Glutathione is key antioxidant that unlocks anti-aging code

Glutathione Anti-aging substance

During the process of energy generation, the mitochondria of cells produce highly toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Under physiological conditions, ROS is controlled by antioxidants, and the most important antioxidant is glutathione (GSH).

An increase in ROS can lead to cell damage, damaging lipids, proteins and DNA, impairs cell structure and function, and endangers survival.

A deficiency of glutathione can weaken the antioxidant defense capacity of cells.

Glutathione is a tripeptide composed of three amino acids: glycine, cysteine and glutamic acid.

The synthesis of glutathione is carried out in two steps.

Correcting glutathione deficiency is not an easy task. It is not feasible to correct glutathione deficiency by taking oral glutathione supplements for the same reason that diabetic patients cannot take insulin orally (that is, it is digested in the intestine).

Even with undigested glutathione, dosage remains a challenge.

Mitochondria produce energy to support life.

Mitochondria can also produce toxic and destructive OxS.

Inducing glutathione deficiency in young and healthy mice can lead to mitochondrial damage. Supplementing glutathione in elderly mice with natural glutathione deficiency and mitochondrial dysfunction can correct these deficiencies.

Clinical studies on the elderly have found that short-term supplementation of glutathione for 2 weeks begins to improve mitochondrial dysfunction, while long-term supplementation of glutathione for 24 weeks can completely correct mitochondrial dysfunction.

It is estimated that by 2050, the world's elderly population will increase and exceed 2 billion.

Research on human aging has identified 14 "aging markers", and these defects are believed to lead to age-related complications.

Including mitochondrial dysfunction, alterations in intercellular communication, dysregulation of nutrient perception, genomic instability, loss of protein homeostasis, cellular senescence, stem cell fatigue, epigenetic changes and telomere defects.

Particularly exciting is the new evidence from human studies that supplementing glutathione can improve/reverse five signs of aging.

Chronic low-grade inflammation during aging process, also known as "inflammation"

It is associated with many age-related diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, diabetes and cognitive decline.

Glutathione improves inflammation by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNFα and C-reactive protein (CRP) and enhancing the anti-inflammatory response in the elderly (by increasing IL-10).

Research has found that supplementing glutathione can also rapidly and continuously improve insulin resistance during the aging process.

Chromosomal DNA is constantly attacked by both internal and external forces, eventually leading to DNA damage.

Researchers studied "healthy" elderly people (by excluding participants with diabetes, liver, heart or kidney disease, cancer or recent hospitalization).

Interestingly, the plasma concentration of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in these healthy elderly participants in our study remained significantly elevated, indicating persistent DNA damage.

Research has found that supplementing glutathione for 24 weeks can significantly reduce plasma 8-OHdG concentration, indicating a reduction in DNA damage in the elderly.

These data indicate that supplementing glutathione can play a significant role in reducing DNA damage and maintaining optimal DNA health.

The physical decline of the elderly leads to a reduced gait speed, intensified muscle weakness and decreased athletic ability.

Gait speed is a crucial component of physical functions during the aging process and is related to survival rates.

Supplementing glutathione for 24 weeks can improve and restore the gait speed of the elderly. It also plays a role in enhancing the muscle strength of the upper and lower limbs and increasing athletic ability.

Aging is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases

Supplementing glutathione to elderly mice can significantly improve diastolic dysfunction.

Elevated CRP concentration is closely related to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Studies have found that supplementing glutathione for 24 weeks can significantly reduce CRP in the elderly.

Glutathione also reduces other risk factors associated with cardiovascular diseases, including insulin resistance, endothelial dysfunction and waist circumference.

Supplementing glutathione can improve multiple aging characteristics, which indicates that multiple aging characteristics may have a common origin.

Supplementing glutathione can improve age-related defects at the cellular level that cause organ and systemic dysfunction.

There is an urgent need for future focused research on the impact of glutathione supplements on all aging markers.

References

Rajagopal V Sekhar,GlyNAC Supplementation Improves Glutathione Deficiency, Oxidative Stress, Mitochondrial Dysfunction, Inflammation, Aging Hallmarks, Metabolic Defects, Muscle Strength, Cognitive Decline, and Body Composition: Implications for Healthy Aging,The Journal of Nutrition,Volume 151, Issue 12,2021,Pages 3606-3616,ISSN 0022-3166,https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/nxab309.