Glutathione - a seceret protection for your body
Glutathione and your health
Do you often feel tired and worn out? Is your immune system weak and you often get ill? Or do you just feel weak for no reason? Many people think these are normal side effects of winter, but they can actually have underlying health reasons.
Ever heard of glutathione? In this article, we explain what it is and how important it is for your health and performance.
What is glutathione?
Glutathione is a substance that is produced naturally in the body. It belongs to the group of antioxidants and is formed in the liver from the amino acids glutamine, glycine and cysteine. It is present in every single cell and plays an important role in optimal cell protection. Glutathione has four major tasks that contribute to your health:
- Cell protection and protection of your genetic material (DNA)
- Detoxification of your body. Glutathione binds to oxidative stresses, caused for example by smoking, and disposes of them via the kidneys
- Oxygen transport in the body
- Support of cysteine formation (antioxidants)
How do I get glutathione?
Your body can produce the amino acid glutathione in certain amounts in the liver itself. However, this requires a sufficient intake of cysteine, found for example in dairy or oat products. Cysteine is also very important for the formation of bone, cartilage and skin.
In order to support your body with glutathione in the best possible way and to prevent a glutathione deficiency, you should follow a healthy dietary plan with an optimal supply of all important macro- and micronutrients. It is especially important to eat enough fresh and unprocessed food, as these contain the most glutathione.
| The Top 5 of Glutathione Suppliers | Microgramms per 100 calories | Microgramms per 100 gramms | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asparagus | 140 | 28 | |
| Liver (beef) | 92 | 120 to 275 | |
| Spinach | 48 | 11 | |
| Avocado | 18 | 28 | |
| Broccoli | 24 | 8 |
How can I tell if I have a glutathione deficiency?
Tiredness and a general feeling of unwellness in particular are indications of a glutathione deficiency. If you are often ill or notice that you are getting weaker and weaker in your training, you should definitely have your glutathione level checked.
A glutathione deficiency can also be a sign of an immune disorder. A low glutathione level can lead to a severely weakened immune system, which makes the body an easy target for disease. Malnourished people are particularly often affected by a glutathione deficiency.
What are the causes of a low glutathione level?
Your body is dependent on the effects of glutathione in countless everyday situations. The amount of harmful radicals in our environment is increasing daily due to technology, ozone and radiation, and requires your body to permanently detoxify itself. In addition, each of us exposes our bodies to further harmful oxidation processes through processed foods, stress, smoking, medication, but also through heavy physical and mental strain. This mountain of detoxification work is mainly handled by glutathione.
Our tip
Without a healthy diet, you will not have enough glutathione to cope with the amount of harmful substances you are exposed to and will not be able to protect your body sufficiently. Unfortunately, industrially processed foods make hardly any contribution to glutathione biosynthesis. So do something good for yourself by eating healthily. Get started today!
