By now you know antioxidants fight the free radicals that cause premature aging, cancer, Alzheimer’s and pretty much every other disease under the sun.
But did you know that there’s one antioxidant that does this better than all the rest?
It’s been called the “mother of all antioxidants,” the “master antioxidant” and the “ultimate antioxidant.” And not one of these nicknames is an exaggeration.
That’s because this superhero antioxidant not only fights free radicals, it enhances the free radical-fighting powers of all the other antioxidants circulating around in your body too.
And it attracts toxins like a magnet and removes them from your body, making it one of the most efficient whole-body detoxifiers you can ask for. If all that weren’t enough, it boosts your immune system to too.
This utterly amazing antioxidant is glutathione. And it’s the number one antioxidant your body needs to stay healthy and strong. The good news is, your body produces glutathione naturally. The bad news is, your body probably isn’t producing enough due to age, environmental stressors and lifestyle.
In fact, I’d venture to guess that you’re probably deficient in glutathione. Especially if you’ve hit middle age. And even more likely if you have a chronic disease. Research has linked a deficiency to everything from cancer to multiple sclerosis, to macular degeneration to autism.
But even if you don’t have a chronic disease, a glutathione deficiency can make you feel generally unwell. You may have vague symptoms like:
- Headaches
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Low energy
- Brain fog
- Skin problems (like rashes and dry patches)
- Frequent flus and colds
Now, your body’s glutathione production declines naturally with age. You can’t stop aging completely, but you can slow it and decrease the factors that rob you of glutathione. To do that:
Most of these factors are in your control, so you have the power to optimize your glutathione levels and your health. Changing your diet is a good first step. You can start by eating foods that encourage your body to increase production, like:
You can also use supplements to boost your glutathione levels. Certain vitamins encourage your body to produce more, including vitamin B12, vitamin B6, folate, selenium, vitamin C and vitamin E.
And there are even glutathione supplements on the market. The only problem is, glutathione is essentially useless to your body when taken orally. It tends to get lost in your gut and never makes its way to your bloodstream or your cells.
The only effective glutathione supplement on the market is liposomal glutathione. This is glutathione that’s been hidden in a microscopic balls of fat, so your cells will actually absorb it. It comes in a liquid form, and you usually take one teaspoon one to three times per day. I take mine mixed with juice because it has a pretty pungent taste. But be warned… it’s not a cheap supplement. A 4-ounce bottle will cost you around $50. So you may want to spare your pocketbook and stick to dietary sources of this ultimate anti-aging antioxidant.
Sources:
“Glutathione: The Mother of All Antioxidants.” The Huffington Post. http://www.huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
Pressman, Alan H. and Sheila Buff. Glutathione: The Ultimate Antioxidant. New York, NY: St. Martin’s Press, 1997.
“The Ultimate Guide to Antioxidants.” Mercola.com. http://articles.mercola.com. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
B Schulz, J. Lindenau, J. Seyfried, J. Dichgans. “Glutathione, oxidative stress and neurodegeneration.” The FEBS Journal. 2000 Aug; 267(16): 4904–4911.
Kharb, V. Singh, P.S. Ghalaut, A. Sharma, G.P. Singh. “Glutathione levels in health and sickness.” Indian Journal of Medical Sciences. 2000 Feb;54(2):52-4.
“Glutathione Deficiency.” ImmuneHealthScience.com. http://www.immunehealthscience.com. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
“How does liposomal glutathione work?” WellWise.org. http://glutathione.wellwise.org. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
