Looking for the highest natural sources of glutathione? Learn where to find the best sources of glutathione in foods, herbs, and natural supplements. But first.
Glutathione is the most important antioxidant produced by the liver with a role in repairing and regenerating cells affected by oxidative stress, toxins, and free radicals. Even more, this amazing antioxidant helps detoxify the liver, where most pathogens and toxins end up. Before we get to the highest natural sources of glutathione, let’s see what this powerful antioxidant does in the body.
In This Article You Will Find:
What Is Glutathione?
Glutathione is a coenzyme peptide naturally produced by the body, that is composed of three amino acids:
- L-glutamic acid
- L-cysteine
- L-glycine
It has powerful antioxidant action, and remarkable immunostimulating effects. More so, glutathione accelerates the planned death of cancer cells before they have time to mutate or multiply. Due to its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, glutathione can even remove toxins and heavy metals from the brain.
Certain chronic illnesses such as liver and gallbladder cirrhosis, as well as the ability to overcome sickness and heal, have been correlated with low levels of glutathione. In other words, the more toxified the body, the lower the glutathione levels and vice versa.
Glutathione Uses
There are very diverse glutathione uses, but some of the most important things that glutathione does for us are:
- protects the body from oxidative stress
- protects against bacterial and viral infections
- supports and balances the immune system
- prolongs the activity of antioxidants (vitamin C, vitamin E, and alpha-lipoic acid)
- can boost athletic performance and resistance
- protects against free radicals (the main cause of cancer, cellular, and DNA damage)
- can suppress potentially carcinogenic substances
- is a powerful heavy metals detox (mercury, lead, arsenic)
- can neutralize the side effects of pesticides
- may reduce negative effects of medical drugs (interferon, NSAIDs, non-steroidal acetaminophen, vaccines, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, etc)
- prevents DNA mutations in cells
Glutathione has much more health uses, making it one of the best go-to supplements for basically all health problems caused by increased body toxicity and stress (which are most chronic illnesses).
Glutathione Deficiency Symptoms
- heavy metals toxicity (all autoimmune conditions and mysterious undiagnosed symptoms)
- chronic liver and kidney problems
- progression of cancer
- getting sick easily – poor immunity
- slow/difficult recovery from disease
- aging more rapidly (grey hair, wrinkles, etc)
- high levels of stress/inability to overcome stress
- low stamina/physical endurance
Now that we know what glutathione is, what is used for, and what are the glutathione deficiency symptoms, let’s go straight to the highest natural sources of glutathione.
3 Highest Natural Sources of Glutathione
Glutathione is replenished naturally when the body has enough resources of L-glutamic acid, L-cysteine, and L-glycine, amino acids without which cells cannot restore glutathione. Here are the top natural sources of glutathione.
1. Schizandra
Schizandra was shown to facilitate the regeneration of glutathione in the liver by increasing catalase activity and the glutathione redox status. These berries contain both glutathione peroxidase and gomisin-A, which have amazing detox and repair functions for the liver and kidneys.
In addition, Schizandra protects the hepatocyte membrane, reduces transaminases, and maintains the level of glutathione in the liver, thus supporting liver detoxification. Schizandra berries and extracts are recommended in cirrhosis, viral and alcoholic hepatitis, jaundice, and liver carcinoma. Two capsules of schizandra twice a day with meals is the recommended dose for an adult. This simple berry is one of the top natural sources of glutathione.
2. Seaweed
Seaweed is loaded with chlorophyll, mucilages, minerals, trace elements (iodine, magnesium, potassium, calcium, iron, manganese, phosphorus, sulfur, copper, nickel, cobalt, rubidium, silicon), enzymes, and vitamins A, B, C, D1, D2, E, F, K, and PP. But even more important, they contain valuable amino acids such as glutamic acid and cysteine, which help the body synthesize glutathione. A study on rats showed that seaweed supplementation combined with exercise training notably increased the glutathione content.
