Glutathione - Life-Extending “Master Antioxidant”

Glutathione (GSH) is a tripeptide molecule composed of glutamic acid, cysteine and glycine. It is one of the main nonprotein antioxidants in the cell, and has been referred to as the body’s “master antioxidant.”Glutathione is present in nearly all living cells, and without it they can’t survive. The major functions of Glutathione in the body include protecting cells against the destructive effects of free radicals; detoxifying external substances such as drugs, environmental pollutants and carcinogens; maintaining cell membrane stability; regulating protein and DNA biosynthesis and cell growth; enhancing immunologic function through its influence on lymphocytes; prostaglandin synthesis; and amino acid transport.Clearly, with such widespread functions, Glutathione has major effects on health at the molecular, cellular and organ levels.1,2 Glutathione and its related enzymes Glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and Glutathione reductase (GR), constitute what is known as the “Glutathione system” (Fig. 1).3


Mitochondrial Glutathione is critical to the healthy cell, and is probably the most important antioxidants defense system within the mitochondria. Age-related alterations in these enzymes can have a profound adverse effect on health, as this article will explain By Ward Dean, MD