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Mangano, Joseph J., and Janette D. Sherman. "AN UNEXPECTED MORTALITY INCREASE IN THE UNITED STATES FOLLOW THE ARRIVAL OF THE RADIOACTIVE PLUME FROM FUKUSHIMA: IS THERE A CORRELATION? “International Journal of Health Services 42.1 (2012): 47-64. Print.

Peplow, Mark. "Chernobyl's Legacy." Nature 31 Mar. 2011: 562-65. ProQuest. Web. 30 Sept. 2012. .

Prasad, K. N. "Radiation Protection in Humans: Extending the Concept of as Low as Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) from Dose to Biological Damage." British Journal of Radiology 77.914 (2004): 97-99. Print.

Shears, Richard. "Poison Particles from Nuke Plant Found in AT LEAST 12 U.S. States as Japan Is Put on 'maximum' Radiation Alert." Daily Online. London Daily Mail, 30 Mar. 2011. Web. 20 Sept. 2012. .

Glutathione is the focus of many studies taking place around the globe; a significant number of these studies involve research with HIV, also known as human immunodeficiency virus. Glutathione is a super-antioxidant normally produced in the liver and demonstrated to be deficient in many chronically ill patients. While humans evolved with this significant innate protection mechanism, the homo sapiens of today need to deal with new environmental toxins and diseases. Thus supplementation of evolutionary levels of glutathione produced by the liver may help many suffering from immune disorders, including the systemic entropy associated with an HIV positive diagnosis.

In 1997, a groundbreaking report on glutathione and HIV appeared in The Proceedings of The National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. Low glutathione levels were associated with decreased survivability. With other health factors being equal, low glutathione levels decreased lifespan by 2-3 years. Lower levels of glutathione or GSH, allowed faster disease progression and impeded the manufacture of T cells, important warriors in the HIV’s patients’ immune systems. Researchers noted that substances such as acetaminophen, alcohol, and standard drug therapies lower the body’s ability to produce glutathione (1967) because of the toxic stress these substances can put on the liver.

Additionally, levels of micronutrients, including glutathione, decrease further when patients experience the devastation of wasting syndrome (Coodley et al 1595). (A similar wasting disorder or cachexia is often seen in cancer patients.) However, glutathione has been shown to inhibit HIV virus replication, in the late stages of the disease process. This “interference” with virus replication may have implications for life extension in HIV patients and may also impact the treatment of other viruses (Palamara et al 1537).

Given this research, oral supplementation of glutathione may help HIV patients to live longer and healthier lives. However, it is important that the oral glutathione be absorbed effectively. This has been a problem with most glutathione supplementation, i.e., traditionally packaged glutathione supplements available in pharmacies or health food stores. Liposomal delivery allows a far greater amount of the antioxidant to be absorbed over a longer period of time. Thus, HIV patients should choose liposomal varieties of glutathione to ensure maximum absorption.

Oxidative stress is a “co-factor” pushing forward the transformation of HIV into full-blown AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). It is in the best interest of patients to prevent the HIV to AIDS conversion as long as possible. Until a cure is found, finding treatment modalities, including nutraceutical strategies, that lead to patients living normal lifespans remains possible – and literally a matter of life or death.

Stanford researchers and geneticists Leonore and Leonard Herzenberg remain optimistic about their research with glutathione and the HIV virus. According to Leonard Herzenberg, “We know low glutathione indicates a bad prognosis for survival for HIV patients. (“Glutathione, NAC, selenium and antioxidants”).

204 HIV positive but otherwise “healthy” patients took part in the Herzenberg study – the course of their work encompassed three years. They found that patients who kept higher glutathione levels outlived those whose levels plummeted. Additionally, those whose disease progressed with other complications, survived through the study, as long as their glutathione levels remained elevated (“Glutathione, NAC, selenium and antioxidants”).

Over the course of two decades, a multitude of studies on efficacy of glutathione impacting HIV on the cell level have taken place -- with most showing some notes of promise -- particularly in regard to the antioxidant’s ability to impact intracellular health. The Herzenbergs’ research represents rare experimentation with humans. Further studies with humans are required; nonetheless, glutathione’s effectiveness against oxidative stress, the precursor and contributor to diseases beyond HIV and AIDS, include strides with the following diseases:

• 
  cancers
  
• 
  Alzheimer's disease
  
• 
  Parkinson's disease
  
• 
  liver disease
  
• 
  cystic fibrosis
  
• 
  sickle cell anemia
  
• 
  heart attack
  
• 
  stroke
  
• 
  diabetes
  

While all of these disease will not impact the typical AIDS patient, variety of immunological disorders typically emerge when HIV converts to AIDS, leading to systemic collapse.

