30 Jan The ‘Master Antioxidant’: The Health Benefits of Glutathione Injections

Glutathione (commonly abbreviated as GSH), as we’ll explore here, deserves well its popular crown as the reigning “master antioxidant.”

Glutathione molecule

Let’s explore what glutathione is, how it promotes optimal health, and the glutathione injections Dr. Moma offers exclusively in her anti-aging clinic.

What is glutathione?

Glutathione has been dubbed the “master antioxidant” because it’s found in relatively high concentrations in nearly every human cell.

As a tripeptide, the glutathione compound contains a trio of amino acids:

• glutamic acid
• glycine
• cysteine

Good things come in threes. In addition to its three constituents parts, glutathione exerts three essential physiological functions:

• Antioxidation
• Detoxification
• Free radical scavenging

How does the body produce glutathione?

Researchers have identified three ways the body manufactures endogenous glutathione:

• Creation of new glutathione molecules with two naturally-occurring enzymes: glutathione synthetase and glutamate cysteine ligase. This method is called de novo
• Regeneration of oxidized glutathione disulfide (GSSG) into reduced GSH via the enzyme glutathione reductase
• Recycling cysteine out of conjugated glutathione

Supplementation can support healthy glutathione levels

Due to a variety of underlying health conditions, glutathione synthesis might be impaired. As a result, unchecked oxidative stress and free radical damage can accumulate, further compromising health.

That’s where supplementation can help.

How does glutathione exert its potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects?

Glutathione works at the cellular level to produce its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.

The chart below illustrates the biomolecular mechanism at play.

Image source: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta

health.

The benefits of glutathione supplementation

Glutathione can slow or prevent neurodegenerative conditions tied to oxidative stress like early-onset Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI):

“Oxidative stress is a known characteristic of MCI and AD. Up-regulation of endogenous antioxidants is vital in combating oxidative stress… Glutathione is the most abundant and versatile endogenous antioxidant… Increasing glutathione remains a promising therapeutic strategy to slow or prevent MCI and Alzheimer disease.”

Glutathione deficiency also plays a role in the development of mental health disorders. By logical extension, supplementation may improve these conditions.

To help prevent viral and bacterial infections, glutathione enhances the innate immune response. Accordingly, glutathione, according to research published in the medical journal Antioxidants, “could be critical in extinguishing the exacerbated inflammation that triggers organ failure in COVID-19… increasing body GSH could reduce the number of symptomatic patients.”

And, last but not least, glutathione is an integral part of an anti-aging strategy as you move through the years, as age-related glutathione deficiencies are implicated in multiple chronic disease processes:

“Dysregulation of GSH synthesis contributes to the pathogenesis of many pathological conditions. These include diabetes mellitus, pulmonary and liver fibrosis, alcoholic liver disease, cholestatic liver injury, endotoxemia and drug-resistant tumor cells.”

Access restorative, detoxifying glutathione infusions in Dr. Moma’s clinic

Schedule your appointment today to access Dr. Moma’s pharmaceutical-grade glutathione injections.

Don’t rely on oral glutathione alone. The clinical literature clearly shows that they don’t work as well as injections. In one study, researchers found no increase in glutathione levels nor any anticipated decrease in oxidative stress following oral administration of 500 mg glutathione twice daily:

“No significant changes were observed in biomarkers of oxidative stress, including glutathione status, in this clinical trial of oral glutathione supplementation in healthy adults.”

Glutathione injections bypass the digestive tract for direct delivery to the tissues and cells where it does its work.

To support supplementation, natural remedies can also help boost glutathione levels:

• Regular exercise
• Including more sulfur-rich foods in your diet (such as garlic, onion meat, broccoli, kale, etc.)
• Increased protein intake (because amino acids are precursors to glutathione synthesis)

Contact Dr. Moma to learn more about glutathione and other anti-aging therapies

Dr. Sylvienash Moma specializes in a wide array of health optimization and anti-aging healthcare services, which range from hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to Botox© fillers.

To schedule a convenient telehealth appointment or to learn more about the healthcare she provides at her clinic, contact Dr. Sylvienash Moma, DNP.