Is there evidence that taking glutathione or its precursors orally will be effective?

Answer:

Taking glutathione orally is not effective, however taking its precursors is effective.

Glutathione, a protein, is synthesized intracellularly with the precursors (amino acids) - they are cysteine, glutamine or glutamic acid, and glycine.

Of these, the one that is limited in our diet is cysteine. To make matters worse, free cysteine is destroyed in the gut, and over- supplementation of this can cause hypercystinemia.

However, there are several ways of raising glutathione that have been studied to be effective. The most thoroughly studied ways of doing this are with forms of cysteine.

Immunocal is a bonded cysteine delivery system, and I have found it to be the most thoroughly researched, safe, and effective way of raising and sustaining intracellular glutathione by supplying the missing amino acid to our cells. As a glutathione educator, I've written an 86 page website on the topic.

Bonded cysteine (two cysteines linked together by a heat sensitive sulfur bond) is in mother's breast milk, and is the reason that babies that are breast fed have stronger immune systems and are healthier overall throughout life.

The bonded cysteine survives the digestive process, and is used by the cells to make glutathione. Bonded cysteine is found today in raw meat, raw eggs, and raw cow's milk, which we don't regularly consume in enough amounts to be effective. Immunocal is prepared from raw cow's milk.

To see the published research on Immunocal, you can go to PubMed and type in the product by name. There are 27 published clinicals, and 11 of them will come up by name, for conditions like cancer, HIV, cystic fibrosis, hepatitis, and athletic performance. It was discovered by accident by a doctor doing cancer research at McGill University in Montreal over 30 years ago.

For a list of all currently known ways to raise and sustain glutathione, I wrote a page based on Dr. Jimmy Gutman's bestseller "Glutathione - Your Key To Health", and you can view this list by clicking on "Site Map" on the left and scrolling to "How To Raise Glutathione".

There are new products being formulated and tested as we speak, since glutathione enhancement is a very profitable market to be in right now.

N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) has been used for years in emergency medicine to treat acetaminophen overdose. Its effectiveness in raising glutathione is without question, and saves lives in this application, but it is a drug, with potentially toxic side effects, and needs more study to determine safety for chronic daily usage.

Most on the list may be obtained at a health food store. IV glutathione must be administered by a health professional. Immunocal must be purchased through a consultant, or with a prescription at the drug store. It is a nutraceutical listed in the PDR, Pharmacist's Red Book, and Canadian CPS.

You can learn more at the "Immunocal" tab on the left.