When you choose to eat these scrumptious 11 foods that boost glutathione, you help detox your body and heal.
Rheumatoid arthritis patients have lower levels of glutathione than the general public. Foods that boost glutathione levels can help RA patients purge toxic substances from their body.
Glutathione plays a major role in inactivating toxic substances. How?
Your body “handcuffs” toxins to a glutathione chaperone through a process called conjugation. Several glutathione containing enzymes are involved.
Your body then excretes the toxin handcuffed to glutathione out of the body—usually via the kidneys and urine.
So you need a constant supply of glutathione.
Asparagus, avocados, raw goat milk and walnuts are rich sources of glutathione. Eating these raw foods that boost glutathione may help.
However, taking glutathione supplements orally did not boost glutathione levels in the blood.
Supplying the building blocks of Glutathione
Glutathione contains the following 3 amino acids linked together:
Glutamate—cysteine--glycine.
Cysteine is the scarcest of these 3 amino acids. So, by eating foods that are rich in cysteine, a sulphur-containing amino acid, you help boost your levels of glutathione.
Foods containing high levels of sulfur-containing amino acids include raw eggs, garlic, onions and fresh unprocessed meats.
Some foods, like raw goat whey are fairly high sources of glutathione and appear to be readily absorbed. (Just be careful of your source of raw goat milk.)
Unfortunately, glutathione supplements taken orally are very poorly absorbed and have not raised glutathione levels in the blood. So save your money.
In contrast, the glutathione precursor, N-acetyl-cystine provides sufficient sulphur containing amino acid (a duo or dimer of cysteine) to boost glutathione levels. NAC is readily absorbed and has helped AIDS patients boost their glutathione levels (DeRosa et al., 2000). I also take it because it helps me.
Foods that boost glutathione levels.
Several foods boost glutathione levels. For example, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower all contain cyanohydroxybutene which increases glutathione levels.
Avocados, peaches, and watermelon are also reported to raise glutathione levels.
A study of Air Force pilots in England after WWII revealed that bilberry jam improves night vision. Further studies indicate that bilberry extracts boost glutathione production and support higher glutathione levels in the eyes. Glutathione is an essential nutrient for optimal vision. Thus, bilberry preserves or jam is another food that boosts glutathione levels.
Several spices including cinnamon, cardamom and curcumin found in turmeric raise glutathione levels.
Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) promotes the synthesis of glutathione in the body. Food sources of ALA include spinach, broccoli, tomatoes, peas, Brussels sprouts, and rice bran.
Although Real Hellman's mayonnaise also lists 650 mg of ALA; this ALA refers to the essential omega-3 fatty acid, alpha linolenic acid. Alpha linolenic acid is essential for healthy bones but does not affect glutathione levels.
Selenium forms part of critical enzymes in detox pathways
Selenium is required for several glutathione-based enzymes during detoxification. That is, these enzymes link or “handcuff” the toxin with glutathione.
If you’re low in selenium, then your body can't produce optimal levels of detoxifying glutathione-based enzymes.
One of the richest sources of selenium is brazil nuts (from brazil). You can easily snack on 2-4 nuts daily to get your 150-200 mcg of selenium. Brazil nuts can be purchased from many health food stores.
Other sources of selenium are foods grown on selenium-rich soil, including other nuts, grains, meats, as well as most seafood.
Boosting glutathione levels provided me a much needed break from pain. My physician, Dr. Buttram, recommended an iv infusion of glutathione and vitamin C. The pain decreased dramatically.
I now include all of these foods that boost glutathione levels in my diet. I continue to feel better.
Eating these 11 foods that boost glutathione will likely help you purge your body of toxins and feel better each day.
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Disclaimer: The information on this website is a sharing of information and knowledge from the research and experience of Dr. Molnar-Kimber and her community. It is not intended to replace your one on one relationship with a qualified health care professional. It also is not intended to be medical advice. However, it is often observed that patients who take a major interest in their disease and learn as much as they can about their disease and potential treatments often improve faster than those who don’t. Dr. Molnar-Kimber encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your own research and discussions with your qualified health care professional.
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