Glutathione - Redox To Detox

Glutathione has been hailed the mother of all antioxidants. 

The more we learn about this powerhouse the more we realize how life sustaining it is. Glutathione is a simple tripeptide made from the amino acids glycine, glutamate and cysteine. Glutathione is the most abundant and important intracellular antioxidant that helps support health aging by supporting crucial detoxifying process. Glutathione’s major ‘duty’ is to help cells rid themselves of toxins and other intracellular debris that are associated with chronic disease such as cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease and Autism. Glutathione is sticky and grabs on to toxins and helps escort them out of the body.

Glutathione: What Does It Do

Under optimal conditions, glutathione recycles antioxidants (chemicals that block the activity of other chemicals known as free radicals that may seriously damage cells). Glutathione also helps support tissue building and repair and plays a huge role in supporting and maintaining a functional immune system. Healthy levels of glutathione help us sustain optimal physical and mental function by controlling dangerous inflammatory processes that lead to chronic disease. Of note, research has shown that glutathione may be helpful in reducing the side effects of several chemotherapeutic medications.

Glutathione: Where Is It Made

In healthy tissue, glutathione is produced in every single cell and is concentrated in the liver. It is found in abundance in the retina and other ocular tissues.

Glutathione: Redox to Detox

Every living cell participates in the metabolic process known as “redox” (reduction-oxidation). Redox reactions are chemical reactions where atoms oxidative states change due to a transfer of electrons (redox = gaining electrons; oxidation = loss of electrons) between species (atoms and other molecules). Species in this context may sound like the next “Cosmic Thriller” and in one way it is because this transfer of energy makes life as we know it possible! A good example of redox signaling involves glutathione peroxidase, which plays a crucial role in oxidative signaling, protecting the cell against the threatening effects of extreme oxidation.

Glutathione: When Levels Drop

Low levels of glutathione are associated with cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disorders, arthritis, cancer and autism. Research has shown that depleted levels of glutathione correlate with reduced levels of dopamine, the neurotransmitter which may contribute to the neurodegenerative and  cognitive changes observed in Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's.

Glutathione: Why Levels Drop

A poor diet, chronic illness, certain medications, stress, infections and radiation can deplete glutathione stores. Repeated exposure to toxic elements (mercury, lead, arsenic, cadmium, manganese, iron) can also deplete glutathione levels because the body cannot keep up with the toxic overload. Remember, glutathione grabs onto toxins and escorts them out of the body. When glutathione levels are depleted, the body becomes overwhelmed with toxins and the immune system loses a healthy grip on our health. So begins a dangerous cycle spinning out of control towards a myriad of chronic diseases.

Glutathione: What's Your Level

Want to learn more about how to live clean in a toxic world? Join us in a Virtual Detox Summit

Resources

High Blood Glutathione Levels Accompany Excellent Physical and Mental Health in Women Ages 60 to 103 Years.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12486409


Effect of Zinc Deficiency on Blood Glutathione Levels
http://jn.nutrition.org/content/111/6/1098.full.pdf


Glutathione Redox State Regulates Mitochondrial Reactive Oxygen Production
http://m.jbc.org/content/280/27/25305.long


Mitochondrial Redox Signalling at a Glance
http://jcs.biologists.org/content/125/4/801.full


The Effects of Redox Controls Mediated by Glutathione Peroxidases on Root Architecture in Arabidopsis thaliana
http://jxb.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2014/01/24/jxb.ert486.full


Glutathione, Oxidative Stress and Neurodegeneration
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10931172


Statistical Evaluation of Preventive Use of Glutathione Against Side-Effects of Surgical Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Gastric Cancer Patients
http://jjco.oxfordjournals.org/content/5/1/19.extract


Antioxidants and Cancer Prevention (National Institutes of Health)
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/prevention/antioxidants


Glutathione: In Sickness and in Health
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(05)78428-2/fulltext#article_upsell

What’s Bugging Grandma?

Helicobacter Pylori (H.Pylori) and Alzheimer’s and Cognitive Impairment From 8 to 80 years old. What’s Bugging Grandma? What’s Bugging Little Joe?

What is Helicobacter Pylori (H.Pylori)?

Helicobacter Pylori (H.Pylori) is gram-negative bacteria found in the stomach. Research has estimated that H.Pylori, is the most prevalent infection in the world. It affects approximately half the world’s population. Over 80% of people infected with H.Pylori will not realize they have it because they will not have symptoms.

H.Pylori Infection Symptoms

Indicators and symptoms associated with an H.Pylori infection may be:

• Abdominal Pain
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Low B12 Levels
• Elevated Homocysteine Levels
• Cognitive Impairment - Changes
• Bloating
• Burping
• Nausea
• Vomiting (vomit may be bloody or look like coffee grounds)
• Black, tarry stools

H.Pylori is known to be a major cause of peptic ulcer disease and is very common, especially in developing countries. Bacteria and viruses are powerful stimulators of the inflammatory process. Research continues to demonstrate a strong link between infective processes (like H.Pylori) and Alzheimer's disease. In May 2008, a special issue of The Journal of Alzheimer's Disease explored the topic of infectious disease as a causative factor for Alzheimer's disease. Scroll down and review the resources. Notice how ‘long’ the list is. Next ask yourself why isn’t a review of a potential infection such as H.Pylori (or Herpes Simplex: Last Post) looked for when signs and symptoms of cognitive impairment manifest – no matter how old the person is who is showing signs and symptoms of cognitive difficulty.

Ordering H.Pylori Blood Tests Online

You can order online blood test for H.Pylori YOURSELF without seeing your doctor first.

If you are interested in learning more, please click the link about ordering H.Pylori blood tests online. If you do decide to follow the link below, please click on the “About Us” on the web site so you can learn more about who we are and why we have made this service available to You!

Yours in Health!

http://www.mylabsforlife.com/Default.aspx?A=ProductSearch&ID=/productresults

Resources

An association between Helicobacter pylori infection and cognitive function in children at early school age: a community-based study

http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2431/11/43

Impact of chronic Helicobacter pylori infection on Alzheimer's disease: preliminary results.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22133280

Helicobacter pylori may be involved in cognitive impairment and dementia development through induction of atrophic gastritis, vitamin B-12–folate deficiency, and hyperhomocysteinemia sequence

http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/86/3/805.full

A potential impact of chronic Helicobacter pylori infection on Alzheimer's disease pathobiology and course.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22325590

Increased cerebrospinal fluid Helicobacter pylori antibody in Alzheimer's disease.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19326283

Does Helicobacter pylori infection increase incidence of dementia? The Personnes Agées QUID Study.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23252507

Diagnosis and treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21466771

Infectious Diseases Related To Travel

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2014/chapter-3-infectious-diseases-related-to-travel/helicobacter-pylori

Every Man’s Disease

http://knowledgeofhealth.com/every-mans-disease/