The following is an
excerpt from the above HCV E-book
HEPATITIS C AND GLUTATHIONE
WHAT IS GLUTATHIONE?
Glutathione is a powerful
antioxidant that is produced in the liver. The largest store of glutathione
is found in the liver, where it detoxifies harmful compounds so that
they cab be excreted through the bile. Glutathione is considered useful to those with Hepatitis C Virus HCV as it supports the liver's ability to handle toxins. However, supplemental glutathione is
expensive and the
effectiveness of oral formulas is questionable. (3)
A better way to raise
glutathione levels is to supply the body with the raw materials it
uses to make this compound: cysteine, glutamic acid, and glycine.
The N-acetyl form of cysteine (N-acetylcysteine) is
considered particularly effective for this purpose.(3)
The goal is to raise "tissue
glutathione levels". Glutathione pays a critical role in the defense
against free-radical damage.
A deficiency of intracellular
glutathione has been identified in a number of clinical conditions
including cancer, alcohol-induced liver disease, and AIDS. (2) A patient
with hepatitis may want to ask their doctor if they are deficient
of glutathione or whether their form of hepatitis is identified as
having this deficiency.
Do glutathione
or N-acytlcysteine supplements elevate and maintain good tissue glutathione
levels?
Here is what Michael
T. Murray N.D. has written on the subject,
"Studies indicate that vitamin C can decrease cellular damage in patients
with hereditary glutathione deficiency and is more effective and less
expensive than N-acetylcysteine (NAC). Vitamin C may offer the benefits
attributed to NAC at only a slightly reduced cost. Over the past 5
to 10 years, the use of NAC and glutathione products as antioxidants
has become increasingly popular among nutritionally oriented physicians
and the public. Some biochemists believe that NAC acts as a precursor
for glutathione and that taking extra glutathione should raise tissue
glutathione levels. While supplementing the diet with high does of
NAC may be beneficial in cases of extreme oxidative stress (e.g.,
AIDs), it may be an unwise proactive in healthy individuals.
One study indicated ...
a dose of 1.2 grams per day... actually increased oxidative damage
by acting as a pro-oxidant. Intravenous glutathione shows some promise
in increasing intracellular glutathione concentrations; however, the
question of oral absorption remains in doubt. A daily dosage of 500
milligrams of vitamin C may be sufficient to elevate good tissue glutathione
levels.
Consumers and physicians...
may want to use vitamin c instead of higher priced 'super antioxidants'."
Some sources indicate that
Hepatitis C patients have a systemic depletion of glutathione,
especially in the liver and they believe this factor may be underlying
the resistance to interferon therapy. Thus it is believed by some
that supplements such as NAC and glutathione can be adjuvant or assisting
therapies to interferon.
Other alternative solutions/supplements
that have been reported to boost glutathione levels: Whey protein
isolate concentrate powder, garlic, berries, selenium, alpha lipoic acid, cysteine.
Many experts say that HCV
patients have "severely depressed" levels of glutathione. However, not all sources believe this is the case. Matthew Dolan sums it up,
" Whether of not HCV patients are consistently deficient in glutathione,
and therefore generally indicated for supplementation, is a question
that has yet to be satisfactorily answered."
Even though it is not clear
that HCV patients are consistently deficient, raising glutathione
levels seems that it would be a favorable objective considering the
benefits this substance is reported to have within the liver. It is
considered to be an intracellular damage limiting agent which plays
a major role in the detoxification process. It is speculated that
it also performs as in immunomodulator which activates killer lymphocytes
(important in the immune system).
This topic, obviously should
be discussed with your doctor. You would first want to determine whether
or not you fall into the category of glutathione deficiency. Then
you would want to discuss the available options for increasing your
glutathione levels.
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