This substance is extremely important for the brain

Glutathione is a very effective antioxidant the body is making to protect us from free radical damage.

The brain is especially vulnerable to oxidative stress since it is using a lot of oxygen.

In this study the researchers investigated the glutathione levels of patients with Alzheimer’s disease, mild cognitive impairment and comparing it a control group. (Mandal PK, et al., 2015).

The glutathione levels were significantly decreased in the Alzheimer’s group compared to the healthy older-age control group. Glutathione levels were also found to be decreased in the frontal cortex of patients with Alzheimer’s disease, and the glutathione reductions were correlated with the decline in cognitive functions.

Glutathione levels also clearly differentiated between mild cognitive decline and the healthy controls.

The researchers concluded that the present study provided compelling evidence that estimation of glutathione levels in specific brain regions with magnetic resonance spectroscopy constitutes a relevant biomarker for mild cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease.

Brain glutathione level decreases with age in humans, and a loss of glutathione can impact cognitive function (Currais A, Maher P. 2013).

Regular reduced glutathione is not very effective. S-Acetyl Glutathione on the other hand gets into the cells where it is needed, so use that instead.

References:

Currais A, Maher P. Functional consequences of age-dependent changes in glutathione status in the brain.Antioxid Redox Signal. 2013 Sep 10;19(8):813-22.

Mandal PK, Saharan S, Tripathi M, Murari G. Brain glutathione levels--a novel biomarker for mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease.Biol Psychiatry. 2015 Nov 15;78(10):702-10

 

Glutathione is your primary defense against aging.

As we get older, our cells begin to lose their ability to repair themselves. We make less glutathione, and we actually need more. In certain conditions, younger people may need more glutathione as well.