One of the most powerful and influential nutrients produced by our body is glutathione (GSH). It’s believed to be 1000 Xs more powerful than Vitamin C. Considered to be the “king” of the antioxidants, it’s used by our bodies to quench free radicals and inflammation, remove toxins, repair damaged tissues (even DNA), and more than 30 other things, including regenerating other antioxidants like vitamin C & E. In short it’s the kingpin of our immune system. What follows is a review of 7 ways in which Glutathione has been shown to help support and maintain the health of our brain, and reduce risk for cognitive decline.
- By reducing oxidative stress in the body and brain. Oxidative stress, a type of rusting that goes in our body and brain, especially as we age, has been found to be an early event and major contributor to age related cognitive decline.1 Glutathione (GSH) is the premier suppressor of oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species, or what we call free radicals, in the body and the brain.
- By reducing blood sugar levels, abdominal fat and damage to vital proteins in the brain. Some of the best documented contributors to cognitive decline are insulin resistance (diabetes), resulting high blood sugar levels and fat accumulation, which can damage proteins and impair signaling critical to brain health and function. Oxidative stress contributes to insulin resistance, and as noted above GSH suppresses that, but it also exerts a more direct effect on insulin resistance and protects against blood sugar damage to these vital proteins. Researchers at Baylor School of Medicine found in a study of older individuals, that higher glutathione levels were associated with less insulin resistance, higher fat burning and lower rates of fat storage in the body.2
- By facilitating detoxification in the body and brain. Unfortunately there are a growing number of environmental toxins, like mercury, aluminum, lead, molds, Lyme disease, insecticides, industrial toxins, and more than 200 medications that can adversely affect our nervous system and brain , either directly or indirectly. Glutathione is the master detoxifier in our body and liver, reducing the effects of these toxins on our brain and DNA, and extinguishing the associated inflammation (also known to impair brain function), and ushering the exit of these toxins from our body.
- By protecting the production of energy required by our brain. The brain is a super high energy consumer. It requires more energy than any other organ in the body, except the heart. And when it can’t get the energy it needs it slows down and becomes less functional. For optimal energy and focus our bodies and brains require an abundance of mitochondria (cellular energy generators)and a wealth of glutathione to protect them from the free radicals they produce in that process. Free radicals necessitate the anti-oxidative effects of glutathione to prevent mitochondrial damage and mutations to its DNA.3 As noted above they also protect brain cells and their mitochondria from other neurotoxins as well.
- By improving blood flow to the brain. Both macro and micro vascular blood flow is critical to brain health. If that flow is impaired the brain will not be able to acquire the oxygen and nutrients it needs to function optimally. GSH has been shown to help protect arteries from damage, inflammation and plaque formation, but it also increases hemoglobin affinity for oxygen4, and it can help to relax blood vessels, allowing for greater blood flow. It’s no wonder that in a 2002 study from the Mayo Clinic, they found that patients with peripheral artery disease showed significant improvements in both macro and micro-circulatory parameters following intravenous glutathione twice per day, and their pain-free walking distance improved.5 Also great for the brain!
- By reducing the effects of stress and injuries on the brain. Prolonged stress increases cortisol in the brain, which over time can damage cells in the hippocampus, the memory center of the brain. Traumatic brain injuries (TBI), of course, can also damage brain cells. Moreover, a study at Oregon State University found that when levels of glutathione become depleted, in older animals, they died twice as fast when subjected to stress. However, when pretreated with GSH their cells did not die near as quickly.6 Other anecdotal reports from individuals who have suffered concussions and TBI’s suggests glutathione may significantly accelerate recovery from such injuries.
- By improving sleep and reducing the effects of sleep deprivation on the brain. Sleep is critical for brain health. And sleep deprivation decreases GSH levels and can impair learning and memory. However, higher glutathione levels may improve sleep. In one study, it was found that those who had increased levels of glutathione were able to fall asleep easier at night and wake up more refreshed in the morning. Moreover, it was found that the body is able to naturally produce more glutathione when the quality and duration of sleep were increased.7
By now you are probably wondering: “How do I get more of this into my body?” Well that’s a bit tricky. Since glutathione is created in our bodies and released directly into our blood stream, efforts to increase GSH at the cellular level, by taking it in pill or potions have generally failed to boost it at the cellular level, because it was not designed to pass through our digestive system. So heretofore, it was best taken intravenously, or by injections, or by taking more of the precursors for GSH, like the protein L-Cysteine, and other antioxidants like high dose vitamin C, E, alpha lipoic acid, curcumin, etc.
But now there is a new way of increasing GSH levels via an oral swish process using HydraStat™ technology, with purified water, and tiny molecules of GSH, L-cysteine, curcumin, and vitamin C that can be absorbed directly through our oral membranes into our blood stream and cells. All you have to do is swish for at least 30 seconds to 5 minutes and swallow to unlock the benefits of the world's most studied antioxidant. Moreover, this has been found to be even more effective than IV treatments (because the particles are smaller) at much less the cost, and as frequently as needed, without having to go to a clinic.
Since glutathione is so important to brain health, and this Nutriswish® by Neumi, has been shown to enhance the delivery of glutathione into brain cells, the American Brain Council* has elected to endorse this product. If you would like to try it and were referred to this article by a member of Neumi, you need to get back to them for the best pricing. Otherwise, if you would like to email us at [email protected], and let us know where you live, and your phone number, we will have someone get back to you with info on how or where to purchase this product at the best price (There are now more than 30,000 distributors in 72 countries.) But we consider this to be well worth a try!
1A Phase II Randomized Clinical Trial of a Nutritional Formulation for Cognition…
J Alzheimers Dis. 2015;45(2):395-405. doi: 10.3233/JAD-142499.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25589719?dopt=Abstract
2Correcting glutathione deficiency improves impaired mitochondrial fat burning, insulin resistance in aging.
https://www.bcm.edu/news/geriatrics/glutathione-deficiency-fat-insulin-aging
3Mitochondria and Glutathione – Behind the Scenes of Aging and Disease, Holtorf Med Group.
https://www.holtorfmed.com/mitochondria-and-glutathione-behind-the-scenes-of-aging-and-disease/
4Molecular Medicine September 2001, Volume 7, Issue 9, pp 619–623
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF03401868
5Effect of Glutathione Infusion on Leg Arterial Circulation…
https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(11)62019-3/abstract
6Redox Biol. 2016 Dec;10:45-52.
https://www.lifeextension.com/Magazine/2017/4/In-The-News/Page-01
7https://www.slumbr.com/blog/glutathione-naturally-sleep/
