New findings on the role of glutathione in cancer

Cancer cells and normal cells are known to respond differently to nutrients and drugs that affect the State of glutathione.

Numerous studies have shown that the tumor cells have elevated levels of glutathione, which confers resistance to chemotherapy drugs.

One of the challenges of cancer treatment is how exhausted glutathione, tumour cells in order to make them more vulnerable to the effects of chemotherapy drugs while at the same time allowing normal cells to relatively are unaffected by chemotherapy drugs.

A number of new discoveries that take into consideration the role of glutathione in ways that promote programmed cell death (apoptosis) in cancer cells have been.

A German study reported Glutathione (GSH) plays a key role in the cell mechanisms that result in cell death.The study found that apoptosis-resistant cancer cells had higher levels of GSH intracellular.

Depletion of glutathione in these tumor cells makes them more vulnerable to the effects of drugs against cancer gene that promotes apoptosis (CD95 or APO-1/FAS). The researchers concluded that the resistance of apoptosis in tumor cells depends at least in part, intracellular GSH levels.(1)

Another study conducted in Spain, the researchers found that it lowers the concentration of the GSH may be appropriate not only for the effectiveness of chemotherapy, but also lead a fairly quick mechanism and direct apoptosis in tumor cells.(2)

On the premise that expresses the enzyme glutathione-S-transferase in high levels in many tumors, Fox Chase Cancer Center in Pennsylvania, researchers went on to design a novel prodrug (PABA/NO).

Glutathione-s-transferase in tumor cells turns lethal PABA/NO nitric, resulting in the death cell tumor oxide.The prodrug has shown anti-tumor effects in animal model for human ovarian cancer.(3)

The fourth study, Polish researchers found that ingestion of selenium supplementation is beneficial, as an element of support in chemotherapy.(4)

Selenium is a cofactor of the enzyme Glutathione peroxidase GSH-P (x) and was found to greatly increase the activity of GSH-P (x) in patients receiving the supplement.

Previous clinical study by the same investigators recommended selenium in ovarian cancer patients undergoing multidrug chemotherapy.(5)

Another interesting study by researchers at Texas showed that your chances of surviving a type of brain cancer, called primary malignant glioma, could depend on the type of glutathione-s-transferase (GST) gene who were born with.

You have a combination of a two specific variants of GST (germline GSTP1 * A / * A and GSTM1 null genotype) grant an advantage of survival in certain types of brain cancers but also comes with an increased risk of adverse events associated with chemotherapy. (6)

There is compelling evidence to suggest a crucial role for glutathione and Glutathione target in the prevention and treatment of cancer metabolism substances.

Undenatured whey protein is a natural foods that are known to selectively deplete your glutathione, cancer cells making them more susceptible to such cancer radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatments.

For a report full on investigations into whey Undenatured protein and cancer see report Glutathione (GSH) and protein of Sera in cancer.

The facts about glutathione and Parkinson's disease

Parkinson disease (PD), a devastating disease occurs in one out of 100 people over age 65.

It is a slowly progressive disease of the nervous system that causes progressive destruction of the cells (neurons) brain in an area of the brain called the substance negra.La death usually occurs as a result of secondary complications such as infection.

One of the mechanisms known to destroy nerve cells is the damage caused by free radicals or reactive species oxygen - destructive molecules produced by the oxidation of the neurotransmitter dopamine.

The role of dopamine

SUBSTANTIA cells use dopamine - a chemical Messenger between brain and nerve cells - to communicate with cells in other region of the brain called the striated.

When nigral cells are lost, dopamine fall nigral, resulting in a decrease of striatal dopamine levels.

Typical symptoms of PD - deficiencies of motor function characterized by muscle rigidity, jerky, rhythmic movements of sleep - tremors are the result of low levels of striatal dopamine.

Most of dopaminergic, which are used to treat the PD, drugs are aimed to temporarily replacement or imitating dopamine.Improve some symptoms, but does not restore the normal function of the brain, or stop the destruction of brain cells.

Dopaminergic drugs are generally effective in the first place to reduce many of the symptoms of PD, but eventually lose its effect.

Also cause serious side effects because overstimulate the nerve cells elsewhere in the body and cause confusion, hallucinations, nausea and fluctuations in the movement of limbs.

The role of antioxidants

When dopaminergic neurons are lost in the course of Parkinson's disease, increases the metabolism of dopamine - which in turn increases the formation of highly neurotoxic hydroxyl radicals.

Radical scavenging free more important in the cells of the black substance is powerful antioxidant brain, glutathione levels of glutathione in PD patients are low.

And as it ages, lowers levels of glutathione in substantia dopaminergic neurons.This seems to accelerate cell death and advance the progression of the PD.

At least 80 percent of substantia cells are lost before the symptoms of Parkinson's disease become aparente.Por that, it is essential to protect or maintain these cells under oxidative stress.

How to help the glutathione in Parkinson's disease?

Several factors explain why the glutathione is so beneficial in Parkinson's disease.

1. The glutathione increases the sensitivity of the brain to dopamina.Por what although glutathione does not raise the levels of dopamine, allows dopamine in the brain to be more effective.

