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Reduced glutathione (GSH) is the most powerful antioxidant agent in all living organisms. Chronic oxidative stress, some pathologies and aging process can reduce GSH level in the organism. Restoring GSH level is a good tool to deal with the above states but direct oral supplementation with GSH is not very efficient because of its poor absorption and because of its hydrolytic degradation in the digestive system. EMOTHION® – manufactured by Gnosis – and available at Dr Craige Golding’s medical practice and through Your Wellbeing (www.yourwellbeing.co.za) is a clinically studied and patented new orally stable and crystalline form of S-Acetyl-Glutathione, with enhanced bioavailability and fast action.
EMOTHION® has opened up new possibilities to boost glutathione levels in humans for improved wellness and health throughout all stages of life.
Oxidative reactions yield high-energy compounds that fuel various biochemical, biophysical, and mechanical functions of aerobic organisms. These reactions are a continuous persistent source of potentially cytotoxic Reactive Oxygen Species(ROS). Under physiological conditions, ROS produced in the course of normal metabolism are fully inactivated by an elaborate cellular and extracellular antioxidant defence system. Reduced glutathione (GSH of L-Glutathione) is the most abundant endogenous antioxidant produced by the human body on a cellular level. GSH minimizes oxidative stress and the downstream of negative effects associated with oxidative stress. GSH is a critical regulator of oxidative stress and immune function. It protects the brain and acts as a free radical scavenger and inhibitor of lipid peroxidation. Its deficiency and depletion are one of the primary factors causing cellular aging and reduction of life expectancy.
Cellular GSH concentrations are reduced markedly in response to protein malnutrition, oxidative stress, and many pathological conditions. What depletes GSH levels in our bodies can be pointed out into two causes: internal and external factors.
Internal factors include the increasing need for glutathione as an important part of various processes in our bodies, such as food for our immune system, recycling of vitamin C, vitamin E and alpha lipoic acid, repairing our DNA, and protecting our cells from oxidative stress, etc. External factors are those which deplete glutathione at most. Many toxic and harmful substances we are exposed to on a daily basis require considerable amounts of glutathione in order to be eliminated through the detoxification process.
Low GSH levels have been reported in liver, kidney, heart and blood of aging mice and are suggested to be responsible for worsening the aging process. Several studies showed that plasma GSH levels decrease with age. This deterioration of GSH homeostasis is in conjunction with other physiological events, in the ageing process and the appearance of age-related diseases.
It has been demonstrated that GSH is poorly absorbed by oral route. Systemic bioavailability of orally consumed glutathione is low because the molecule, a tripeptide, is the substrate of proteolytic enzymes (peptidases – glutamyl transpeptidase – GGT) of the alimentary canal, and because of the absence of a specific carrier of glutathione at the cell membrane site.
The use of glutathione as a nutritional supplement is limited by its unfavorable biochemical and pharmacokinetic properties: It is not directly taken up by cells. It needs to be broken down into amino acids and re-synthesized into GSH. The re-synthesis process is often impaired during diseases status.
EMOTHION® is the crystalline form of S-Acetyl Glutathione, the cutting-edge alternative developed to overcome the poor effectiveness of GSH supplementation, due to its poor absorption and its hydrolytic degradation in the body. EMOTHION® has more rapid dissolution rate and, therefore, is orally well absorbed. Once internalised into the cells, EMOTHION® increases GSH level more efficiently than normal GSH. EMOTHION® is a precursor of glutathione and works as GSH-replenishment agent.
EMOTHION® is the active form of GSH S-Acetyl Glutathione. Its crystalline form optimizes the absorption of S-Acetyl Glutathione, a molecule that exists in several polymorphic forms which can have different physicochemical characteristics that influence its dissolution rate, solubility and therefore oral bioavailabilty.
