GLUTATHIONE
(GSH) & HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE (HGH)
ARE CENTRAL
FOR OUR IMMUNE DEFENCE AGAINST VIRUSES.
(Please see diagram below
for better understanding. Diagram adapted from MedCram by Roger Seheult, MD).
#1. GSH is required for
the proper functioning of APCs - Antigen Presenting Cells which engulf
viral-infected cells, and then process the viral antigens for presentation and correct
identification by T-helper cells and Killer (cytotoxic) cells.
#2. GSH is required for
the activation of CD4+ cells (by APCs) to become T-helper cells, which then
initiate both the cellular (ie. by cytotoxic killer cells) and humoral (ie. by
antibodies) defence against viruses.
#3. GSH is required for
the activation of CD8+ cells (by T-helper cells) to become Killer cells, which
then kill the cells infected by viruses.
#4. GSH is required for
the activation of B-cells (also by T-helper cells) to produce antibodies
against the virus.
GSH drastically reduces
viral multiplication.
GSH reduces inflammation
caused by the viral infection, without causing the same adverse reactions like
ibuprofen does (Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory drug partly blamed for the
high COVID-19 death rate in Italy).
GSH reduces oxidative
stress, which would otherwise increase the virulence (aggressiveness) of the
virus.
Our body produces
Glutathione to maintain good health and fight infections. Glutathione has many
important functions for the body, the most important of which are listed below.
It is:
1) the most important
intra-cellular antioxidant
2) a very strong
anti-inflammatory agent
3) a very strong detoxification
agent
4) a very powerful immune
booster & modulator (ie. it also calms down an overactive immune system,
and helps auto-immunity return to normal)
5) a versatile Redox
signalling molecule.
It has hundreds of other functions
to keep us healthy.
Unfortunately, as part of
our programmed ageing, its production declines as we age.
GSH production declines by
10-15% per decade after age 20.
After age 60, the deficit
is significant (at least 40% deficit).
GSH-deficiency is
associated with over 100 diseases and health problems, while high level of GSH
is associated with good health and longevity.
All the organs, especially
the liver, kidneys, eyes, brain, heart, lungs, intestines, etc. need the
protection of GSH.
Because of the decline in
production, the balance of Glutathione as you age is:
The range is between the
healthy and unhealthy in each age group. Among the healthiest, the decline is
slow and they have higher levels of GSH despite their age.
In comparison, there is no
such predictable difference in vitamin C levels with age because we do not
produce vitamin C, and any difference is due to dietary intake and factors that
cause the body to utilize it. An old person who consumes a lot of vitamin C will
have more than a young person who does not.
If you look at the graph
of THE RISK OF DYING FROM COVID-19 (see below), you will find the elderly (especially those with co-morbidities or chronic diseases) are
most susceptible, and the young rarely die from it.
While there are many
factors contributing to this, understanding how our immune cells function
against viruses makes us realize that the decline in GSH is one major reason.
The older people have much less Glutathione, and those with co-morbidities have the least.
But we may be able to beat
the statistics by boosting our Glutathione.
There are several ways to
boost GSH. Unfortunately, although GSH is found in food (plants and animals
that we eat also produce GSH for protection), it is poorly absorbed and gets
digested instead. The same applies for most Glutathione supplements.
Scientists have discovered
that it is possible to boost Glutathione production even in older people by
providing our cells with the amino-acid cysteine, which is the component of GSH
least available from the diet. It is scarce in foods compared to other
amino-acids, and it is fragile. It gets denatured easily when the food is
cooked. So you can get some cysteine if you consume raw cysteine-rich foods
like meats, eggs, fish and poultry; cruciferous veggies like broccoli, Brussel
sprouts, kale and cauliflower; and allium veggies like garlic and onions.
A convenient way to boost Glutathione long-term is by taking supplements containing the stabilized forms
of cysteine (ie. not denatured, well-absorbed, and made available for the cells)
as the precursor for the cellular manufacture of Glutathione, instead of taking Glutathione supplements (because these are poorly absorbed).
In fact, exogenous Glutathione (from outside - ingested or injected) has to be broken down to its component amino-acids; these are then assimilated into the cells and Glutathione is re-synthesized inside the cells where it is most needed. The cells are equipped to make and "export" Glutathione but not to "import" it.
REFERENCES:
Alessandra
Fraternale, Serena Brundu, Mauro Magnani.
Glutathione and Glutathione Derivatives in
Immunotherapy. Biol Chem 398 (2), 261-275. 2017 Feb 1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27514076/
H Gmünder, W Drög. Cell Immunol 138 (1), 229-37 Nov 1991.
Differential Effects of Glutathione Depletion on T Cell Subsets. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1913838/
Roberts JC, Nagasawa HT, Zera RT, Fricke RF, Goon DJW.
Prodrugs of L-Cysteine as Protective Agents against Acetaminophen-Induced
Hepatotoxicity. 2- (Polyhydroxyalkyl)- and 2-(Polyacetoxyalkyl)
thiazolidine-4(R)-carboxylic Acids. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. 1987,
30:1891-1896].
HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE (HGH) IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT
Another major factor, in
tandem with GSH, is the decline in HGH (Human Growth Hormone) as we age past
20.
It is present at high
levels in growing children, and declines at the same rate as GSH after we stop
growing at about age 20, to very low levels in old age.
And just like GSH, HGH is
also required for the optimum functioning of our immune cells - APCs, T-helper
cells, B-cells and Killer cells as explained above.
The simplest way to boost
HGH is to ensure you get sufficient, good sleep, as HGH is mostly secreted during
sleep, following our biorhythm. You need to sleep early (definitely before
midnight) to achieve that. However, as you age past 40, even this may not be enough
to maintain HGH levels sufficient for optimum immunity.
To boost HGH higher, you
need to see anti-ageing doctors, as HGH is also the most important anti-ageing
hormone!
DR AMIR FARID ISAHAK.
