Glutathione is a natural substance produced in liver. It is also found in fruits, vegetables and meats. It is made from three amino acids namely cysteine, glutamate and glycine. It has several functions in both animals and plants. Before looking at the different uses of glutathione let us first look at the various functions it has in both plants and animals.
Functions as an Antioxidant
It is an important anti-oxidant in plants, animals, fungi and some bacteria. As an endogenous anti-oxidant it participates directly in neutralizing free radicals and reactive oxygen compounds. It also maintains exogenous antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E in their reduced (active) forms. These free radicals are molecules that could damage the body's cells.
Metabolic and biochemical reactions
Glutathione is used in metabolic and biochemical reactions such as DNA synthesis and repair, enzyme activation, amino acid transport, and protein synthesis among others. Read more about this in the site at http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Glutathione.aspx. This shows the state of the glutathione system affects every system in the body especially the nervous system, immune system, gastrointestinal system and lungs.
Metabolism of Iron
Glutathione plays an important role in the metabolism of iron. Since iron is an important element in the body, using this Immunocal Platinum supplement will make you healthier by helping you assimilate it faster. Yeast cells which are depleted of glutathione or have toxic levels of it will show an intense iron starvation-like response and impairment of the activity of extra-mitochondrial ISC enzymes, followed by death.
Regulation of nitric oxide cycle
Regulation of nitric oxide cycle is very critical for life, if unregulated it can cause several problems.
Uses
Glutathione is a tripeptide made intracellularly from its constituent amino acids L-glutamate, L-cysteine and glycine. The sulfhydryl (thiol) group (SH) of cysteine is responsible for the biological activity of glutathione. Provision of this amino acid is the rate-limiting factor in glutathione synthesis by the cells since bioavailable cysteine is relatively rare in foodstuffs.
Immunocal® is a bovine whey protein isolate specially prepared so as to provide a rich source of bioavailable cysteine. Immunocal® can thus be viewed as a cysteine delivery system..Read Immunocal Platinum Reviews here.
It is used in treating weakened immune systems and in treating infertility.
It is used to protect against the harmful effects of radiation and chemotherapy by cancer patients.
It is given intravenously for preventing "tired blood" (anemia) in kidney patients undergoing hemodialysis.
It is inhaled to treat lung diseases.
It is also used in improving blood flow and decreasing clotting in people with atherosclerosis(hardening of the arteries)
Glutathione is also used in treating diabetes.
As you get older your glutathione supply decreases mainly because your body cannot create much. Other health complications such as cancer and HIV/AIDS can cause your glutathione levels to decrease.