Glutathione

[Guest guest]

Hi Joanne,

I'm glad you are eating some carbs again. Your brain needs carbs. High

protein diets are extremely hard on the body, as they create alot of

uric acid build up. Excess Uric acid creates little crystals in the

tissues that can cause pain. Gout.

For those who are ill with autoimmune type diseases, a diet high in

plant foods and omega 3 fatty acids is best.

Glutathione is vital for detoxing! A deficiency of glutathione can

cause hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells, leading to anemia) and

oxidative stress. You cannot take glutathione supplements (as the

stomach acids destroy it), but you can take the precursors of

glutathione, such as N acetyl cysteine.

Here's some info on it:

http://www.formyhealth.com/nac_article.htm

N-ACETYL-CYSTEINE

What it is:

N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) is an acetylated form of the amino acid

cysteine. NAC is a powerful antioxidant and a premier antitoxin and

immune support substance, and as such is considered an important life

extension supplement by some. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals,

which are produced by normal metabolic activity. When free radicals are

left unchecked they cause damage to cells and DNA and are considered by

scientists to be a major factor in the cancer and aging processes.

How it Works:

GLUTATHIONE is a tri-peptide composed of three amino acids: Cysteine,

Glutamic Acid and Glycine. Glutathione and the enzymes it forms, such as

Glutathione peroxidase, are essential to all life and are found in

tissues of virtually all plants and animals. Glutathione peroxidase is

one of the body's most important naturally occurring antioxidants.

Glutathione is present in all human cells, with the highest levels found

in the liver, lung, lens of the eye, pancreas, spleen and kidneys.

Glutathione:

Glutathione acts as a powerful antioxidant. It is a key protector

against all types of pollution. Glutathione protects against cellular

peroxidation caused by exposure to pesticides, toxic herbicides like

paraquat, plastics, benzene and carbon tetrachloride. It also protects

against the toxic effects of heavy metals, cigarette smoke, smog, drugs

like Tylenol (acetominophen), solvents, dyes, phenols and nitrates, and

the side-effects of anti-cancer drugs like cyclophosphamide and

adriamycin.

Glutathione works to inhibit the formation of free radicals, dangerous

agents that suppress the immune system and promote the formation of

mutagens and carcinogens. Free radicals also speed up the aging process,

and it is due to this antioxidant activity that Glutathione is

considered useful in the prevention and treatment of a wide range of

degenerative diseases. Supplemental N-Acetyl Cysteine may exert its

anti-aging effect by increasing glutathione levels.

Studies at the Louisville School of Medicine have shown that Glutathione

possesses a unique ability to slow the aging process. While Glutathione

aids in the protection of all cells and membranes, a study at Harvard

Medical School found that glutathione is especially able to enhance

immune system cells, protecting against damage from radiation and

helping to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy, x-rays, and alcohol.

As a detoxifier of metals and drugs, glutathione also aids in the

treatment of blood and liver disorders.

The key to NAC's protection may be the sulfur and sulfhydryl groups

contained in N-Acetyl Cysteine and its derivative, Glutathione. Both

Cysteine and Methionine are good precursors of glutathione, but N-Acetyl

Cysteine is better. L-Cysteine loses approximately 85% of its sulfur

group (which becomes the active part of glutathione) in the digestion

process, while N-Acetyl Cysteine, a more stable compound, loses only

15%. This means that NAC has almost six times more effective sulfur

groups left after digestion.

Chelation:

Toxic metals can accumulate in the body over time from many sources such

as drinking water, foods, and possibly even from tooth fillings made of

silver-mercury amalgam. NAC may function as a chelator of heavy metals.

In other words, NAC binds to toxic heavy metals such as mercury and

lead, and helps to remove them from the body. Most chelating agents,

such as EDTA, must be given intravenously. NAC is one of the most

effective oral chelating agents. Taken regularly over a period of time,

NAC will help remove many toxic heavy metals from the body. This is of

course a slow process.

