Glutathione: The Eye Healer Within If there is a universal nutritional factor for eye health, it is glutathione, a natural antioxidant produced within all living cells. Numerous studies link glutathione with the prevention of cataracts, glaucoma, retinal disease and diabetic blindness. Here is a sampling of the evidence concerning glutathione and eye health. GLUTATHIONE has been shown to detoxify the aqueous fluid of the inner eye and may help maintain adequate fluid outflow among glaucoma patients.1 GLUTATHIONE exists in unusually high concentrations in the lens and is essential to maintain its transparency.2 However, glutathione levels decline in the lens with advancing age; the decline is especially rapid prior to cataract formation.3 SULFUR is required to produce glutathione. Alpha-lipoic acid, a sulfur-bearing glutathione promoter, has been shown to be a potent anti-cataract agent in animal studies.4 Foods that increase glutathione levels include sulfur-rich foods such as garlic, eggs, asparagus and onions,5 and glutathione-rich foods such as watermelon, asparagus and grapefruits. Sulfur-bearing food supplements such as alpha-lipoic acid and N-acetylcysteine as well as glutathione itself elevate glutathione.6-8 Vitamin C is also required to regenerate glutathione levels in all living tissues.9 Supplementing with glutathione to boost glutathione levels is not well understood. Glutathione is a large molecule that is not easily absorbed, but it is a tripeptide with cysteine—a sulfur-bearing amino acid—in the middle. As cysteine is broken down in the digestive tract, its sulfur is absorbed and utilized to make more glutathione.
Posted on: Sun, 14 Jul 2013 10:53:30 +0000
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