house or farm use herbicides, pesticides, chemical fertilizers, or cleaning fluids,
g. or have used non-organic cosmetics, shampoos, lotions, sunscreens, or toothpastes (the ones with poison control warnings on the label!),
h. or have been exposed to work related chemicals or radiation,
i. or have lived near nuclear power plants, munitions manufacturing plants, chemical manufacturing plants, or toxic waste disposal sites.
Glutathione Supportive Foods Help Detoxify the Body
A steady, daily intake of gutathione supportive foods is the best way to maintain high levels of glutathione in the body and chip away at the stockpile of toxins that have accumulated over the years (and continue to take in on a daily basis).
Food sources that increase glutathione do so by providing the precursors of glutathione, or enhance its production by some other means.
You cannot increase glutathione levels in the body with supplemental pill-forms of glutathione - so save your money. Eat your way to health instead!
The reason that the pill-form of glutathione doesn't work is because glutathione is manufactured inside the cell, or within the liver, from its three precursor amino acids, glycine, glutamic acid, and cysteine (which is toxic in the supplemental form). So food sources that provide these amino acids is the most efficient way to improve glutathione levels in the body.
Foods that are high in glutathione precursers and therefore help boost glutathione levels naturally are best when eaten raw or fermented (like in sauerkraut or whey) since they are heat sensitive.
Food sources of glutathione precursers include the following:
a. raw goat whey, cultured at home, (by simply leaving it out on the counter until the curds and whey separate) is one of the highest known source of glutathione precurser cysteine, and is readily absorbed. The dry powder of un-denatured whey protein is an acceptable option as long as it comes from antibiotic and hormone free, grass fed animals.
b. raw goats milk (should be hormone and antibiotic free) will also contain cysteine, although the whey is the form that is most easily assimilated,
c. milk thistle helps to prevent glutathione depletion in the liver. It is also a natural liver detoxifier and liver protectant.
d. okra,
e. rice bran, high in Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) promotes the synthesis of glutathione in the body.
f. several spices found in Indian curry including tumeric, cinnamon, cardamom and curcumin,
g. rosemary,
h. the sulfur containing vegetables (kale, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, onions, garlic, cauliflower, bok choy, watercress, mustard, horseradish, turnips, rutabagas, kohlrabi)
i. raw eggs,
j. Pink Sulfur Salt (Black Salt),
k. grape seed extract,
l. bilberry,
m. asparagus,
n. avocados,
o. ripe seeds of green beans,
p. red beets,
q. aloe vera
r. peaches, and watermelon
s. whey protein powder,
t. Pycnogenol from pine bark.
u. Brazil nuts - the highest natural source of selenium. Selenium is a co-factor for the enzyme glutathione peroxidase. (1-2 Brazil nuts per day - no more).
Glutathione supportive foods are Nature's way of giving us long lives with health and vitality!
Before calling us, please go to: OK, So Where Do I Start?
Enjoy the simple gifts from Nature!