Exercise and Weight Training:

NAC is one of the most underrated supplements on the sports nutrition

market. Numerous studies lend credibility to its potent bodybuilding

potential. Exercise and weight training have been shown to generate

large amounts of catabolic free radicals. These free radicals may damage

muscle tissue. NAC supplementation increases blood serum glutathione

levels and it is believed that this is responsible for many of the

positive influences NAC has on preserving and increasing lean body mass.

Liver:

NAC can help to prevent damage to the liver caused from overuse of

acetaminophen (Tylenol). NAC is the standard medical treatment for

acetaminophen overdose. It is prudent to take NAC whenever one uses

acetaminophen.

N-Acetyl Cysteine also helps to prevent damage by aldehydes, which are

breakdown products of alcohol, including the small, but potentially

harmful, amounts of methanol produced by the metabolism of aspartame

(Nutrasweet). Before the next party, remember that research has shown

that with consumption of alcohol, a toxic compound called acetaldehyde

(AH) is formed in the liver. AH is normally broken down by specific

enzymes, but heavy and repeated drinking may overwhelm natural defenses

and allow production of millions of free radicals which, in turn, attack

the liver. N-Acetyl-Cysteine, Silymarin, and other anti-oxidants help

protect and defend the body from AH damage. For those occasions when you

do decide to imbibe, start out with NAC and other free radical fighters

for your best nutritional protection.

Lung:

NAC is an excellent mucolytic agent. It keeps the membranes of the

respiratory system moist, thereby lessening the irritation of dry air,

dust, and pollutants. It also helps the immune system to do its job

properly in the respiratory tract. NAC is available as a prescription

drug for this purpose, but you can buy NAC over the counter for far less

money.

Skin:

The cysteine in NAC is an essential component in hair and nails. Some

people find that it enhances nail growth and makes nails less brittle.

Precautions:

While N-Acetyl Cysteine is a more stable compound than taking oral

cysteine, as it is metabolized, some NAC may be oxidized and become

insoluble. This may form kidney stones. It is therefore recommended that

persons taking NAC take at least as much vitamin C as NAC. Diabetics

should consult their physician before using N-Acetyl-Cysteine, since it

may have an insulin-blocking effect.

How to take it:

N-Acetyl Cysteine is currently the dietary supplement of choice for

boosting or conserving the body's stores of glutathione, cysteine, and

other sulfhydryl antioxidants. NAC is a much better source of

glutathione than taking glutathione itself, because less than half of

supplemental glutathione is absorbed from the digestive system. This

greater efficiency is important since cellular glutathione levels tend

to drop 30% to 35% with age.

N-Acetyl Cysteine is well tolerated, is well absorbed, resists enzymatic

breakdown, and has been proven to raise glutathione levels when taken

orally.

Typical supplemental doses of N-Acetyl Cysteine are 5OO-15OO mg. per

day.

> >

> > HI all, I just stared a new group to discuss experiences with

> > Boyd Haley's new detox product called Oxidative Stress Relief (OSR).

> > The group is called OxidativeStressRelief (no spaces) on

> > groups, and I invite anyone interested to join.

> >

> > This OSR is a new product that is being promoted as increasing

> > gluthatione and killing free radicals in cells--thus allowing the

> > body to be better able to detox.

> >

> > My hope is that members of this new group will share their

> > experiences with OSR, as some believe it is going to deliver

> > fantastic results over other chelators. As it is a very new product,

> > and people are just starting it, I believe there needs to be a place

> > to discuss results and help evaluate efficacy of the product as well

> > as tolerability, etc.

> >

> > The product is expensive (approximately $300 a bottle) though that

is

> > for a 6-month supply. Given that, I think many of us would want to

> > hear about others' experience with it before purchasing.

> >

> > Again, I invite any interested members to join.

> >

> > Again the group name is OxidativeStressRelief within the

Groups.

> >

> > Thanks,

> >

> >

>