Glutathione is one of the most important antioxidants in the body. It acts as one of the major detoxifiers and is found in almost all living cells. As we age our glutathione levels decrease, which is thought to be one of the major contributions to aging. Glutathione exists in reduced and oxidized states. In healthy cells more than 90% of the total glutathione is in the reduced form, which is considered the functional form. The oxidized form has not been found to be metabolically active. Glutathione is synthesized from cysteine and selenium and is found in the highest concentrations in the liver, spleen, kidneys, pancreas and in the lens and cornea. The consequences of having low glutathione include a reduced ability to detoxify, a reduced ability to chelate and clear heavy metals, increased gut permeability leading to food intolerances and allergies, increased pro-inflammatory T cells, and reduced levels of other antioxidants such as vitamin C and Vitamin E. Studies have found a correlation between low glutathione and Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, decreased immune function, lung disease, Asthma, Cardiovascular Disease, Autism, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. There are ways to increase glutatione levels intracellularly. These include increasing Vitamin C and curcumin in the diet, as well as whey protein and N-acetylcysteine.

Some toxins requiring glutathione for detoxification:

halogenonitrobenzenes and congeners (fungicides)
2-chloro-S-triazines and congeners (herbicides)
aryl nitrocompounds (nitrates and nitrosamines)
Phenoltetrabromphthaleins (dyes)
Aryl and alkyl halides (solvents)
Aryl and alkyl ester (solvents and flavorings)
Alkene halides (plastics, vinyl chloride)
Allyl compounds (intermediates)
Organophosphorus compounds (insecticides)
steroids
quinones and catechols (meds)
trichloromethylsufenyls (pesticides)
heavy metals
bacterial toxins
pharmaceuticals
automobile exhaust and cigarette smoke

Recipe’s using whey:

Apple-Cinnamon Shake Smoothie

Whey protein powder
8 oz. of rice or almond milk
1 small red apple, chopped
¼ – ½ tsp cinnamon
1 Tbl flaxseed oil or ground flaxseed

Mix in blender

Peanut Butter Chocolate Truffle Smoothie

Chocolate flavored whey protein powder
1 Tbl creamy peanut butter
8 oz. rice or almond milk
4 oz. water
3 or 4 ice cubes
1 Tbl flaxseed oil or ground flaxseeds

Blend in blender.