Glutathione levels can be increased safely and efficiently through the administration of several different supplements. First, N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) is a pharmaceutical available both as a prescription medication and as an over the counter supplement, and has been scientifically proven to increase levels of glutathione at the cellular level. N-Acetylcysteine is a variant of the amino acid cysteine, which is one of the three amino acids necessary for the production of glutathione. Taking N-Acetylcysteine is an effective method of increasing glutathione levels because cysteine is the only amino acid necessary for the production of glutathione that the body can run out of. If an unlimited amount of cysteine is available for reaction, the body would be capable of producing an unlimited amount of glutathione.
At this point, I should mention that it is virtually impossible to overdose on glutathione. You physically cannot cause your body to produce more glutathione than it is capable of handling. The glutathione present in your body is actually a self-regulating substance. The enzyme gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase, which is necessary for the synthesis of glutathione in the first place, prevents the production of a toxic level of glutathione. That said, it is possible for people to have allergic reactions to certain glutathione precursors such as NAC and undenatured whey protein. Please check with a health professional prior to commencing any new supplements or dietary changes.
Another supplement that has been scientifically proven to increase cellular glutathione levels is undenatured whey protein. Like N-Acetylcysteine, undenatured whey protein contains high levels of digestible cysteine. In other, homogenized whey proteins, the heat involved in the homogenizing process destroys cysteine contained by the whey protein, rendering it useless for the purpose of raising glutathione levels. After homogenization, whey protein is no longer bioactive. Unlike standard whey protein supplements, undenatured whey protein does not undergo the homogenization process. As a result, the cysteine in the protein remains bioactive, is readily absorbed through the digestive system, and is consequently passed on to the cells of the body. Once the cysteine reaches the cells of the body, the cells once again begin the production of glutathione.
Finally, glutathione can be administered intravenously by a medical professional. In preparation for injection, the glutathione is first dissolved in a solution. Next, it is injected through an IV, directly into a vein on the forearm. Injecting glutathione into the blood stream immediately increases glutathione levels inside of cells, increasing the cells’ protection from free radicals, boosting the immune system, and starting the detoxification of the body. The dissolved glutathione solution is available for purchase without a prescription, but you will have to ask your doctor for a recommendation as to who can give you the IV. Intravenous injection of glutathione yields the fastest results out of the methods described here, but the treatment is more expensive and time-intensive. Getting the standard glutathione treatment of three IV injections per week can be frustrating, but the results will be quickly evident.
In conclusion, N-Acetylcysteine and undenatured whey protein are the two most carefully investigated and proven supplements for increasing cellular levels of glutathione. They are proven to be simple, effective methods of increasing glutathione levels in the body. Intravenous injection of glutathione has also been proven to be a safe and effective method, and is the only way to immediately bolster glutathione levels in the body. It is virtually impossible to overdose on glutathione because glutathione has a self-regulating enzyme called gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase. Gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase is required for the synthesis of glutathione, but also limits the production of new glutathione before the glutathione levels become toxic. Increasing your glutathione levels can be a safe, effective procedure to increase your overall wellbeing.
Sources: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20006194?itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum&ordinalpos=3 (n-acetylcysteine)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15463873?itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum&ordinalpos=1 (whey protein)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2362.1991.tb01366.x (High-dose intravenous glutathione in man.)
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