2 Powerful antioxidant activity of glutathione protects brain damage from free radicals.

3. An even more intriguing glutathione benefit lies in its ability of powerful detoxification.

Its a well known fact that most Parkinson's patients are deficient in its ability to detoxify the chemicals they are exposed.

The unfortunate few hosting a hereditary defect in their process of detoxification risk a much greater brain damaging effects of a wide range of toxins.

Glutathione is one of the most important of the h?gado.La detoxification system components glutathione therapy is one of the most effective techniques to improve liver and brain detoxification.

Glutathione treatment significantly improved including difficulties with stiffness Parkinson's symptoms, walking, movement, coordination, and the discurso.Se has noted a marked reduction of tremor, as well as a decrease in depression.

Glutathione and N-n - acetyl-L-cysteine (a precursor to glutathione) have proved to be very effective in protecting nerves in substantia destroyed by oxidative stress.

Therapy of glutathione in Parkinson's disease

The practical problem in increasing levels of glutathione is taking glutathione itself as a supplement increases not cellular, glutathione levels since glutathione decomposes into the digestive tract soon reaches the cells.

However, glutathione intravenous therapy glutathione precursors and bearing are effective in increasing intracellular levels of glutathione.

Intravenous therapy of glutathione:

Glutathione intravenous injections have shown amazing fast results.

Dr. David Perlmutter, a pioneer in this therapy, has developed a protocol used in Perlmutter Health Centre for administering intravenous glutathione for Parkinson's patients.

In the wake of even a single dose of intravenous glutathione - often in just 15 minutes - the ability to walk, turn around and move his arms is almost completely restored.

Glutathione precursor:

Dietary antioxidants and supplements that increase cellular glutathione, such as NAC, alpha lipoic acid pycnogenol grass silymarin (milk thistle), are effective to restore normal function.

N-n - acetyl-cysteine (NAC) and a-denatured, whey protein offers both classic, increase production of glutathione and help the Detox body glutathione precursors.

Other nutritional supplements help detoxification process including selenium, vitamin E and c

Sources of food Boost glutathione Naturally

Glutathione levels not can grow to a clinically beneficial point by oral ingestion of a single dose of glutathione.(1) This is because it is manufactured glutathione inside of the cell, its forerunner, glycine, glutamate, cystine amino acids.

Thus sources of food or supplements that increase glutathione must provide glutathione precursors or improve production by some other means.

The manufacture of glutathione in cells is limited by the levels of its pioneering sulfur-containing amino acid, cysteine.

Cysteine - as free amino - acid is potentially toxic and spontaneously catabolized or destroyed in the gastrointestinal tract and plasma sangu?neo.Sin however, when it is present as a dipeptide cysteine-cysteine, cystine called, is more stable than cysteine.

Consuming foods rich in sulfur-containing amino acids can help boost glutathione levels.Here are some sources of food and dietary supplements to help increase glutathione levels naturally.

N-N - acetyl-cysteine (NAC)

Deriving the amino acid L-cysteine and acts as a precursor to glutathione. NAC is quickly metabolized in glutathione, once enters the cuerpo.Se has shown on numerous scientific studies and clinical trials to promote intracellular glutathione production and is approved by the FDA for the treatment of overdose of accetaminophen. Due to the mucolytic action of glutathione, NAC (Mucomyst brand name) is commonly used in the treatment of lung disease such as cystic fibrosis, bronchitis and asthma.

Silymarin milk thistle

Thistle dairy is a powerful antioxidant and supports the liver to prevent the depletion of glutathione. Silymarin is the active compound of thistle milkman. It is a natural detoxifier liver and protects the liver from many common industry such as carbon tetrachloride and agents toxins such as alcohol.

Alpha Lipoic Acid

Naturally made in the cells of the body as a by-product of energy release, ALA increases levels of glutathione stability, and is a natural antioxidant with free radical scavenging abilities.It has the ability to regenerate oxidized antioxidants such as vitamin C and E and helps to make them more potentes.ALA is also known for its ability to increase the absorption of glucose and may help prevent damage cellular that accompanies the diabetes.También complications has a protective effect on the brain.

Natural foods that increase glutathione levels

Asparagus is a leading source of glutathione. food such as avocado, spinach and Broccoli (2) are also known to increase levels of glutathione. raw eggs, garlic and beef processed fresh contains high levels of sulfur-containing amino acids and helps it to maintain optimal glutathione levels.

Undenatured serum protein isolate

Whey protein contains proteins such as Alpha-lactalbumin, which is rich in amino acids that contain sulfur.Heating or pasteurisation destroys delicate disulfide bonds that give their bioactivity of these proteins.Undenatured whey protein is a product of not heated that he preserves bioactive amino acids as cystine.It has been shown in numerous scientific studies and clinical trials to optimize the levels of glutathione.

