Found in living plant and animal tissue, the antioxidant glutathione is a powerful substance that may help slow the aging process and fight disease. Antioxidants work by attacking and neutralizing free radicals—damaging compounds formed by various body functions or taken in from the environment.
Free radicals cause harmful chemical reactions that can damage cells, making it harder to fight off infections and lowering defenses against conditions such as cancer and heart disease. In fact, free radical damage may be the basis for the aging process.
According to Dr. Jörg Schulz and colleagues, “there is significant evidence that the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Friedreich’s ataxia, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, may involve the generation of [free radicals].” As you may or may not know, Friedreich’s ataxia is the progressive dysfunction of the cerebellum, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves, while amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a fatal neurological condition that attacks the nerve cells (neurons) responsible for controlling voluntary muscles.
Researchers conclude that “if alterations in glutathione metabolism play an important role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, treatments that lead to enhanced synthesis of glutathione or that inhibit its degradation may result in a slowing of disease progression.”
However, since glutathione cannot be directly transported into brain tissue, intravenous infusion is the best option. In addition, glutathione precursors such as N-acetylcysteine and alpha-lipoic acid are necessary to ensure adequate glutathione levels and proper neuroprotection.
Eur J Biochem 2000;267(16):4904-11.