Glutathione precursors: the most effective way of raising glutathione levels!

Feeding our body with the glutathione precursors is the easiest and most effective way of increasing our glutathione levels.

Taking oral glutathione just don't work. Glutathione is too big a molecule to enter the cells. Plus, it is broken down by stomach acids even before it reaches the cells.

The precursors of glutathione are the amino acids, glycine, glutamic acid, and cysteine. These amino acids make up the gluathione molecule.

Our own cells manufacture glutathione by using the glutathione precursors in different reactions. This is summarized by the following steps:

Step 1: GLUTAMATE + CYSTEINE + gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase

Step 2: Glutamylcysteine + GLYCINE + GSH synthetase

End Product: GLUTATHIONE

GLUTAMIC ACID is a non-essential protein that is found naturally in foods. Glutamate, on the other hand, is a salt of glutamic acid, formed by combining the acid (glutamic acid) and a base chemical. A popular example is monosodium glutamate or MSG.

GLYCINE, is also a non-essential protein. Our bodies have ample supplies of this amino acid. Its main function is as a precursor to proteins such as glutathione.

CYSTEINE, too, can be manufactured inside our bodies, provided we have enough methionine in our body. Methionine is an amino acid found in meat, dairy products and soya.

The problem with methionine is it is used by the body primarily to build protein. Only if there is extra methionine then it can be used to manufacture cysteine. Only then can this cysteine be used in manufacturing glutathione.

Unless we eat lots of raw eggs, meat, and soya beans every day, we have to supplement our diets with cysteine if we want to keep our glutathione levels high.

Cysteine, in itself, is potentially toxic to our body. However, when it is derived from cystine, which is composed of two cysteine molecules,it becomes harmless.

Cystine travels safely throgh the digestive tract and is promptly broken down into two cysteine molecules once it enters the cells.

A good and rich source of cysteine is n-acetyl-cysteine or NAC. It is generically available as a supplement and has been shown to effectively increase glutathione levels in the body.

It is important to check your glutathione supplements if it contains NAC since it is proven effective in glutathione production.

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