Curcumin (turmeric)

Treatment of the cells of the brain called astrocytes, with the spice of Indian curry, Curcumin (turmeric) was found to increase the expression of the glutathione S-transferase and protect nerve cells exposed to oxidant stress.(3)

Balloon Flower root

Found Changkil (CKS) saponins isolated from the roots of Chinese medicinal herbs, Platycodon grandiflorum a. DC (Campanulaceae), commonly called Balloon Flower Root "or" Jie Geng, to increase the content of intracellular Glutathione (GSH) and significantly reduce oxidative damage to the cells of the liver, minimize death and cell lipid peroxidation.(4)

Selenium

Selenium is a cofactor for the enzyme glutathione peroxidasa.Suplementos selenium have become popular as some studies suggest that they may play a role in decreasing the risk of certain cancers and on how the immune system and the role of gland tiroides.Sin however, too much selenium can cause some toxicity including gastrointestinal upset, brittle nails, hair loss and mild neurological damage.

Sources of food to Naturally Boost glutathione

Copyright © 2004 Priya ShahGlutathione, the body ' s master antioxidant and detoxifier, is one of the 14 "Superfoods" listed in SuperFoods Rx: Fourteen Foods That Will Change Your Life, co-authored by Dr Steven Pratt.Glutathione levels cannot be increased to a clinically beneficial extent by ingesting to single dose of glutathione orally.(1) This is because glutathione is manufactured inside the cell, from its precursor amino acids, glycine, glutamate and cystine.

Executive food sources or supplements that increase glutathione must either provide the precursors of glutathione, or enhance its production by some other means.

The manufacture of glutathione in cells is limited by the levels of its pioneering sulfur-containing amino acid, cysteine.Cysteine - as a free amino acid – is potentially toxic and is spontaneously catabolized or destroyed in the gastrointestinal tract and blood plasma. However, when it is present as a cysteine-cysteine dipeptide, called cystine, it is more stable than cysteine.Consuming foods rich in sulfur-containing amino acids can help boost glutathione levels. Here are some food sources and dietary supplements that help boost glutathione levels naturally.
N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC)

It is derived from the amino acid L-Cysteine, and acts as a precursor of glutathione. NAC is quickly metabolized into glutathione eleven it enters the body.It has been proven in numerous scientific studies and clinical trials, to boost intracellular production of glutathione, and is approved by the FDA for treatment of accetaminophen overdose.Because of glutathione ' s action, mucolytic NAC (brand name Mucomyst) is commonly used in the treatment of lung diseases like cystic fibrosis, bronchitis and asthma.

Milk Thistle, Silymarin

Milk thistle is a powerful antioxidant and supports the liver by preventing the depletion of glutathione.Silymarin is the active compound of milk thistle. It is a natural liver detoxifier and protects the liver from many industrial toxins such as carbon tetrachloride, and more common agents like alcohol.

Alpha Lipoic Acid

Made naturally in body cells as a by-product of energy release, ALA increases the levels of intra-cellular glutathione, and is to natural antioxidant with free radical scavenging abilities. It has the ability to regenerate oxidized antioxidants like Vitamin C and E and helps to make them more potent. ALA is also known for its ability to enhance glucose uptake and may help prevent the cellular damage accompanying the complications of diabetes.It also has a protective effect in the brain.

Natural Foods That Boost Glutathione Levels

Asparagus is a leading source of glutathione. Foods like broccoli (2), advocate and spinach are also known to boost glutathione levels.Raw eggs, garlic and fresh unprocessed meats contain high levels of sulfur-containing amino acids and help to maintain optimal glutathione levels.

Undenatured Whey Protein Isolate

W hey protein contains proteins like alpha-lactalbumin which is is rich in sulfur-containing amino acids. Heating or pasteurization destroys the delicate disulphide bonds that give these proteins their bioactivity. Undenatured whey protein is a non-heated product that preserves bioactive amino acids like cystine. It has been shown in numerous scientific studies and clinical trials to optimize glutathione levels.

Curcumin (Turmeric)

Treatment of brain cells called astrocytes, with the Indian curry spice, curcumin (turmeric) has been found to increase expression of the glutathione S - transferase and protect neurons exposed to oxidant stress.(3)

Balloon Flower Root

Changkil saponins (CKS) isolated from the roots of the Chinese herbal medicine, Platycodon grandiflorum a. DC (Campanulaceae), commonly called Balloon Flower Root or Jie Geng, have been found to increase intracellular glutathione (GSH) content and significantly reduces oxidative injury to liver cells, minimise cell death and lipid peroxidation.(4)

Selenium

Selenium is a co-factor for the enzyme glutathione peroxidase.Selenium supplements have become popular because some studies suggest they may play to role in decreasing the risk of certain cancers, and in how the immune system and the thyroid gland function.However, too much selenium can cause some toxic effects including gastrointestinal upset, titled nails, hair loss and mild nerve damage.

Disclaimer: The information here is not provided by medical professionals and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice.Nutritional supplements, while benign, can usually causes adverse reactions in some people.As with prescribed drugs, long-term effects from supplements are often unknown.Pregnant women and children should not take supplements except after consultation with their healthcare provider.Never exceed the recommended dosage on the container.If you notice adverse effects stop taking the supplement immediately and contact your healthcare provider. References:The systemic availability of oral glutathione.