As of this writing, 322 papers have studied HIV, AIDS, and glutathione. Mainstream medicine has not taken much notice of the promising outcomes, perhaps because glutathione is marketed as a nutraceutical, not a drug patented by pharmaceutical companies. Because of its natural and often organic status, it is not connected to multimillion dollar advertising campaigns directed at physicians.

Additionally because most of the studies available connecting glutathione are written in highly scientific language, it is unlikely that laymen will be able to wade through the reports, without a plainspoken biochemist nearby to translate. Since the reports remain so distant from mainstream communication and reportage, many HIV positive patients may be missing the knowledge necessary to increase life expectancy.

Helping HIV patients to live longer and healthier lives though making the glutathione connection should become a mainstream mission, since it represents the possibility of a quantum win/ win situation. Individuals, families, and society as a whole, benefit from the presence of HIV positive patients who remain healthy and productive for longer periods of time. In fact, living with HIV and/ or AIDS is all about buying healthy time.

Glutathione may be the life boat nutraceutical offering HIV patients quality of life time, until the day when all societies across the globe can celebrate a cure.

Works Cited

"Glutathione, NAC, selenium, antioxidants Th1/TH2 Balance "aids" (ame-h314) - Questioning AIDS." Glutathione, NAC, selenium, antioxidants Th1/TH2 Balance "aids" (ame-h314) - Questioning AIDS. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Oct. 2012. .

Herzenberg, Leonore A., Stephen C. De Rosa, J. Gregson Dubbs, Mario Roederer, Michael T. Andersen, Stephen W. Ela, Stanley C. Derenski, and Leonard A. Herzenberg. "Glutathione Deficiency Is Associated with Impaired Survival in HIV disease." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of The United States of America 94.5 (1997): 1967-972. Print.

Palamara, Anna Teresa, Carlo-Federico Perno, Stefano Aquaro, Maria Cristina Buè, Luciana Dini, and Enrico Garaci. "Glutathione Inhibits HIV Replication by Acting at Late Stages of the Virus Life Cycle." AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses 12.16 (1996): 1537-541. Print.

"Result Filters." National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 01 Oct. 2012. .

"The Role of Oxidative Stress in Disease Progression in Individuals Infected by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus." The Role of Oxidative Stress in Disease Progression in Individuals Infected by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Oct. 2012. .

Wu, G., JZ Fang, S. Yang, JR Lupton, and ND Turner. "Glutathione Metabolism and Its Implications for Health." Journal of Nutrition 134.3 (2004): 489-92. Print.

The Role of Glutathione, Vitamin C, and Phospholipids in Skin Rejuvenation

The master antioxidant, glutathione, is showing up in many cutting edge beauty products these days. While not a household word, and somewhat tricky to pronounce – at first – glutathione holds promise in the process of cell regeneration.

Glutathione’s benefits maximize when combined with Vitamin C and

phospholipids in a liposome-based delivery system. Each ingredient brings special nutraceutical magic to an overall formulation that is cutting edge. Currently, only Glutasome combines these three ingredients in an ingestible synergistic form, delivered through a Nano-technologically engineered gel.

For decades, glutathione has been a popular ingredient in skin whitening products, particularly in the Philippines, where it available in the form of soap, health drinks, capsules, and injectables (Moral para 6) Because of its broad spectrum antioxidant qualities, some consider glutathione as a fountain-of-youth nutritional supplement. While this might sound like a tabloid claim, the rejuvenating qualities of glutathione are gaining worldwide popularity and trumpet a need for clinical studies to demonstrate measurable statistical outcomes. In the meantime, anecdotal evidence that glutathione improves the health of skin, abounds.

In Asian medicine, the appearance of skin is thought to mirror one’s overall health. After all, isn’t true beauty an expression of inner health? The skin is an organ of protection and detoxification. It is not wonder then that clear, luminous skin has been a body quality sought after by both men and women through the ages. For our ancestors, there was no separation between health and beauty.

Nowadays, people experiment with many expensive and invasive techniques to remain youthful in appearance, yet if basic inner health is not present, the results will prove fleeting, at best. Since aging is a process of cell degradation, and glutathione has been shown to renew the body at its basic cellular level, from the inside out: its rejuvenating qualities are grounded in science.

Yet, as of this writing, few studies exist that connect glutathione directly with the skincare. Those that do, demonstrate the viability of glutathione in healing from radiation (in cancer treatment) or as a potential treatment for psoriasis.

Instead, an interest in the anti-aging properties of glutathione is fueling more generalized cell research, with implications for skin restoration, showing up as an extra benefit. Thus it appears that restoration from supplemental glutathione ingested will impact the body globally, rather than just targeting skin, in particular. Simply, beautiful skin becomes the happy side effect of detoxified and fortified body.

