GLUTATHIONE
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What is Glutathione?
Glutathione (abbreviated as GSH) is a small – molecule peptide composed of three amino acids [1,2]. GSH is an essential antioxidant in the human body. It plays a crucial role in protecting human cells from the damage of free radicals and pro – oxidative factors [1,2]. Moreover, it is a key factor in regulating physiological functions, maintaining nutritional metabolism, and ensuring the overall homeostasis of the body.
In the human body, both oxidized (GSSG) and reduced (GSH) forms of glutathione are stored. However, factors such as aging and unhealthy lifestyle habits can cause a progressive decline in the level of glutathione in the body. This decline can have a negative impact on the body’s health status [1,2]. Therefore, consuming foods rich in glutathione or taking supplements can help maintain an optimal level of glutathione, which is beneficial for maintaining youthfulness and good health.
Three major functions of glutathione:
- Glutathione, in conjunction with vitamin C and vitamin E, exerts antioxidant effects. These three antioxidant factors work together to protect the skin barrier. They inhibit the production of melanin and promote the synthesis of elastin. As a result, they are helpful in improving skin aging issues, reducing wrinkles, enhancing skin elasticity, and contributing to skin rejuvenation [3].
- Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant, it effectively protects liver cells. It can eliminate the damage to liver cells caused by oxidative stress, thus facilitating the metabolic and detoxification functions of the liver [4]. Additionally, glutathione can accelerate the decomposition of acetaldehyde in the body. This property helps alleviate the symptoms of hangover after drinking, reduces the accumulation of toxins, and safeguards liver health [4].
- Oxidative stress is a process that becomes more pronounced in the brain with increasing age. An imbalance in oxidative stress can cause damage to the brain and lead to the degradation of brain functions [5,6]. Glutathione, as a highly effective antioxidant, can help scavenge free radicals and reduce oxidative stress, thereby delaying the onset of cognitive impairment [5,6].
Benefits of Glutathione:
- Antioxidant Effect
- Detoxification Function
- Skin Brightening
- Immune System Regulation
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**This article is for reference purposes only. It is not intended to provide professional treatment or medical care or prevent any disease. Please consult with healthcare professionals regarding any concerns.
Reference:
- Diana A. Averill-Bates, Chapter Five – The antioxidant glutathione, Editor(s): Gerald Litwack, Vitamins and Hormones, Academic Press, Volume 121, 2023, Pages 109-141, ISSN 0083-6729, ISBN 9780443157684, https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.vh.2022.09.002.
- Guoyao Wu, Joanne R. Lupton, Nancy D. Turner, Yun-Zhong Fang, Sheng Yang, Glutathione Metabolism and Its Implications for Health, The Journal of Nutrition, Volume 134, Issue 3, 2004, Pages 489-492, ISSN 0022-3166, https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/134.3.489.
- Pullar, J. M., Carr, A. C., & Vissers, M. C. M. (2017). The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health. Nutrients, 9(8), 866. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9080866
- Chen, Y., Han, M., Matsumoto, A., Wang, Y., Thompson, D. C., & Vasiliou, V. (2018). Glutathione and Transsulfuration in Alcohol-Associated Tissue Injury and Carcinogenesis. Advances in experimental medicine and biology, 1032, 37–53. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-98788-0_3
- Huang, W. J., Zhang, X., & Chen, W. W. (2016). Role of oxidative stress in Alzheimer’s disease. Biomedical reports, 4(5), 519–522. https://doi.org/10.3892/br.2016.630
- Aoyama K. (2021). Glutathione in the Brain. International journal of molecular sciences, 22(9), 5010. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22095010