Glutathione, often hailed as the "master antioxidant," is a tripeptide molecule that plays a critical role in maintaining cellular health and protecting the body from oxidative stress. Found in every cell of the body, glutathione is involved in a wide range of essential processes that contribute to overall health and well-being.
The Importance of Glutathione:
1. Antioxidant Defence:- Glutathione is the body's primary antioxidant, responsible for neutralizing harmful free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can damage cells and contribute to ageing and disease. It acts as a powerful scavenger, donating electrons to free radicals and converting them into harmless compounds. By protecting cells from oxidative stress, glutathione helps maintain cellular integrity and function.
- Glutathione plays a crucial role in detoxification, particularly in the liver, where it helps neutralize and eliminate toxins, heavy metals, and harmful chemicals from the body. Glutathione binds to toxins and facilitates their excretion via bile and urine, ensuring that they are safely removed from the body. Adequate glutathione levels are essential for optimal liver function and overall detoxification capacity.
- Glutathione plays a vital role in supporting immune function and modulating immune responses. It helps regulate the activity of immune cells, including T cells, B cells, and natural killer cells, enhancing their ability to detect and destroy pathogens. Glutathione also helps reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, promoting a balanced immune response and supporting overall immune resilience.
- Glutathione is involved in cellular repair and regeneration processes, helping to maintain DNA integrity, repair damaged proteins, and promote cell survival. It plays a critical role in apoptosis (programmed cell death), ensuring the removal of damaged or dysfunctional cells and the replacement with healthy ones. Glutathione supports tissue repair and regeneration, contributing to overall tissue health and vitality.
- Glutathione participates in the recycling of other antioxidants such as Vitamin C and Vitamin E, extending their antioxidant activity and maximizing their effectiveness. After neutralizing free radicals, these antioxidants become oxidized themselves. Glutathione helps regenerate them back to their active forms, allowing them to continue their protective role in the body.