DEAR DR. GOTT: I read your column every day in my local Arkansas paper. Your recent column talked about the antioxidant vitamins C and E; however, nothing was mentioned about the most powerful one of all — glutathione — that we were born with and decreases with age. Can you discuss this little-talked-about antioxidant?
DEAR READER: Glutathione is reported to be the body’s master antioxidant. It is produced in the liver and plays an important role in metabolism. It is composed of cysteine, glutamic acid and glyceine, and is purported to help human cells function normally. It is found naturally in numerous meats, eggs, fruits and vegetables, such as asparagus, broccoli, avocado and spinach, unprocessed whey protein and milk thistle; however, the absorption rate of glutathione from all food sources in the gastrointestinal tract of humans is apparently low.
It has been used for the treatment of heavy-metal poisoning, to increase the effectiveness of drugs for chemotherapy given for breast cancer, in lowering blood pressure in patients diagnosed with diabetes, for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and a great deal more. Research projects for ALS, cancer, cystic fibrosis, asthma and a number of other conditions are under way with this antioxidant to investigate its potential for boosting the immune system, improving longevity, reduce chances for developing cancer, improving mental, heart and lung function, and increasing energy.
While marketed as a nutritional supplement, there is little documentation to support the theory it actually increases levels within cells. In fact, in human studies, oral doses had minimal effect in raising blood levels. Supplemental vitamin C is reported more effective in increasing intracellular glutathione than the supplement is.
Levels within the human body decrease with age, presumably at a rate of 1 percent per year after the age of 20.
I’m not sure that I will rush out to my local pharmacy in the rain today for a bottle of glutathione, but never say never.