Glutathione

Glutathione (TSH) is a tripeptide consisting of the three amino acids cysteine, glycine and glutamic acid. Glutathione is considered to be one of the most important antioxidants in the human body.

What is Glutathione?

Glutathione is also called γ-L-glutamyl-L-cysteinylglycine designated. It is a sulfur-containing tripeptide, so it belongs to the group of proteins.

From a chemical point of view, glutathione is not a regular tripeptide, since glutamic acid and cysteine ​​are linked via the γ-carboxyl group of glutamic acid. In the case of a true tripeptide, the bond would be formed through the α-carboxyl group. Glutathione occurs in the body as active, reduced glutathione and as oxidized glutathione. Glutathione mainly serves as a cysteine ​​reserve and as a redox buffer.

Function, effect & tasks

Glutathione is an emergency reserve for cysteine. Cysteine ​​is an amino acid that can normally be formed in the liver in adults. It plays an important role in protein synthesis, i.e. in the production of proteins.

The body produces larger amounts of cysteine ​​itself, but since the amino acid is constantly and irrevocably lost through oxidation, deficiencies can arise. In this case, glutathione can be converted into cysteine. About three grams of cysteine ​​in the form of glutathione circulate in the blood. This supply lasts for three days. Glutathione can also be used for taurine synthesis. Taurine plays a role in the production of bile acids and influences the transmission of signals in the central nervous system. Taurine deficiency leads to immunodeficiency and disorders in the immune system.

Another important task of glutathione is to protect proteins and membrane lipids from so-called free radicals. Free radicals arise in numerous metabolic processes that take place with the consumption of oxygen. External factors such as stress, ozone, UV radiation, food additives and numerous chemicals also create free radicals in the body.

The short-lived molecules can damage the DNA and RNA of cells, proteins and fats. Free radicals play a role in the aging process and in the development of many diseases such as cancer, arteriosclerosis, diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer's. To protect the cells from free radicals, glutathione is oxidized. In addition, glutathione helps the liver to excrete harmful substances and toxins.

Glutathione, among other things, is required for every harmful molecule to be excreted. It weakens the harmful effects of X-rays and chemotherapy. Glutathione can also reduce the effects of tobacco smoke and alcohol. Glutathione is also used for detoxification in the event of intoxication with heavy metals such as lead, cadmium or mercury. The tripeptide also ensures the physiological process of cell division, cell differentiation and cell metabolism and, in the best case, prevents degeneration. Glutathione also takes on tasks in the immune system. It is involved in the formation of so-called leukotrienes. These control the white blood cells. Glutathione thus also serves to strengthen the immune system.

Education, occurrence, properties & optimal values

In fact, almost all cells in the body are able to produce glutathione. The liver is the main place of production. Cysteine, glycine and glutamic acid, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and magnesium ions are required for formation.

Glutathione is also found in foods, especially fruit and vegetables. Watermelons, asparagus, oranges, broccoli, zucchini, spinach and potatoes have a high content of glutathione. Foods that contain limonene are beneficial for the synthesis of an enzyme that contains glutathione. Limonene can be found in celery, fennel, soy or wheat. As a rule, the need for glutathione is covered by a balanced diet, provided it contains sufficient cysteine, glutamic acid, magnesium and selenium.

Glutathione occurs in two forms in the body. On the one hand it is available as active, reduced glutathione and on the other hand as oxidized glutathione. In a healthy person, the ratio of active to oxidized glutathione is 400: 1. The active glutathione is the most effective form. Only in this form is the tripeptide able to render free radicals harmless.

Diseases & Disorders

Normally the body is able to produce enough glutathione. However, the need is also quite great.

Air and water pollution, prescription drugs, injuries, burns, trauma, heavy metal poisoning, radioactive radiation, car exhaust fumes, chemical cleaning agents and all processes that generate free radicals in the body ensure an increased breakdown of glutathione and thus possibly a glutathione deficiency. Actually, it is not a general lack of glutathione, but rather a lack of reduced active glutathione. To compensate for damage and fight off the free radicals, the body uses up the active form.

The enzyme glutathione reductase actually regenerates the oxidized form and brings it back into the active form. However, if the body's exposure to toxins, pollutants and free radicals is too great, the enzyme can no longer fully fulfill its task and more and more oxidized glutathione remains. The healthy ratio of 400: 1 is no longer guaranteed. Under these circumstances, the glutathione redox system can no longer function properly. The function of the antioxidant defense is also severely impaired.

One consequence of this is that the mitochondria in the cells can no longer produce sufficient adenosine triphosphate. ATP is the most important energy store and supplier of energy in the metabolism and is required for all metabolic processes. Without sufficient ATP there is an energy deficit. Chronic fatigue is the result. The glutathione level is lowered in many diseases. In biological cancer therapy in particular, glutathione is therefore increasingly being prescribed as an adjuvant to chemotherapy and radiation.