This important antioxidant is found in high concentrations in most cells in the body and is crucial for maintaining and promoting health and preventing disease. The two main benefits of higher glutathione levels in the body are:
Consequently, it is associated with better health and longevity.
Low or deficient levels of this antioxidant have been linked with various age-related diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, chronic liver disease, hypertension, mental health disorders and many cancers.
So what causes a dramatic drop of glutathione in our cells? The impact of internal stress factors and being exposed to environmental contaminants such as PCB’s, pesticides, heavy metals, herbicides, household cleaning products, pollution, alcohol and smoking. This can be made worse through oxidative stress, a lack of nutrients and poor digestion (often the result of low stomach acid, insufficient chewing of food and eating on the run).
Twenty to fifty percent of certain populations have defects in their genes undermining the body’s ability to produce glutathione. Potentially, this leaves many people with insufficient levels.
Increasing the intake of the following foods can be beneficial:
Supplemental support is also an option. Please contact Teresa at Ebb&Flow for more details.
References: Griffiths R, Mitochondrial in Health and Disease, Singing Dragon, London, 2018 Mininch, D, Brown, B. A review of Dietary (Phyto)Nutrients for Glutathione Support, ’Nutrients’, (2019)