Antioxidants & Living Longer!

There is evidence that adaptations from exercise can strengthen the body’s antioxidant defences particularly glutathione- Glutathione is a substance, the levels of which in our cells are predictive of how long we will live. There are very few factors which are as predictive of our life expectancy as is our level of cellular glutathione. Glutathione has been referred to as the “master oxidant.” It regulates the actions of lesser antioxidants such as vitamin C, and vitamin E. No other antioxidant is as important to overall health as Glutathione.

It is the regulator and regenerator of immune cells and the most valuable detoxifying agent in the human body. Low levels are associated with hepatic dysfunction, immune dysfunction, cardiac disease, premature aging, and death. Glutathione (L-gammaglutamyl-L-cysteinylglycine) is a tri-peptide of the amino acids cysteine, glycine, and glutamic acid. Glutathione is an antioxidant compound found in living animal and plant tissue, which is formed in our body and found in bile, epithelial lining of lungs, highest concentration in the liver, making it important in the elimination of free radicals. It takes up and gives off hydrogen and is important in cellular respiration. A deficiency of glutathione can cause hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells, leading to anemia) and oxidative stress. Glutathione participates directly in the neutralization of free radicals, reactive oxygen compounds, and maintains exogenous antioxidants such as vitamins C and E in their reduced (active) forms. In addition, through direct conjugation, glutathione plays a role in the detoxification of many xenobiotics (foreign compounds) both organic and inorganic.

In relation to exercise, Glutathione levels rise (as an antioxidant) and it has been found people who regularly exercise have lower incidence of heart disease and cancer.