Glutathione GSH

Glutathione is a naturally occurring substance produced by our bodies that protects the human body in a number of ways. Produced in the liver from the peptide linking of the amino acids glycine, cysteine, and gamma-glutamic acid, glutathione is used by nearly every cell in the body to reduce free radicals and prevent environmental damage. This is especially important to the immune system, which bears the brunt of many of the attacks the human body faces on a daily basis.

The body’s immune system has a difficult job to do. It must accurately assess whether a foreign substance is potentially harmful, and react accordingly. Sometimes, as in asthma, arthritis, and auto-immune disorders, some confusion can occur and the immune system enacts a response when one is not necessary. One of the primary defence mechanisms typically employed is inflammation, a reaction that is useful when a broken bone needs to be held immobile or extra blood needs to be shunted to the site of an infection, but less helpful when you have simply inhaled a bit of ragweed pollen.

Inflammation is the primary agent responsible for the swelling and pain associated with arthritis, and for the airway restriction associated with asthma and bronchitis. One of the key players in the inflammatory response, a small lipid molecule known as a leukotriene, is actually inhibited by the presence of glutathione.

Leukotriene antagonists are among the most commonly prescribed medications for relieving the symptoms of asthma, arthritis, and other inflammation-related disorders. However, because there is a naturally occurring antagonist produced right in the body – glutathione – it could be a natural option to try to increase the natural synthesis of glutathione to help support the reduction of incidents of inflammatory conditions. Indeed, safely increasing glutathione levels shows great promise as a potential option for many inflammatory conditions.