The Most Important Nutrient For Overall Health?

By Dr. Marc Bubbs ND, CSCS, ART

Which nutrient would you think is likely the most important for your overall health and longevity? Would you guess vitamin C? Or fish oils? In fact, glutathione is one of the most important nutrients for maintaining optimal health and longevity. Why? It is a powerful antioxidant, cools inflammation, is an essential component of the body’s detoxification systems, and a clinically proven marker for healthy-aging and longevity!

Glutathione is also one of the most powerful antioxidants in the body because it is one of the few antioxidants that can be found in all tissues. It also has the ability to recycle both water-soluble antioxidants (i.e. vitamin C) and fat-soluble antioxidants (vitamin E). This makes it an absolute antioxidant all-star! Antioxidants are important chemicals that keep our cellular membranes intact and neutralize free radicals.  Glutathione can also repair damaged DNA and is involved in controlling chronic inflammation by influencing our genes at the cellular level.  This provides deep and lasting reductions in inflammation.

You often hear people say they are ‘doing on a detox’, but do they ever mention boosting their glutathione levels? If not, they won’t get very far. Glutathione is an integral part of the Phase II liver detoxification chemical pathway. This pathway is essential for taking toxins from the bloodstream and eliminating them from the body. Essentially, glutathione functions like your garbage truck who takes the waste from the front of your house to the garbage dump. It’s a very important job. Without glutathione those toxins you are ingesting or liberating on your detox will be lingering around your body, like the trash at the end of your driveway. Not a good recipe for health.

Clinically, glutathione has been linked as one of the most important indicators of health and longevity. Why? A common denominator of ‘centurians’ or people living to 100 years of age has been found to be higher levels of glutathione.  How can you increase your levels?  Start by adding more to your diet. You can increase your levels of glutathione naturally by adopting a whole food based diet rich in berries, watermelon, cantaloupe, oranges, grapefruits, and avocados.  As well, vegetables such as leafy greens, tomatoes, asparagus, carrots, yams, cabbage and green peppers are all rich sources of glutathione.

If you need added support then supplementation can also increase your glutathione levels. Unfortunately, the body’s ability to breakdown and absorb glutathione from supplements is limited. This is why the intravenous therapy administration of glutathione is gaining popularity.  It is 100% bioavailable, easy-to-administer, and a terrific method for boosting antioxidants status, cooling inflammation and supporting detoxification.

Dr. Marc Bubbs N.D. has been working with athletes and active people for almost a decade. As a Naturopathic Doctor and Strength and Conditioning Coach, Marc focuses on the integration of health and exercise, believing that movement is the best medicine. He focuses on a holistic approach, using a combination of traditional Eastern and cutting-edge Western medicine to meet his client’s health and performance goals. To book an appointment with Dr. Bubbs, please contact the Integrative Health Institute at 416 260 6038.