Your Immune System Repairman

January 29, 2013
Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS

Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS

Award-winning nutritionist and New York Times bestselling author.

Glutathione - immune system repairGlutathione at your service.

Every once in a while, a true breakthrough in healing comes along that somehow is ignored by the mainstream press.

Meet glutathione.

As a master detoxifier and antioxidant, glutathione occurs in every cell in the body but is most active in the liver. It becomes easily drained because it is neutralized by the major toxic invaders of our time: chemicals, molds, radiation, drugs, and electromagnetic radiation. A continuous supply of glutathione is needed to zap all types of metabolic wastes and other toxic substances like prescription drugs and over-the-counter meds like Tylenol. It is interesting to note that in people with cancer, AIDS and other serious diseases, glutathione levels are severely diminished, suggesting that this antioxidant plays a key role in immune system decline.

Based on research from leading integrative physicians throughout the country, glutathione should be the first line of treatment for the so-called incurables: autism, cystic fibrosis, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, multiple environmental sensitivity, and Parkinson’s. Whether administered by a glutathione “push” or IV to bypass the GI tract, the master antioxidant is targeted directly to tissues like a guided missile. It can also be inhaled and administered through a nebulizer, for which, like the “pushand IV, a doctor’s prescription is required.

You are more likely to find doctors who are more alternative, affiliated with organizations like the American College for Advancement in Medicine (ACAM) at www.acamnet.org and the American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) at www.aaem.com.

Like most antioxidants, glutathione works by supplying an extra electron to unpaired free radical molecules, returning them to a benign state. But in giving up an electron, the glutathione itself becomes a free radical. With the help of hormones like the sleep antioxidant/hormone melatonin, glutathione becomes recharged and renewed and able to regain its antioxidant status to fight another day. Like your friendly resident handyman, it can repair free radical damage on the spot.

To boost glutathione levels, think dietary protein. Because glutathione is comprised of three particular amino acids (cysteine, glutamine, and glycine), one of the best ways to stimulate production is with one or two daily servings of whey— the gold standard when it comes to quality protein. I’ve often written about how whey protein fights off insulin resistance, builds muscle tissue (thanks to it’s rich source of branched chain aminos) and helps pare off the pounds faster and sculpts the body better than any other protein source out there.

But not any whey will do!

Here’s the scoop: The sulfur-rich naturally-derived cysteine is the key ingredient for glutathione production. Since cysteine –like glutathione— is so scarce in the diet these days, this makes whey a natural for cysteine supplementation. If cysteine undergoes any heating or processing, it is denatured and becomes cystine. So far, so good? The heating changes the chemical integrity and therefore changes the effectiveness into a different amino acid with completely different qualities. Cystine cannot build glutathione and that’s the ingredient that is found in all other wheys on the market due to the heating factor.

Fat Flush Whey Protein is formulated and produced with this in mind and is therefore NOT heated. This provides non-denatured and naturally occurring cysteine along with healing lactoferrins and glycoproteins not found in the heated version of whey so popular in the marketplace. Watch this video for more about why Fat Flush Whey Protein is so pure >> http://youtu.be/yLl_l_9cMlQ

Other dietary sources of glutathione include asparagus and the “fragrant” cruciferous veggies —kale, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and broccoli— that are rich in other sulfur-bearing compounds that contribute to the dietary synthesis of this amazing antioxidant.

Supplements like alpha lipoic acid and selenium amp up glutathione levels, too. One of the reasons I take three daily Melatonin before bed is because each tablet of this time-released formula provides a respectable 50mcg of selenium (which totals 150mcg in my case) and 25mg of the viral antioxidant zinc (75mg with three tabs) to help restore maximum levels during sleep when the body is in prime time for restoration.

My ideas for the best protocol to succeed in maximizing your glutathione levels, therefore enhancing overall health and immunity this year would include the following:

  • Alpha lipoic acid (the universal antioxidant used to treat hepatitis — 100-200mg, 3 times a day (dramatically lowers blood sugar, so if you are hypoglycemic cut the dose in half with each meal.)
  • N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC – synthetically derived source of cysteine) — 600mg  1-2 times daily
  • Selenium— 200-300mcg daily
  • Non-denatured whey protein — 20 grams 1-2 times daily
  • Also make sure your multivitamin contains methylated cobalamin (the preferred form of B-12) which plays a role in the production of glutathione.

Glutathione is your immune system’s warrior. Keep it well nourished and it will reward you with super health and protection in 2013!

Related Articles and Podcasts

Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS, is an award-winning New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty books including The Fat Flush Plan series and her latest book, Radical Metabolism. She’s been rewriting the rules of nutrition for more than 40 years and is internationally recognized as a pioneer in the field of diet, detox and women’s health issues. 

