Glutathione-SR by Thorne Research
Thorne Research Glutathione-SR 175 mg. - 60 Vegetarian Capsules
Reduced glutathione (GSH) occurs naturally in all human cells. GSH is a cofactor for dozens of enzymes involved in detoxification. As an antioxidant, it directly quenches several reactive oxygen species (free radicals). Numerous structures and functions in the body receive benefit from maintaining normal levels of glutathione, such as hepatic support, pulmonary health, immune function, bowel health, carbohydrate metabolism, cardiovascular health, cognitive health, and eye health.
The liver is the largest reservoir for glutathione in the body. A potent endogenous antioxidant, glutathione is essential for phase I and phase II liver detoxification. Unfortunately, lifestyle issues and conditions that negatively affect liver health usually result in a decreased amount of liver glutathione.
Maintaining optimal levels of glutathione appears to be important for supporting cognitive function, especially as we age. The normal process of aging is associated with a decrease in glutathione regulation, which can result in increased oxidative activity. Less than optimum levels of glutathione are observed in individuals experiencing a decline in cognitive function. Conversely, individuals living over 100 years tend to have higher glutathione reductase activity.
A common mistaken belief is that glutathione is not well absorbed when it's taken orally, but significant data confirms it is efficiently absorbed across the intestinal epithelium by a specific uptake system.
Glutathione-SR from Thorne Research represents an important breakthrough in glutathione supplementation. Absorption of oral glutathione can be affected by stomach acid or enzymes in the duodenum, which can break glutathione into its amino acid components. However, the sustained-release properties of Thorne Research's Glutathione-SR protect it from stomach acid and digestive enzymes, allowing slower release and a more steady level in the blood of this essential nutrient.
- available exclusively from Thorne Research
- sustained-release glutathione for optimal blood levels
- an important breakthrough in glutathione supplementation - the sustained-release formula allows twice-daily supplementation
- the body's most important antioxidant and detoxification factor
Dr. Michael Lebowitz D.C. Recommends:
Dr. Michael Lebowitz D.C. finds this product useful in chemical and metal sensitivities/toxicities. Many people need it although they do not test deficient in cysteine, glycine, or glutamic acid (its components). Dr. Michael Lebowitz D.C. believes some patients, despite having the components, cannot synthesize it in adequate amounts. Perhaps a fogged-out patient is also fogged out internally (most likely they are) and is having a rough time synthesizing glutathione until you've cleared out other factors. Glutathione is a tri-peptide with free thiol (-SH) groups. This property makes it a very powerful antioxidant, anti-carcinogen, and binder of xenobiotics (toxic chemicals) and toxic metals (especially mercury, gold, cadmium, and copper). Selenium works synergistically with GSH as does vitamin E and zinc. When there is an increased need for antioxidant activity it is theorized that most cells will require GSH from the plasma (which gets it from the liver) as opposed to making it. When the liver's synthesis capability is diminished (as it easily can be from chronic chemical and metal exposure), the body's GSH requirement must be met by diet and supplementation. Dietarily, raw fruits and vegetables (especially spinach and parsley) can raise plasma GSH levels, although it is wise to also supplement, at least temporarily. Interestingly enough, animal studies have shown supplementing with glycine and glutamic acid had no effect on plasma and tissue GSH, After GSH binds chemicals and metals it is important to excrete them as soon as possible, and a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, as well as healthy fats (flax oil, possibly eggs from healthy chickens) can facilitate this process. When Dr. Michael Lebowitz D.C. tests patients on chemicals or metals and they weaken a strong indicator muscle, he checks to see whether the weakness in negated by glutathione, and if so, he supplements with it. GSH has proven to be a very useful product. It is appropriate to start taking it three days prior to any dental work, along with ascorbic acid (1 teaspoon three times daily), although ascorbic acid should not be taken just before an appointment because it may render the anesthetic ineffective.
Thorne Research's Mission
At Thorne Research, their mission is to enhance the health and well-being of people by providing superior dietary supplements that have the highest level of quality and purity – thereby creating the most respected and valued company in the dietary supplement industry.
The Thorne Difference.
For more than 25 years, Thorne has relentlessly pursued the highest possible quality and bioavailability in dietary supplements. At Thorne, they actually manufacture products that they sell – a key difference that allows Thorne to control every aspect of the manufacturing process and ensure that every Thorne product is in pure, completely hypoallergenic form, and without the common additives, flowing agents, and binders used throughout the industry.
A few other companies have tried to do what Thorne does, and many others claim to have the same philosophy and quality, but nobody has been able to duplicate what Thorne's clients call "Thorne Quality." Thorne has changed the industry in many ways over the past two decades, and they continue to raise the bar and set new standards in product formulation, raw material purity, manufacturing, and quality control.
