Is This Undercover Antioxidant The Secret To All-Day Energy?

Yes, you can get it as a supplement, but there are more effective ways to build this rock-star antioxidant. It’s called glutathione (pronounced "gloota-thigh-own"): the mother of all antioxidants, the master detoxifier, and maestro of your immune system.

Glutathione is a very simple molecule produced naturally from three amino acids: cysteine, glycine, and glutamine. Its sulfur chemical groups provide glutathione’s benefits. Sulfur is a sticky, smelly molecule that acts like flypaper. All the bad things in your body stick onto it, including free radicals and toxins like mercury and other heavy metals.

Your body’s ability to produce and maintain high glutathione levels becomes critical to recovery from nearly every chronic illness, preventing disease, and maintaining optimal health and performance.

Glutathione helps fight infections and prevent cancer. That’s why studies show5 that it can help in the treatment of AIDS.

Glutathione6 is the most critical and integral part of your detoxification system. All the toxins stick onto glutathione, which then carries them into bile and the stool to discard.

To get these and other benefits, you want to optimize this master antioxidant. While glutathione supplements can help, I’ve found these three strategies help your body naturally build glutathione.

Consume sulfur-rich foods including garlic, onions, and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, kale, collards, cabbage, cauliflower, and watercress.

Exercise boosts your glutathione levels8 and thereby helps boost your immune system, improve detoxification, and enhance your body’s own antioxidant defenses. Start slowly and build up to 30 minutes a day of vigorous aerobic exercise, like walking or jogging, or play various sports. Strength training for 20 minutes three times a week is also helpful.

Beyond bestowing other benefits, certain nutrients9 help build glutathione. They include:

Of course, talk to your doctor before making any changes to your diet, exercise routine, or supplement regimens, especially if you have existing medical issues.