Cystic fibrosis

cystic fibrosis is a chronic inflam­matory lung condition caused by a glutathione deficiency in the face of oxidative stress.

G lutathione deficiency has been linked to many chronic diseases. Diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, schizo­phrenia, bipolar disorder, hepatitis, cystic fibrosis, HIV infection and AIDS, cancer, heart disease, stroke, macular degeneration, asthma, COPD, and diabetes are all linked to oxidative damage and glutathione deficiency. Glutathione deficiency allows oxidative damage to accelerate the progression of these conditions. Let’s take a closer look at some of these health conditions.

Viral diseases are closely linked to glutathione deficiency. Peoplewith hepatitis, HIV infection,and AIDS characteristically have low glutathione levels.

In a trial of twenty-one individuals with cystic fibrosis, supplementation with whey protein powder increased glutathione levels. These patients took 10 g of whey protein isolate or casein placebo twice a day for three months. Glutathione levels were measured in the patients’ lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell). The people supplementing with whey protein experienced a 46.6 percent increase in their lymphocyte glu­tathione levels. Those supplementing with casein did not see any change. This study demonstrated that dietary supplementation with a whey-based product can increase glutathione levels in cystic fibrosis.

Many consider glutathione to be the most important of our body’s antioxidants, especially since it is found in every cell of the body.

Many consider glutathione (also known as GSH) to be the most important of our body’s antioxidants, especially since it is found in every cell of the body. It is composed of three amino acids glutamaic acid, cysteine, and glycine and it has numerous functions within our cells. Glutathione is found throughout the body and is especially con­centrated in the liver.

Another randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial studied the use of a fermented food made from fruit, nuts, and vegetables rich in poly­phenols on the immune system in healthy volunteers. By the end of the four-week study, the researchers noted that eating the fermented food significantly enhanced intracellular glutathione levels in all of the white blood cells. In other words, boosting glutathione with this functional food also boosted immunity.

While there are many foods that increase glutathione, there are also some foods that decrease glutathione. Foods like cereal, bread, tea, coffee, and dairy products not only lack glutathione, they destroy it.

the practice of yoga increases our body’s production of glutathione. This was nicely demon­strated in a recent clinical trial. This study was conducted on healthy male volunteers from the Indian Navy who were divided into two groups a yoga group and a control group. The yoga group was trained in yoga for six months. The yoga schedule consisted of prayers, asana, pranayama, and meditation. The control group practiced routine physical training exercise, also for six months. Glutathione levels increased significantly (p < 0.05) in the yoga group over the control group after completion of training.

Another way to augment the antioxidant defense system of our body and to protect our glutathione stores is by spending time every day with our body in contact with the earth. The earth is a vast and continuous source of electrons. Free radicals, the cause of oxidative damage, are desperate for electrons. Instead of spending regular time in contact with this enormous source of electrons, we have insulated ourselves from it. One of the worse consequences of modern living is our lack of physical contact with the earth. Most of us spend our days insulated in our rubber soled shoes and living in buildings, sometimes several stories off of the ground. Very few individuals take their shoes and socks off and put their feet on the earth every day. If they did, their bodies would experience an influx of electrons and antioxidant effects. This influx, in turn, would spare our beleaguered antioxidants such as glutathione.

According to John P. Richie, Jr., PhD, professor of Public Health Sci­ences and Pharmacology at Penn State University College of Medicine, glutathione depletion is common and levels can vary substantially from one person to another. He says, “Laboratory findings clearly indicate that oral glutathione supplementation is an efficient means to maintaining optimal glutathione levels.”

all from herb.com