Thorne's Commitment to Purity
Practitioners have become accustomed to seeing the vague "We use only the purest ingredients" in the promotional materials of almost every dietary supplement company. Perhaps these companies truly believe that. Perhaps they don't know any better. Nevertheless, Thorne Research, for more than 25 years, has been the standard by which companies in the industry are judged for product purity. Practitioners rely on Thorne as the company they trust for their extremely allergic, chemically sensitive, and immune-compromised patients.
Purity Takes Extra Effort
For example, instead of purchasing prediluted vitamin D, as other companies do, Thorne performs its own dilution to avoid detrimental ingredients, such as the preservatives or lactose that are found in many commercially available dilutions. Why must vitamin D be diluted? Because in its pure form, it is too concentrated to safely blend into a vitamin product. Pure vitamin D is 40 MILLION International Units (IU) per gram. The RDA for adults is 600-800 IU per day. To ensure proper mixing, it must be made into a dilute powder that flows and does not lose potency. So, unlike companies that use prediluted vitamin D that contains unacceptable excipients and preservatives, at Thorne, pure pharmaceutical vitamin D is first blended with pure mixed tocopherol vitamin E, and the resultant stable vitamin D is then blended with hypoallergenic cellulose powder. The final powder is blended in a large tumble blender and subsequently analyzed. Not only is the final product stable; it is also hypoallergenic and can be mixed homogeneously and at a safe level with other powders. Just as with vitamin D, Thorne utilizes similar processes for other raw materials, such as vitamin K, leaving it to other companies to purchase commercially available raw materials filled with unacceptable ingredients and preservatives.
Ingredients You Don't Want
Magnesium Stearate: Good for speed-hungry encapsulating machines. Not necessarily good for you. Manufacturing encapsulated dietary supplements isn't easy. Pure powdered ingredients are difficult to mix because they are either extremely dry, sticky with botanical oils, or attract unwanted moisture. So most manufacturers add magnesium stearate and other agents such as lactose and dextrose to make the powder flow quickly and easily through their high-volume machines. Problem is, these additives may compromise the bioavailability of the nutrients in the supplement, and might cause allergenic problems. At Thorne, they take a different approach.
Thorne will never utilize large fatty acid excipients in its manufacturing processes – ingredients such as magnesium stearate or stearic acid. These excipients are utilized as flowing agents to ensure that maximum productivity is obtained from capsuling and tableting machines. There are documented detrimental effects directly attributed to long chain fatty acids utilized as manufacturing flowing agents. Every qualified pharmaceutical compounder recognizes that large fatty acids, such as magnesium stearate, can interfere with product dissolution and influence absorption. Virtually all companies, because of the economic impact, ignore this data. As with most industries, the bottom line dictates the level of quality. The dietary supplement industry has one exception: Thorne Research, the company that does not compromise. Nevertheless, if a company cannot manufacture products without using detrimental excipients, they should not allude to being either "hypoallergenic" or "pure."
The Bottom Line?
Thorne is the only hypoallergenic dietary supplement manufacturer with the highest degree of purity that you – and your most severely allergic, chemically sensitive, and immune-compromised patients – can truly trust.
Quality Ingredients: A Higher Standard
At Thorne, they are committed to setting a higher standard of quality when it comes to ingredients. To produce their truly hypoallergenic encapsulated supplements, Thorne uses only the purest and finest ingredients available.
Every manufacturer has two basic options when purchasing raw materials: purchase either truly pure raw materials, or purchase raw materials to which substances have been added to facilitate manufacturing. This fundamental dilemma translates to these very typical questions: "Do I purchase pure vitamin C or vitamin C with additives?" "Do I purchase pure B vitamins or coated B vitamins for taste masking?" "Do I purchase pure enzymes such as pancreatin, pepsin, and bromelain or enzymes diluted with lactose?"
There are few commercial sources for vitamins B12, D, K, or biotin that are not diluted with substances such as lactose, cornstarch, and preservatives such as BHT. That's why Thorne developed methods that allow them to use pure, undiluted sources of these nutrients – and many others. It's just one more example that when it comes to quality, what everyone else accepts as an industry standard isn't good enough. While some companies say they are raising their standards....at Thorne they set them.
Take 1 capsule two to three times daily or as recommended by your healthcare practitioner.
Store tightly sealed in a cool, dry place.
This product is contraindicated in an individual with a history of hypersensitivity to any of its ingredients.
This product does not contain wheat, gluten, corn, yeast, soy, egg, dairy products, or artificial colors, sweeteners, or flavors. This product also does not contain lactose, palmitic acid, or magnesium, calcium, or vegetable stearates.
If pregnant, consult your health-care practitioner before using this product.
There are no known adverse interactions or contraindications at publication date.