Just finished reading several articles on new research (by a Dr. Timothy Guilford) that states that the antioxidant “Reduced Glutathione” is showing such benefits in preventing a cytokine storm.
Has anyone else heard of this antioxidant (new one for me). Is this just another scam or does it merit looking further into?
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Please tell us where to look for this info? What is reduced glutathione?
I think it’s also known as NAC.
N-Acetyl-Cysteine?
Glutathione - Wikipedia
Here’s some information, which may well be completed by a biochemist who can explain better than I ever could.
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Glutathione (GSH), whose IUPAC name is 2-amino-5-{[2-[(carboxymethyl)amino]−1-(mercaptomethyl)−2-oxoethyl]amino}−5-oxopentanoic acid, is ã-glutamylcysteinylglycine, a tripeptide. It contains an unusual peptide linkage between the amine group of cysteine and the carboxyl group of the glutamate side chain. Glutathione, an antioxidant, protects cells from toxins such as free radicals [1].
GSH is known as a cofactor in both conjugation reactions and reduction reactions, catalyzed by glutathione S-transferase enzymes in cytosol, microsomes, and mitochondria. However, it is capable of participating in non-enzymatic conjugation with some chemicals, as it is hypothesized to do to a significant extent with n-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI), the reactive cytochrome P450-reactive metabolite formed by acetaminophen, that becomes toxic when GSH is depleted by an overdose of acetaminophen. Glutathione in this capacity binds to NAPQI as a suicide substrate and in the process detoxifies it, taking the place of cellular protein thiol groups which would otherwise be toxically adducted; when all GSH has been spent, NAPQI begins to react with the cellular proteins, killing the cells in the process. The preferred medical treatment for an overdose of this nature, whose efficacy has been consistently supported in literature, is the administration (usually in atomized form) of N-acetylcysteine, which is used by cells to replace spent GSSG and allow a usable GSH pool.
The health food industry promotes glutathione as a very efficient antioxidant to be used against a whole range of diseases.[3] [4] [5]
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In short, NAC (N-acetyl-cysteine) helps in the metabolism processes of the various amino-acids in the liver and bile ducts. As an example, a neighbour who suffered a fulminant hepatitis was given, after allopathic emergency treatment which saved him, a course of NAC 600 mg per day to help his liver recover. Which it did, his liver functions having returned to normal very fast.
Liver/bile properties of NAC are actually a secondary effect. The primary effect of NAC is to make the bronchial secretions to become more liquid, with the result that expectoration (coughing) is easier. This is why many cough medicines contain it, you can also have it on its own in tablet or powder to dissolve form.
Whatever effect NAC would have on glutathione functions, it could well be useful to have some anyway for colds and flus - in addition to the secondary properties on the liver and bile functions.
In turn, being able to clear the lungs can help prevent secondary infections like pneumonia. There are over-the-counter expectorants widely available as well. I don’t know anything about the impact of H5N1 on the liver but the lung-fluid build-up is well documented.
I read it also counteracts the effects of alchohol poisoning. (hangovers) Could be useful in case of too much RWFK!!
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N-acetyl, L-cysteine, also market as MucoMyst, Mucosil and generic has been used as a nebulised muco-active drug since its’ approval in 1963. Its’ action on mucus, though debated over the decades, is thought to be the the breaking down of sulf-hydral bonds in the polysaccharide chains of mucus strands. If has a mild side effect, bronchospasm, which is obviated by the delivery of a bronchodilator like albuterol. MucoMyst exists in vast quantities in the US, even though we have occasional, (once a decade), shortages from manufacturers getting gigged by the FDA.
And, man does it stink ! :-) Think rotten eggs. I have given it many times for Tylenol overdose, and was very happy when it became an IV drug rather than an oral one. My European friends were surprised when I wash gushing about it, because it has always been an IV med there. Seems to work well for Tylenol OD, and less well as an expectorent in MHO
NAC seems to work well for flu. I took it when I had flu this winter. Recovery seemed to go much more smoothly than usual, and it does have mucus loosening effects as well. There is an abstract on medline mentioning a 50% reduced rate of flu, and greatly reduced symptoms amongst people who take it in anticipation of flu (vs. waiting to get ill). If bird flu starts to spread I’m going to start taking NAC immediately. It appears to directly protect against tissue damage, reducing cell death in the lungs, and also has some immune system enhancing effects.
You can buy NAC in pill form in just about any health food store.
http://www.columbia-stmarys.org/116951.cfm
Influenza In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 262 seniors, regular use of NAC at dose of 600 mg twice daily helped prevent the development of influenza-like illnesses.62 Over the 6-month study period, only 25% of participants taking NAC developed flu-like symptoms, as compared to 79% in the placebo group, a statistically significant difference.
Interestingly, blood tests suggested that NAC did not prevent influenza infection—about as many people showed antibodies indicating influenza infection in the NAC group as in the placebo group. Rather, the supplement seemed to reduce the rate at which influenza infection became severe enough to cause noticeable symptoms. Tests of immune function hinted that NAC functioned by increasing the strength of the immune response.
NAC looks real interesting per/ above reference.
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