Research suggests that the process of aging itself, involves, at least in part, increased oxidation. In our daily lives, we commonly witness metals rusting away due to the stresses of age and constant use. Human cells also undergo a unique process of “rusting” or pro-oxidation, although this cannot be isolated as the sole process impelling the aging process. The body naturally produces glutathione in the liver; however, multiple factors can decrease its optimal production, including illness, exposure to environmental toxins and radiation -- and the simple process of aging—that is, taking another trip around the sun, and singing “Happy Birthday.” While trees grow a new ring for each year of life, human cell clocks respond, eventually, with impaired duplication, resulting in little yet cumulative glitches in replication. The cells of a human in his or her prime will generally duplicate and repair themselves with greater accuracy than those of an eighty year-old, for example. Time collects its taxes. Thus, disturbances in glutathione metabolism may be a key element in understanding why and how we age (Rebrin and Sohal 1).

Dr. Karen E. Burke, of Mount Sinai’s School of Medicine, department of dermatology suggests 1,000 to 3,000 milligrams of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) daily for optimal skin care. These dosages may actually help reduce the appearance of sun damage and wrinkles (Watson para 4).

Vitamin C holds an important function in the synthesis of collagen. Aging affect levels of vitamin C and glutathione within the dermis and epidermis. Ingested vitamin C may also aid in wound healing, ease dry skin, and decrease skin inflammation (Michel paras 1-20).

Phosphatidylcholine (PC) delivered as ingested phospholipids complete a synergy with glutathione and vitamin C, enabling them play a key role in skin rejuvenation. Phospholipids represent a type of skin or covering for every cell. Think of a layer of plastic wrap holding the contents of a cell in place. These lipid protein complexes hold the cell together, aiding in its biological ordering. Phospholipids are necessary for the health of all cells. Life would not be possible without the substantial ordering they provide. As with glutathione and vitamin C, the body’s production of phospholipids wanes with age, making supplementation a wise choice (“The Power of Essential Phospholipids”).

Preventing the “rust” of oxidation within the body, with its demonstrable glow apparent in the skin’s luster and health, does not exactly translate into Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth. With such alchemical solutions out of the reach of mortals, the common sense science of glutathione metabolism offers a clear picture of an important part of the aging process.

Oxidation contributes to the wrinkling of the skin and abnormal pigmentation. The complexion looks worn and tired. Age spots or other blotches, perhaps do to UV exposure, accumulate. Aging skin tends to also be dry – although combination dry/ oily skin is another possibility – with areas thinning and perhaps taking on a parchment-like texture. A breakdown in collagen eventually leads to sagging, as in droopy eyelids and flaccid jowls. An aging individual may confront the reality of mirrors with a sense of disbelief.

While futurists speculate about the evolving science of immortality, most Baby Boomers seek greater control over the aging process, a quality of life issue. Few want to live forever – but rather, they seek to infuse their days and experiences with more life energy. In an era when age discrimination is rampant, and jobs have become ultra-competitive, a glowing complexion and the health it represents can add years to one’s work life. Giving people more control over the way they age opens floodgates of possibilities and may deliver the science of geriatrics some black eyes – and epiphanies, a true reason to smile.

Antioxidants in general, and including glutathione, represent a degree of control over the ravages of time and constant exposure to environmental threats. It does not promulgate any fairy tales of transformation from crone to maiden, or the male equivalents. Yet, detoxification of the body can shave years from a person’s appearance and in some cases create a porcelain complexion, abeam with luminosity. Fashion magazines have their own language for expressing these renovations, set in motion in the mitochondria.

Basically, glutathione is impacting cell death. The skin has evolved, as the body’s largest organ, with built in shield mechanisms. Glutathione can help regulate “cell death” (Malik and Yuspa 725). The death of individual cells presages the death of the complete organism, through the process of aging. Glutathione, delivered more effectively through liposomal technologies, and coupled with antioxidants such as vitamin C, can change the way the current generation views aging, as they begin to exert some extra control over the progression.

Some may consider the pursuit of beautiful, youthful skin as a vain quest, a mania given to movie stars or the leisure elite. But that is very old-fashioned thinking and commands some serious second thoughts. If beautiful skin is the outcome of inner health, who really can “no” to that proposition? Who can turn their backs on better overall health? Looking and feeling younger and remaining productive for extended years, sure beats the old paradigm of just accepting decay and rusting away…

Works Cited

www.glutasome.com

Malik, Mariam, and Stuart Yuspa. "'Going Green' against Skin Cancer." Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research 23.6 (2010): 725-26. Print.

Masaki, Hitoshi. "Role of Antioxidants in the Skin: Anti-aging Effects." Journal of Dermatological Science 58.2 (2010): 85-90. Print.

Michels, Alexander J., PHD. "Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Research for Optimum Health." Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Oct. 2012.