Lupus and Systemic Lupus Erythematous (SL Bacterial Infections)

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Systemic Lupus Erythematous (SLE) is a multifactorial chronic disorder with unknown causes. A possible cause is the imbalance of oxidative stress throughout the body. The levels of plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and plasma glutathione (GSH) were used to determine the oxidative status. The levels of MDA were not significantly different between the severities of the disease. Plasma glutathione levels were reduced greatly within patients who had moderate and severe SLE. There was a significant correlation between plasma GSH and the severities of SLE.

 

 

 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed

Glutathione’s Role in Alzheimer’s

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Oxidative stress plays a key role in tissue damage within the brain. Brain tissue is more susceptible to free radical damage than other tissues throughout the body. GSH levels are low in the Hippocampus (short-term memory) and Cerebral Cortex (cognitive learning) of the brain. High levels of glutathione may help prevent the loss of ability to function and increase in infections.

 

 

 

http://www.americanhealthcarefoundation.org/Alzheimers-md/GSH.cfm

Alcoholism and Glutathione Depletion

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Alcoholism can cause damage to the lungs. The relationship between alcohol abuse and the lungs is indirect unlike the relationship between alcohol abuse and the liver. Lungs are dependent on glutathione for protection against oxidative damage. Chronic alcohol abuse causes glutathione levels to be depleted about 80-90% within the alveolar spaces. This dramatic decrease damages the production of the alveolar epithelial surfactant. The lungs start to become more susceptible to oxidative stress and further damage.

 
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2002-04/euhs-gdi041902.php

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=17220370

Age-related Decline in Immunity

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Studies have shown that levels of GSH in the blood decrease with age. GSH functions as an antioxidant along with vitamins C and E to reduce levels of toxins in the blood and tissues. As we age, the levels of GSH decrease along with our ability to fight the diseases associated with aging. The attack of the toxins is often called “oxidative stress” and the lower levels of GSH in the blood and tissue reduce our ability to compensate for exposure to the free radicals. This decline is also associated with age related macular degeneration and diabetes. The generalized oxidation associated with aging may contribute to the development of age-related toxicities and pathology.

GSH serves several physiological functions. It quenches free radicals through direct interaction, helps to degrade harmful peroxides, and acts as a coenzyme. The main relevance of GSH to the aging process is that it provides important defense against oxidative stress, namely the reduction of hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxides. GSH has the dual ability to quench free radical as well as donate electrons to essential cellular functions. It is regarded as the single most versatile antioxidant in cells with broad effects on antioxidant potential. It also maintains a buffer that is critical in most cellular processes including division and protein structure. An age-related loss of GSH can be predicted to have at least two dire consequences. One is the increase of levels of hydrogen peroxide and the second is the formation of molecules that interfere with enzymes in the body. This reduces the body’s ability to adapt under stress. Maintenance of optimal GSH levels in essential for limiting oxidative damage.

Wrinkles are a side effect of aging. Glutathione is a critical component for the body’s defense system. Glutathione provides protection for the cells against stress. Mild effects of stress stimulate glutathione levels, which increases the protection against more severe stress. Aging causes decreases of glutathione in the tissues throughout the body. As a result, cells become more susceptible to stress.

 

Pro-oxidant shift in glutathione redox state during aging: Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 2008: 60(13-14): 1545-1552. Published online Jul 4, 2006

Glutathione in Human Plasma: Decline in Association With Aging, Age-related Macular Degeneration, and Diabetes: Free Radical Biology and Medicine, Vol. 24, No. 5, pp. 699-704, 1998

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15936251

Arthritis and Glutathione

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In joints, bones are prevented from rubbing against each other by cartilage; a soft tissue that covers the bones and allows the joints to work smoothly and painlessly, cartilage is housed inside the synovial membrane. Synovial fluid, also housed in the synovial membrane, lubricates and nourishes the joint and cartilage.

When arthritis occurs, something has happened to the joint’s health and function. They type of arthritis is determined by what part of the joint is affected and how. Lack of synovial fluid, cartilage deterioration, autoimmunity, inflammation, or a combination of factors can be causes of arthritis.

A powerful part of the body’s natural antioxidant system is a tri-peptide compound composed of cysteine, glycine and glutathione. Glutathione neutralizes free radicals and is needed for many metabolic processes among other important things.

