Category Archives: Antioxidants

Alpha-Lipoic Acid

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Alpha-lipoic acid, (also called R-alpha-lipoic acid), is an important component in mitochondria: it can be synthesized by the human body. Alpha-lipoic acid is known primarily as an antioxidant, but it also acts as a coenzyme and regenerates important vital substances such as the coenzyme Q10, glutathione, vitamin E and vitamin C. Alpha-lipoic acid can also be used for detoxification purposes, especially for mercury compounds. Due to its fat- and water-solubility, and in contrast to conventional chelating agents, alpha-lipoic acid is bioavailable in all body tissues.
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S-Acetyl Glutathione

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The bioavailability of orally supplied glutathione (γ-Glutamylcysteinylglycine) could be proved.
Bioavailability Glutathione
The acetylating of vital nutrients may be a method to improve the bioavailability and stability of the substance.

I am critical about the administration of S-acetyl-glutathione or S-acetyl-L-glutathione because as far as I know there are no studies available which have examined the effects of this substance closely. A large number of studies exist about the proven efficacy of reduced glutahtione GSH. The acetylation may indeed increase the bioavailability, but also changes the molecule.
In any case, an influence of the body’s glutathione production (downregulation) due to oral administration of glutathione is not to be expected, since the production of glutathione depends on the presence of sulfur-containing amino acids and not on the glutathione level.

Bioavailability of Glutathione

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The bioavailability of orally administered glutathione could be verified in some studies. Most likely a part of the absorbed tripeptide glutathione is broken down by stomach acid into the individual amino acids. However, studies have verified that after oral supplementation of GSH (reduced glutathione) the blood levels of glutathione increase. (Refer to article: GSH blood levels increase after oral intake). After oral GSH application, blood levels increased, but only by GSH administration and not by intake of single amino acids components. This is an argument against the thesis explaining the increase in the blood concentration of glutathione only by the individual amino acids, which the body again must synthesize to glutathione. Glutathione may also be absorbed already in the mouth. See also article: Glutathione Absorption in the Gastrointestinal Tract

Thus, the oral ingestion of glutathione is advisable.

For the application of S-acetyl glutathione refer to S-Acetyl Glutathione versus GSH

Glutathione May Regenerate Vitamin E and Vitamin C

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Copyright © Dr. med. Alexander Michalzik

Without the “Antioxidant Network” the body cannot survive. Many diseases that occur more frequently in old age, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, eye and skin diseases, tumors, etc. are the result of oxidation processes of body tissues. Here L-glutathione (GSH) in its reduced form has a key position.
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