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GlutathioneIn addition, research suggests that is has a role as an immune system booster, and a detoxifier. Each cell produces the compound for it's own free radical defence, but the production levels diminish due to several factors, of which aging is one. The compound also has significant role in helping to recycle other antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, thus contributing to their effectiveness in an anti aging regimen. As a biomarker of aging, low glutathione levels have been associated in research with premature aging, as well as hepatic dysfunction, immune dysfunction, and cardiac disease. It has been suggested that one of the ways that smoking accelerates aging is due to the fact that certain chemicals in tobacco smoke increase the rate at which the body utilizes glutathione. As a method for raising the compound levels in the body, research has found out that oral supplementation of the compound may not be the best way. One study in this regard showed that healthy people could raise their blood glutathione levels by nearly 50% by taking 500mg of vitamin C each day for 2-weeks. Other nutritional compounds that have been suggested to potentially help boost glutathione levels include: alpha lipoic acid, glutamine, methionine, S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe), and whey protein. Glutathione - StudiesThe effect of polyphenolic extract from pine bark, Pycnogenol on the level of glutathione in children suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Redox Rep. 2006;11(4):163-72. Polyphenols and glutathione synthesis regulation. Am J Clin Nutr. 2005 Jan;81(1 Suppl):277S-283S. (R)-alpha-lipoic acid reverses the age-related loss in glutathione redox status in post-mitotic tissues: evidence for increased cysteine requirement for glutathione synthesis. Arch Biochem Biophys. 2004 Mar 1;423(1):126-35. Low blood glutathione levels in acute myocardial infarction. Indian J Med Sci. 2003 Aug;57(8):335-7. Improved glutathione status in young adult patients with cystic fibrosis supplemented with whey protein. J Cystic Fibrosis. 2003 Dec;2(4):195-8. Effect of dietary restriction and acetylcysteine supplementation on intestinal mucosa and liver mitochondrial redox status and function in aged rats. Exp Gerontol. 2004 Sep;39(9):1323-32. Anti-oxidant effects of cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) bark and greater cardamom (Amomum subulatum) seeds in rats fed high fat diet. Indian J Exp Biol. 1999 Mar;37(3):238-42.
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