It is necessary four our bodies to have optimal glutathione levels in order to support the immune system. As human’s age, the glutathione levels diminish and the glutathione antioxidant system weakens. This results in a less efficient immune system the more the body ages. Due to age related oxidative stress the cells in joints become more prone to osteoarthritis (OA) and other associated diseases.

Studies show that GSH could be applied in the managing of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

 

 

 

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

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Rheumatoid Arthritis is an inflammatory disease that affects the lining of the joints, which produces joint inflammation. Glutathione may help control the disease and alleviate the symptoms. Rheumatoid Arthritis progresses with age; glutathione neutralizes free radicals that lessen the damage to the muscles and tissues of the joints. Glutathione’s anti-inflammatory properties can help control joint inflammation.

 

 

 

http://pure-healing.net/2012/11/12/five-benefits-of-glutathione-in-rheumatoid-arthritis/

Glutathione and Mercury Detoxification

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Mercury poisoning is a type of heavy metal poisoning caused by exposure to mercury or its chemical compounds. Mercury occurs in several forms, all of which can produce toxic effects in high enough doses. In our industrialized world exposure to mercury happens every day. Common sources of mercury poisoning include mercury based dental fillings, seafood, vaccinations, and pollution from coal-burning power plants among many others. Mercury poisoning targets the liver, kidneys, brain, heart, lungs, pituitary and thyroid glands. Mercury poisoning also increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and has recently been implicated in the rising number of autistic cases. Specific symptoms of mercury toxicity usually include slurred speech, impaired hearing and vision, a lack of coordination, and general feeling of being unwell.

Research shows that the first step in effective mercury detoxification is boosting your glutathione levels. Glutathione binding to heavy metals has been shown to be a significant factor in heavy metal mobilization and excretion, specifically when applied to mercury and other heavy metals. Glutathione supplementation has also been shown to have specific effects on mercury toxicity by altering antioxidant status in the body.

 

 

 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24604198

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24157516

http://www.glutathioneexperts.com/glutathione-heavy-metal-9.html

Glutathione and Male-Pattern Baldness

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Male-Pattern Baldness is a hereditary condition triggered by specific sex hormones (androgens) that cause a pattern of permanent hair loss. More common in men, thinning hair can begin as early as puberty. In male-pattern baldness androgens target hair follicles, converting them into stronger hormones. The result is hair growth slowing or stopping completely.

Research shows that the conversion of these hormones can be influenced by glutathione, suggesting that GSH plays a protective role and helps maintain the hair growth cycle.

 

 

 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8757755

Autoimmune Disorders and Glutathione

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Autoimmune disorders occur when the body’s immune system turns on itself and mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy body tissue.

Autoimmune disorders may result in:

– The destruction of healthy body tissue

– Abnormal organ growth

– Changes in organ function

 

A person may have more than one autoimmune disorder simultaneously. Also, it is not uncommon for an autoimmune disorder to affect one or more organ or tissue type.

 

Studies show that glutathione (GSH) levels have multiple affects on the immune system. It is known that glutathione is one of the most important parts of the body’s natural antioxidant defense system by protecting cells from damage caused by oxidative stress. Although the exact cause of autoimmune disorders is unknown, recent studies indicate that oxidative stress could be one of the sources of the disease by creating a loss of oxidant/antioxidant balance.

 

 

Autism and Glutathione

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Many complex brain development disorders are grouped under the general terms of autism and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These disorder’s symptoms are characterized along a spectrum. Diagnostic markers include difficulties with social interaction, motor coordination, attention, verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors. ASD is related to intellectual disabilities, difficulties with motor skill coordination, difficulty focusing attention and physical health issues like gastrointestinal and sleep disturbances.

The roots of autism appear to be in early brain development but most signs and symptoms begin to present between ages 2 and 3.

Recent research finds that some autistic children may not adequately metabolize glutathione. Their inability to get the full benefits of the glutathione results in reduced detoxification capacity creating chronic oxidative stress. When the brain is under increased oxidative stress, there are often functional consequences in oxidative protein, DNA damage, and chronic inflammatory response.

Studies of autistic children treated with a transdermal application of glutathione (directly through the skin) showed a significant increase of the participant’s glutathione levels and indicate that it can potentially improve the symptoms of autistic disorders.