The scientific rational for effective GSH supplementation is still a debate and controversial studies have been published. Current data on long-term treatments seem to support the efficacy of oral administration, with an increased availability of GSH in cellular districts, but only after some months from the onset of treatment. However, the increased GSH levels is dose and time dependent. The intestinal enzymatic degradation which the GSH is subjected to, leads to its poor absorption and a low bioavailability and requires a very long oral GSH supplementation in order to appreciate a possible increase of its levels. EMOTHION®, on the contrary, directly increases the levels of GSH in the body. This product has been consistently tested versus qualified commercial GSH, both in pre-clinical and clinical trials.
Current data on long-term treatments seem to support the efficacy of oral administration, with an increased availability of GSH in cellular districts, but only after some months from the onset of treatment. However, the increased GSH levels is dose and time dependent. The intestinal enzymatic degradation which the GSH is subjected to, leads to its poor absorption and a low bioavailability and requires a very long oral GSH supplementation in order to appreciate a possible increase of its levels. EMOTHION® raises glutathione levels better than the Commercial GSH Reference, after one administration only. EMOTHION® was not detected in the form of S-Acetyl GSH, either in plasma or in the cell fraction, confirming that it is soon quickly de-acetylated and converted in its active metabolite glutathione.
Cognitive Health : EMOTHION® may support cognitive health through the increase of GSH levels, the most prevalent antioxidant in the brain. The brain is particularly vulnerable to oxidative damage due to the high levels of unsaturated lipids, oxygen, redox metal ions, and relatively poor antioxidant systems. Increasing glutathione levels remains a promising therapeutic strategy to slow or prevent mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), where the oxidative stress has been associated with their onset and progression (19).
Anti-Aging : GSH is central and critical to all of the primary processes of cellular protection. Oral supplementation of EMOTHION® raises the level of GSH that naturally decreases with age, improving cellular health and function, helping to repair the damage caused by free radicals and their accumulation in the body cells (5, 14)
Anti-Inflammatory : EMOTHION® provides ready-to-use GSH that helps to fight inflammation at the source, where the inflammatory status occurs, helping to repair the oxidative damage and its progression. Low-grade and chronic inflammation is a highly significant risk factor for elderly people, as most if not all age-related diseases share an inflammatory pathogenesis (15).Skin Health By raising the GSH levels, EMOTHION® may improve quality, health and appearance of skin, the body’s first line of defence against exogenous injuries, such as oxidants, UV rays, toxins and infections. By topical and oral application the GSH released by EMOTHION® may minimize age spots and wrinkles of exposed skin. Glutathione is also known as whitening and skin-lightening (24).
Liver Health : EMOTHION® protects liver functions through the natural replenishing of GSH, the primary factor affecting liver activities and health. The liver contains the majority of the body’s glutathione, used to detoxify the body and to regulate immune function (17, 18).
Immune Function : EMOTHION® is useful to increase GSH levels proposed to increase the innate and the adaptive immunity as well as conferring protection against infections (16). Energy Production and Cellular Metabolism EMOTHION® provides free glutathione which can assist cellular metabolism through the prevention of anomalies and dysfunction of mitochondria, the organelle responsible for cellular energy production. Loss of function in mitochondria can result in the excess fatigue and other symptoms that are common in almost every chronic disease (20, 21). Athletic Performance and Recovery The GSH frees by EMOTHION® may benefit athletic performance, by controlling oxidative stress and free radical formation during exercise. Increased strength and endurance, decreased recovery time from injury, less pain and fatigue and an increase in muscle-promoting activities may be associated with the use of glutathione.
GSH improves the health and quality of mitochondria as it directly provides free glutathione which can assist cellular metabolism through the prevention of anomalies and dysfunction of mitochondria, the organelle responsible for cellular energy production. Loss of function in mitochondria can result in the excess fatigue and other symptoms that are common in almost every chronic disease (20, 21).
Athletic Performance and Recovery : The GSH frees by EMOTHION® may benefit athletic performance, by controlling oxidative stress and free radical formation during exercise. Increased strength and endurance, decreased recovery time from injury, less pain and fatigue and an increase in muscle-promoting activities may be associated with the use of glutathione.
References:
Watch Dr. Golding talk on Integrative and Anti-Aging Medicine.
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