Due to its glutathione content, seaweed promotes metabolic exchanges, tones the endocrine glands, strengthens immunity, and prevents and fights against rheumatism, gout, and blood circulation problems amongst others. Indeed, seaweed is one of the highest natural sources of glutathione. The seaweed that we recommend as natural sources of glutathione are:
- spirulina
- nori
- konbu (edible kelp)
- wakame
- sea spaghetti
- dulse
3. Milk Thistle
(Silybium marianum)
Milk thistle is one of the best, if not the best natural remedies for most liver problems because it helps detoxify the liver from toxic waste and pathogens, similar to glutathione. But what’s more interesting is that supplementing with milk thistle is a natural way to boost glutathione, as this study confirms. The reason is that silymarin, a powerful antioxidant in milk thistle can modulate glutathione metabolizing enzymes, thus increasing cellular glutathione concentration.
Another study showed that silybin (the major active constituent of silymarin) together with vitamin C reversed glutathione reduction due to alcohol exposure. Thus, supplementing with milk thistle and organic vitamin C is even better in boosting glutathione levels.
Glutathione Sources in Diet
In addition to the natural sources of glutathione, one of the best ways to supplement with glutathione is from food sources. Here are the top glutathione foods:
- fresh raw fruits and vegetables – or frozen
- schizandra berries
- raw cauliflower – is a natural source of glutathione transferase and glucuronosyl transferase, with amazing body detox properties – an amazing anticancer vegetable
- cruciferous vegetables – in addition to cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, and Brussel sprouts contain high levels of organic sulfur that helps boost glutathione through enzyme activation
- turmeric (curcumin)
- asparagus
- avocado
- spinach
- garlic
- okra
- seaweed
- mushrooms
- raw honey
Interestingly, most of these glutathione-rich foods are also foods that help repair DNA damage. Instead, avoid refined foods, sugar, dairy, GMO foods (corn, soy, canola oil), including modified corn starch, processed meats, pastry, frozen junk food, and alcohol. These foods are very rich in toxic chemicals that build up in the body and create disease. They contain little to no minerals and vitamins, but even worse, pressure the body to spend large quantities of minerals and vitamins for their metabolization.
Read Also: 9 Foods That Repair DNA Damage
How to Increase Glutathione Naturally
Supplementing with selenium and zinc is another way to increase glutathione naturally because these two oligo-elements intervene in the synthesis of both glutathione-peroxidase and superoxide-dismutase (SOD). Selenium is even a componing element of the glutathione enzyme.
Selenium and zinc have almost completely disappeared from our foods due to intensive cultivation, the use of fertilizers, pesticides, and highly processed agricultural products. In addition, after 40 years of age, the body’s production of glutathione decreases, thus healthy cells are killed faster than they can reproduce. The reverse of this degenerative process can be ensured by supplementing with organic selenium, and zinc.
Natural sources of selenium are bee pollen, whole grains, garlic, brewer’s yeast, onions, parsley, broccoli, ginseng, Brazil nuts, seaweed, spirulina, seafood, molasses, sunflower seeds, and tuna. Natural sources of zinc are whole grains, seaweed, beans, veggies, leafy greens, fruits, and raw honey. To boost the beneficial effects of glutathione, get enough sleep and exercise.
The Supplements That Boost Glutathione Naturally
In addition to selenium and zinc, n-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is a natural compound derived from the amino acid l-cysteine, that helps synthesize glutathione in the body, as it is an intermediate molecule between cysteine and glutathione. Last but not least, studies show that organic vitamin C increase glutathione in human lymphocytes. We recommend that you look into the highest natural sources of vitamin C. Thus, the four key supplements that boost glutathione naturally are:
- selenium
- zinc
- NAC (n-acetyl cysteine) or L-cysteine
- organic vitamin C
You can find all these natural supplements that boost glutathione production online.
Why Supplement with Glutathione?
Glutathione is one of the most powerful antioxidants in the human body. When we have enough of it, from the foods that we eat or from supplements, we minimize our chances of developing chronic, degenerative, or so-called auto-immune conditions, because most untreatable modern diseases are caused by high body toxicity coupled with stress. Glutathione is a powerful detox that cleanses every cell of the body from heavy metals, pathogens, and other toxic debris. This is why glutathione is a great supplement for most degenerative and chronic conditions.
Read Also 👉 9 Best Natural Sources of Quercetin
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