Glutathione (GSH) is referred to as the "master antioxidant" because it is located within your cells, the functional basic unit of life. It is a small molecule comprised of three constituent amino acids: glycine, glutamate and cysteine. Glutathione is at a capital position to neutralize free radicals through its intracellular antioxidant activity. Free radicals are so highly reactive that they can damage or destroy key cell components like cell membrane and DNA in microseconds. The anti-oxidant effect exerted by Glutathione keeps your cells healthy. This explains why Blood Glutathione level is one of the most important indicators of your overall health. As the master antioxidant in your body, Glutathione performs diverse functions:

• Detoxfying Agent - The Glutathione molecule forms a soluble compound with the toxin which can then be excreted through the urine or the gut. The lungs, liver, and kidneys contain high levels of Glutathione as they have the greatest exposure to toxins. Many cancer producing chemicals, heavy metals, and drug metabolites are disposed through these organs' workings with the help of Glutathione.
  


• Metabolic Regulator - Glutathione regulates many of your cell’s vital functions, such as the synthesis and repair of DNA, the synthesis of proteins, and regulation of enzymes.


• Antioxidant Catalyst - Glutathione incites activity of other antioxidants like Vitamin C and Vitamin E. It prevents these antioxidants from becoming free radicals themselves and also regenerates them for optimal benefit.
  


• Immunostimulant - Glutathione facilitates production of lymphocytes to generate a strong immune response required for killing cancer cells or virally infected cells.

As you age, your body's ability to produce Glutathione declines. Depleted Glutathione stores lead to accelerated aging and health problems. Under ideal conditions, 10% of cellular Glutathione remains inactive while the other 90% is active and at work. But excessive toxins in today's environment are too much for this 90/10 Glutathione ratio to handle. As Glutathione production decreases, toxins build up and further exhaust Glutathione supplies making optimal health more difficult to maintain. When Glutathione falls below 70% of required levels, risks for serious diseases are increased. Only enhanced internal Glutathione levels and fortified immune system can counteract this problem.

Treatment Benefits
Clinical studies have concluded that a boost in Glutathione levels significantly strengthens weakened immune systems and aids in countering neurodegenerative and autoimmune conditions. Below is a list of afflictions that Glutathione helps to address:

• Diseases associated with aging such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, cataract formation, macular degeneration, prostate problems, and osteoarthritis.

• Illnesses caused by infection such as AIDS, hepatitis, herpes, common colds, bacterial infection, autoimmune dysfunctions, chronic fatigue syndrome, and immunosuppression.

• Cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease, stroke, atherosclerosis, and reperfusion injury.

• Ailments of the digestive system such as inflammatory bowel disease, hepatitis, pancreatitis, peptic ulcer, and malnutrition.

• Pulmonary diseases such as cystic fibrosis, asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and pulmonary fibrosis.

Elevated Glutathione levels are also beneficial in the following areas:

Cancer

• Prevents cancer, suppresses tumor growth, eliminates carcinogens and mutagens

• Retards oxidative damage to DNA

• Prevents Wasting Disease

• Eases side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy

Toxicology

• Detoxifies certain drug overdoses

• Detoxifies substances in cigarette smoke and auto exhaust

• Detoxifies pollutants including heavy metals and pesticides

• Prevents hearing loss from noise pollution

• Detoxifies many well-known carcinogens

• Breaks up mucus

Metabolic Processes

• Athletic enhancement

• Decreases recovery time from physical stress

• Decreases cholesterol LdL (Low-density Lipoproteins) oxidation

• Supports hemoglobin in kidney failure

• Helps in treating Diabetes
  

Raising Your Glutathione Levels
Besides LifeWave Y-Age Glutathione patches, options for elevating Glutathione levels are either ineffective and / or fraught with side-effects:

Oral Glutathione - Glutathione pills may lose its potency upon going through the digestive process and may not even reach the cells of your body at all. Since Glutathione needs to be made in and by your cells, taking Glutathione orally is more likely a wasted effort. The oral supplements will be broken down by your digestive enzymes and be effectively eliminated.

Injectable Glutathione - To address the problem of Glutathione pills losing potency during digestion, Glutathione injections have been introduced. However, these injections may cause allergic reactions like tightness in chest and throat, difficulty in breathing, rash, hives, and swollen or itchy skin. They may also lead to serious digestive problems such as severe pains in the abdomen, excess gas, and diarrhea, especially for people who suffer from liver and kidney problems. According to the Aging Studies Institute, a large dose of Glutathione can adversely cause shakes and nervous twitches as well as anxiety and depression. Injectable Glutathione may also react with Selenium and may bring about numbness in the limbs, whitening of the nails, and hair loss.

Natural Supplements - Your body needs certain compounds to produce its own Glutathione. This gives way for the intake of natural supplements as an option for raising your Glutathione levels:

• L-Cysteine - The amount of cysteine in your body determines how much Glutathione your body can make. Cysteine supplements may increase your Glutathione levels, however, researchers speculate possible risks associated with it such as developing hypercysteinemia and potential toxicity. 

• L-Methionine - Methionine is indeed a precursor of Glutathione. However, the metabolic transformation of Methionine into Glutathione is so complex that it may deviate from its main function and may work for a negative purpose, instead. Being also a forerunner of Homocysteine, Methionine intake is a risk factor in the development of Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).

• Melatonin - Melatonin has the ability to raise Glutathione levels in certain tissues of the body, including those in the brain, liver, and muscles. However, the shelf life of products promoting melatonin production has not been constituted yet. They should only be used in consultation with appropriate health professionals.

• Glutamine - Glutamine is an amino acid found in your body. Glutamine supplements must be kept absolutely dry or they will degrade into ammonia and may cause intoxication. 

• Alpha-Lipoic Acid - Lipoic Acid supplements work well with healthy levels of Glutathione. Yet, studies show that for a person whose Glutathione levels are too low already, Lipoic Acid intake may actually promote oxidation.

• Silymarin (Milk Thistle) - Silymarin is an herbal extract that not only stimulates the growth and regeneration of damaged liver cells but also increases Glutathione production. However, some toxic reactions like gas, cramps, and diarrhea have been noted with Silymarin supplements.

• Whey Proteins - Fresh or “bioactive” Milk Whey contains potent Glutathione precursors. However, its bioactivity and Glutathione-enhancing benefits may be lost in time due to the process of pasteurization. 

Pharmaceuticals - Several drugs help elevate Glutathione levels:

• N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) - NAC, an enhanced variant of the amino acid L-cysteine, works well in increasing Glutathione levels but needs to be taken or injected several times a day to keep the levels consistent. Furthermore, it also carries a certain level of toxicity.

• S-Adenosyl-Methionine (SAM) - SAM is a drug form of Methionine which has been partially converted to Cysteine. It may cause dry mouth, agitation, gastrointestinal problems, and other side-effects when taken with Anti-depressants.

• Ornithine Decaroxylase (OTC) and Oxothiazolidine Carboxylate (OTZ) - OTC and OTZ are synthetic delivery sources that carry chemicals to your liver and prompt it to make more Glutathione. These drugs are still being tested.