Glutathione

Glutathione is one of my favourite nutrients because it packs such a punch in terms of effect. Most of my patients who ask for glutathione infusions are interested in its powerful detoxifying capacity. However, this hard-working nutrient has a great deal more benefits for your health, including preventing cellular damage and scavenging free radicals from the body and as such it is considered crucial for maintaining overall health and wellness.

"Perhaps the best indicator of the importance of glutathione is that its cellular and mitochondrial levels directly are highly associated with health and longevity." Pizzorno J (Editor of IMCJ)

Glutathione is simply a combination of three naturally occurring amino acids: cysteine, glutamic acid, and glycine. Our bodies naturally assemble this combination of amino acids into what is known as the ‘master antioxidant’ within the body. Glutathione naturally occurs in the liver where it not only assists in the detoxification process, but also protects the tissues from exposure to toxicity.

We are constantly being exposed to toxins both from the external world but also from our internal “processes”. Glutathione plays a role in helping the body safely process and eliminate toxins, primarily in the liver, but in all tissues within the body.

As we age, glutathione production begins to reduce, making us less effective at clearing out the “garbage” that builds up from day to day. This decline in production worsens with a high-stress lifestyle, poor eating habits or poor quality food, excessive toxins like smoking, alcohol or environmental pollutants and poor sleep amongst other reasons.

When you don’t have enough in your body, it can suffer from oxidative stress caused by free radicals. Many chronic health conditions are associated with low glutathione levels, including autoimmune diseases and heart disease.

What does it do?

Glutathione has many possible benefits including:

• Protects against oxidative stress: Oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance between the production of free radicals and the body's ability to neutralize them.   Free radicals are highly reactive molecules that can damage cells and contribute to the development of chronic diseases. Glutathione helps to      neutralize free radicals and protect against oxidative stress, which may help to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
• Supports the immune system: Glutathione is an important immune system support, helping to protect against infections and inflammation. It plays a role in      activating white blood cells, which are key to fighting off infections,  and it helps to regulate the production of cytokines, which are proteins that play a role in immune system function.
• Helps to detoxify the body: Glutathione plays a key role in the detoxification process by binding to toxins and helping to remove them from the body. It can also help to protect against the harmful effects of toxins by neutralizing their damaging effects on cells.
• May improve mental health: Some research has suggested that glutathione may have a positive effect on mental health, including reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression.
• Improves the appearance of the skin (including dark spots, uneven skin tone, liver spots, and signs of ageing).
• Improves pigmentation from sun-damaged skin.
• Supports cell regeneration including tissue building, cell growth, and wound healing.

Overall, glutathione is a powerful antioxidant that plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health and wellness. It is important to maintain healthy levels of glutathione in the body through a healthy diet, regular exercise, and stress management techniques.

Glutathione can be taken orally as a supplement or you can also increase food sources that contain the required amino acids to make glutathione, such as asparagus, curcumin, broccoli, avocado, spinach, garlic, foods high in vitamin C (e.g., citrus fruits) and selenium (e.g., Brazil nuts).

For some people where there are absorbtion issues, we may consider IV.

Oral or IV?

Intravenous (IV) glutathione is a form of glutathione that is administered directly into the bloodstream through a vein, while oral supplementation refers to taking glutathione in the form of a pill, powder, or liquid that is ingested by mouth.

There are a few reasons why some people may prefer IV glutathione to oral supplementation:

1. Higher bioavailability: When glutathione is taken orally, it must first be absorbed through the digestive system and then transported to the liver for metabolism. This process can significantly reduce the amount of active glutathione that is available to the body. In contrast, IV glutathione bypasses the digestive system and is delivered directly to the bloodstream, resulting in higher bioavailability and a more potent effect.

2. Faster absorption: IV glutathione is absorbed much more quickly than oral supplementation, which means that the effects can be felt more quickly. This can be particularly beneficial for people who are looking to address specific health concerns or who need a quick boost of antioxidant support.

3. More convenient: IV glutathione can be administered in a healthcare setting, making it a convenient option for people who may not have the time or ability to take oral supplements on a regular basis.

It is important to note that IV glutathione is typically only used in specific cases and is not suitable for everyone. It is important to speak with a healthcare provider to determine the best form of glutathione supplementation for your individual needs.

We now offer glutathione via IV or push in the clinic and these can be administered during your regular appointment.

IV or push?

Glutathione can be administered either as an IV drip or a push. A glutathione drip and push are just different ways of delivering the nutrients to your cells.

IV Push

(nutrients delivered via a syringe)

• A push is not diluted as much which means it takes just 20 minutes.
• We use a butterfly needle and syringe to slowly ‘push’ the glutathione through the vein.
• Better value than a drip if you don’t want additional vitamins and nutrients added.

vs.

IV Drip

(nutrients delivered via a drip)

• A drip is more diluted (saline) and takes around 45 minutes which means you can take the time to relax more during your treatment.
• With a drip you can choose to add additional nutrients.

We use the very best quality vitamins and nutrients available and can tailor your IV vitamin therapy to your body’s requirements.

An initial consultation is included in the cost of your appointment and will happen prior to arrival at the clinic. This is to determine that you are medically fit and for me to understand your needs and to ensure that the treatment is appropriate to your needs. We can also run extensive laboratory testing to customise your treatment further. we can further tailor by adding additional vitamins and nutrients. If you are deemed suitable you’ll receive the treatment straight away.

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