GLUTATHIONE, N-ACETYL CYSTEINE (NAC): SUPPLEMENT SUGGESTIONS

Researchers aren’t asking whether we should try to raise our glutathione levels. We certainly should, because most of us, especially as we age, don’t have as much as we need for optimum health. The more difficult question is how best to raise the concentration of glutathione in our tissues. The nutrient is abundantly available from fresh fruit, vegetables and meats. In general, however, we don’t eat enough of the right foods to make an appreciable difference. The body also manufactures it from a handful of nutritional building blocks, namely the amino acids cysteine, glycine and glutamic acid, plus selenium and vitamins B2 and B6.

The trick is to use all these building blocks, because consuming more glutathione may not be the answer. Scientists disagree whether or not glutathione-rich foods and glutathione supplements actually elevate the level found in blood. Some test results failed to show any impact from doses as high as 3 grams while other research concludes that the body does absorb the antioxidant. What accounts for the difference? Success, I’m all but convinced, hinges on the method of supplementation.

It’s quite possible glutathione capsules alone may be futile. The nutrient has a short shelf life and begins to lose its antiox-idant ability when exposed to air. That which remains active at the time we swallow it would be broken down by the digestive system into its individual proteins before it could be absorbed intact.

In light of these facts, I favour intravenous infusions of ‘reduced glutathione’, the nutrient’s active form. For the do-it- yourself nutritionist, however, the most practical and reliable way to obtain the antioxidant is through supplements of its building blocks. This is the formula I currently favour. Let me give an example of how I would treat an adult who is at high risk for recurrent cancer, because I consider it an absolute mandate to provide the full spectrum of antioxidant nutrition for such people.

In addition to the ‘traditional’ antioxidants, natural carotenoids, selenium, tocopherols and tocotrienols, vitamin С and assorted flavonoids (pycnogenol, grape seeds, bilberry and turmeric are all glutathione boosters), I try to create an optimal blood level of glutathione. Even though I do prescribe 150 mg of reduced glutathione daily; I rely oh the following supportive nutrients: NAC 3,000 mg, lipoic acid 300 mg, selenium 300 meg (worth a second mention), riboflavin 100 mg, pyridoxine 200 mg and L-glutamine 3,000 mg.

The dosage is usually divided into three equal portions and taken near meals. For those with less urgent conditions, the dosage is scaled down to one-third or one-half; in treating advancing cancer I would be inclined to double these doses.