RAISING GSH - DELIVERY SYSTEMS
Oral Glutathione
GSH is present to the greatest extent in fruits, vegetables and meats. It is also is commercially available in pill form or powder from different chemical companies. Although small amounts of reduced protein-bound GSH may actually make it into the plasma (blood stream) it cannot be passed through most cell walls, thereby ultimately having no effect in raising intracellular GSH. Researchers have demonstrated oral GSH's poor bioavailability, especially in the liver where GSH is most needed. Oral glutathione has no measurable effect on immunologic parameters.
Intravenous Glutathione
GSH is effectively delivered though IV (intravenous means) and has had reasonable success in research studies involving humans. In its intact form, glutathione has a short half-life intravenously and is rapidly delivered to tissues. Some may be sequestered in the liver for subsequent future utilization, but unlike glutathione precursors, cannot be stored in intermediary forms for later conversion into glutathione when demands are made. Intact glutathione also down-regulates cellular glutathione manufacture by acting through negative-feedback inhibition on gamma-glutamyl-cysteine synthetase.
Inhaled Glutathione
Inhaled glutathione is an effective delivery system to the pulmonary tree where it can be absorbed to the tissues in direct contact with the nebulized agent. Systemic glutathione levels are minimally effected through this application.
Cysteine
Cysteine, a non-essential amino acid, may raise intracellular GSH. However, supplementation with cysteine or l-cysteine may lead to hypercysteinemia and potential toxicity. Cysteine is also easily oxidized in the digestive tract which limits its absorption into the plasma and cells.
NAC (n-acetyl cysteine) and other drugs
NAC and other drugs have been utilized for years by medical practitioners to effectively raise intracellular GSH. These drugs usually have two problems. They carry a certain toxicity themselves, and they provide a rapid 'peak' of GSH which is measured only in hours, with eventual drop of GSH, occasionally even below baseline levels. For sustained effect they must be ingested several times per day. In addition many people will not take NAC due to its foul taste and smell.
Whey proteins
Whey, a large group of different proteins derived from milk has been shown to occasionally contain potent GSH precursors (building blocks). These protein building blocks are easily digested, passed into the bloodstream, taken to our individual cells, transported across the cell wall, and metabolized into glutathione. These precursors are extremely sensitive and are easily denatured (damaged) severely diminishing their usefulness (bioactivity). Both mechanical stresses and heat (thermolability) break down critical bonds which hold these fragile proteins together. Whey proteins vary greatly in the type and amount of their protein make-up as well as the degree of denaturization, hence the level of bioavailability and bioactivity.
IMMUNOCAL®
Immunocal is a patented, highly concentrated, whey protein isolate prepared using a proprietary process leading to a non-denatured 90% pure protein, preserving the original bioactivity of the thermolabile components. In other words, this guarantees the highest level of GSH-promoting activity available. It is the only concentrate patented for its immuno-sustaining and glutathione enhancing effects. It is the culmination of over 25 years of research at McGill University. Although marketed in Europe and the Orient by pharmaceutical firms, this all-natural product can be purchased without prescription in North America.
Published medical references available on request Jimmy Gutman, M.D., FACEP, McGill University
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