You
may have heard of glutathione - the master detoxifier. A fun way to
understand it is to see glutathione as a bunch of Pac-Man chomping away
the toxic debris in our bodies.
Glutathione
is found inside every cell of the body and plays a critical role in many
physiological processes.
The main roles of glutathione
in the human body include:
Antioxidant function: Glutathione
acts as a scavenger of harmful free radicals and peroxides, which are
molecules that can damage cells and contribute to aging and disease. Cell
damage is one of the underlying causes of breast cancer.
Detoxification:
Glutathione helps to detoxify the body by binding to and neutralizing
toxins and pollutants, including heavy metals such as lead and mercury.
It also helps to break down and excrete harmful compounds such as drugs
and pesticides.
Immune system support: Glutathione
plays an important role in the immune system by helping to protect white
blood cells, which are the cells that fight infection and disease.
Eye health: Glutathione
is essential for maintaining proper eye health; it helps protect against
cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.
Skin health:
Glutathione can help to maintain skin health by protecting against sun
damage, preventing wrinkles and age spots, and promoting collagen
production.
Brain health: Glutathione
is also important for maintaining proper brain function; it helps protect
neurons and support neurotransmitter function.
But wait, there's more… Glutathione also helps in hormonal
balance. This is how.
1. Glutathione is involved in the production of hormones such
as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. It acts as a cofactor for
the enzyme that converts cholesterol to pregnenolone, the precursor of
all steroid hormones.
2. Glutathione also helps to detoxify hormones such as
estrogen, which can become harmful if they are not properly metabolized -
we call them “dirty” estrogens. Estrogen can become harmful when it is
not broken down in the liver and instead gets reabsorbed into the bloodstream,
leading to an excess of estrogen. Glutathione helps to detoxify these
hormones by conjugating them so they can be excreted from the body.
3. Glutathione also has been found to improve insulin sensitivity
and glucose metabolism,
which is important in eliminating cravings, mood swings, weight yo-yos,
and sleep issues.
It also plays a role in the regulation of the thyroid hormones
which are key in regulating metabolism and energy levels.
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