For a FREE daily dose of tips and strategies for maintaining healthy weight, conquering insomnia, and much more…check out my Radical Health Tips.

I’d like to meet and greet you on my Facebook groups, so won’t you check us out at the Radical Metabolism RevolutionFat Flush Nation, or my Inner Circle!

16 Comments

  1. Fran Peceri

    I really like reading all the articles but the blue font on blue background was very difficult to see. Please ask your web people to use better contrast and an easier font.
    Thank you!

    Reply
    • liz

      Thank you for your feedback. I will pass this along.

      Reply
  2. m

    I love your information but I wish so bad I could find help with my autoimmune dis-ease..hoshimotos. I’ve tried melatonin, ashwanga, etc etc. all but vit b and calcium and a little c I can tolerate. Any other herbs or vitamins I work opposite on me and I get very ill like I have the flu and fever. I read Andrew Weil say that autoimmune your supplements work the opposite. So I already have an overactive immune system any little thing that triggers immune makes me ill. Any suggestions? Help?
    Thank you
    M

    Reply
  3. Liz

    M – Sounds like you’re expriencing what I went through for 35 years. Hashimotos and autoimmune diseases really can’t be addressed with random supplements; but rather require a systematic, investigative approach tailored to your specific needs – and even the treatment protocol has to be introduced in a systematic manner. About a year and a half ago, I stumbled upon a book by Datis Kharrazian, “Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms? When My Lab Tests are normal” and this has been a lifesaver for me. The “root cause” of autoimmune disease is gluten intolerance, whether you test positive for celiac or not… (in my case blood testing showed a gluten sensitivity). So, to start, do yourself a favor and begin by removing all gluten from your diet to begin healing your gut (along with healthy eating habits). Glutathione is an integral part of modulating the immune system and managing autoimmune disease (transdermal glutathione creams are available if you can’t get IV glutathione) as are fish oil and emulsified Vitamin D — and are necessary in treating autoimmune disease. Gluten free is a must! I credit that book for finally pulling together all the answers I’d searched for for many years. The reason that you are having the “opposite effect” of the supplements you are taking is because there are supplements that work for people who have a specific “pathway dominance” – and, clearly, the supplements you’ve tried are supporting or activating the wrong “pathway” for you. Hope this helps.

    Reply
    • Misti

      I too have Hashimoto’s. My life is a constant mess of exhaustion, illness, and doctor trips. I am so sick of being sick. My husband and children deserve so much more than I can give. ANY thing you can recommend in way of doctors or new pathways is a much welcomed ray of hope. I know there are so many more of us out there. Can you please post more information on this?

      Bless you for sharing your insight and journey!

      Reply
  4. Ninon Delorme (Mrs.)

    I am a type one Diabetic insuline dependent can I take Glutathione supplements ??go check also Maxinternational.com or MyMax.com for supplements

    Reply
    • liz

      There is no contraindication when you are diabetic.

      Reply
  5. Theresa

    I believe in good nutrition. However, I feel that they body uses things eaten/driken as close to the way God put it on the earth is best! How much of these suggested vegetables/week do I need to eat?!?! that’s the issue in our busy worlds….

    Reply
  6. liz

    A serving per day, especially when you are detoxing or your immune system is challenged.

    Reply
  7. Sue

    I have been using glutathione and it has totally changed my life. The best site I have found is GlutaGenic.com. Their products contain IV quality glutathione that is available in a solution for nebulization, a nasal spray or a 500mg suppository. They recommend that you keep their product refrigerated and they ship cold.

    Reply
  8. Teresa M

    I recently read that all whey is denatured since it has been pasteurized. How can you claim it’s not denatured? Is this a different process from the pasteurization process?

    Reply
    • Team ALG

      The Fat Flush Whey Protein is never heated and thus is non-denatured. It comes from certified disease free herds of cows in New Zealand that produce A2 protein.

      Reply
  9. Victoria

    I’m confused. If whey protein is the gold standard, why do we use the plant protein during the smoothie shakedown.

    Reply
    • Team ALG

      The Body Protein, which is rice and pea protein has all the same amino acids but in different amounts than the whey protein. You get different benefits because of this. Plant protein effects your hunger hormones differently and so it helps to keep you feeling full longer than the whey does. Also plant protein helps to speed up your metabolism for easier weight loss.

      Reply
  10. Anne

    Do you recommend a glutathione supplement, such as a spray-type?

    Reply
    • Team ALG

      Ann Louise just recommends taking the Whey so that your body can form the glutathione.

      Reply

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