Hormone Replacement Therapy
Glutathione Deficiency Increase Coronavirus Risk
We now know that the novel coronavirus has a greater, negative impact on the health of people over 60 years old. When older individuals with pre-existing conditions contract COVID-19, the likelihood they will suffer symptoms severe enough to require hospitalization dramatically increases. The main reason for higher infection rates and serious symptoms in this demographic involves the immune system. Aging naturally decreases the ability of the immune system to fight infections. But when older immune systems are further weakened by chronic diseases, the coronavirus is able to strike powerfully and quickly.1
In addition to aging and chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and COPD, a glutathione deficiency is being considered as another leading cause of COVID-19 complications and deaths.2
A potent antioxidant found in nearly all animals and plants; glutathione reduces oxidation processes in the body known to create free radical molecules responsible for chronic diseases. In addition, glutathione is needed to produce anti-inflammatory compounds like prostaglandin and leukotrienes. Consequently, a glutathione deficiency can worsen the systemic inflammation with which COVID-19 ravages the body.3,4
What Science Says About Glutathione Deficiency and The Risk of Severe Covid-19 Symptoms
A comprehensive review of academic literature examining a possible correlation between glutathione deficiency and life-threatening symptoms of COVID-19 was recently published by the American Chemical Society/Infectious Diseases. Authors of the review note that the way a person’s immune system responds to a COVID-19 infection is critical to determining whether symptoms remain mild to moderate or severe enough to require intensive care treatment.
According to the study, the fact that glutathione is found in plentiful amounts in most cells indicates how important it is to reduce free radical damage while supporting immune system health. Although research proving that glutathione has many beneficial effects on overall health, the study asserts that glutathione remains highly underestimated as a powerful antioxidant.4
Key takeaways of this paper include:
- Glutathione levels decline with aging, making cells more susceptible to free radical damage and infections.
- Individuals with underlying health problems have been shown to suffer a glutathione deficiency. When COVID-19 infects people with one or more chronic diseases, the lack of glutathione not only increases oxidative stress but can exacerbate lung damage leading to organ failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and ultimately, death.
- More men die from COVID-19 than women. Since both younger and older men having lower plasma levels of glutathione, doctors speculate this is one factor that causes men to be more susceptible to systemic inflammation and oxidative stress.
- Smoking is a risk factor for dying from COVID-19-induced ARDS. Carcinogenic chemicals in cigarette smoke are known to diminish cellular glutathione levels in the lungs and airways.
- Obese COVID-19 patients typically eat more unhealthy foods that do not contain glutathione. Neglecting to eat enough fresh fruit and vegetables could be a vital risk factor leading to a glutathione deficiency.
Antiviral Properties of Glutathione
One little known property of glutathione is its ability to prevent some viruses from replicating at certain stages of the viral life cycle. The antiviral nature of glutathione seems to inhibit viral “loads”, or the number of replicated viruses in the bloodstream.5
Since COVID-19 predominantly attacks the lungs, the higher the viral load is, the more inflammatory cells (cytokines) are released into the lungs. A massive release of cytokines into the lungs is called a “cytokine storm”. Researchers are finding these cytokine storms are causing COVID-19 patients to need ventilators, longer hospitalizations, and even longer recovery times.6
In studies examining the anti-viral properties of glutathione, researchers found that giving older, high-risk individuals a glutathione precursor called N-acetylcysteine (NAC) significantly reduced influenza infections or flu-like episodes. Additionally, subjects in the study diagnosed with severe ARDS who had a severe glutathione deficiency experienced symptom improvement when given injections of NAC over a period of six months. According to this study, the anti-viral and antioxidant properties of glutathione reduced viral infection and lung damage in older people with underlying medical problems.7
Wear a Mask, Social Distance, Wash Your Hands and Get Glutathione Injections at Renew Health and Wellness
COVID-19 is not expected to just “go away” until a vaccine has been approved and universally provided to global citizens. Staying healthy during the pandemic means incorporating these habits into your daily routine and ensuring your body has access to sufficient glutathione. Contact our office today to learn more about the potential benefits of glutathione supplement injections.
References
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/the-impact-of-the-covid-19-pandemic-on-older-adults
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/symptoms-causes/syc-20479963
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323936
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7263077/
https://www.intechopen.com/books/glutathione-in-health-and-disease/the-role-of-glutathione-in-viral-diseases-of-the-central-nervous-system
https://www.health.com/condition/infectious-diseases/coronavirus/cytokine-storm
https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/erj/10/7/1535.full.pdf
Glutathione Deficiency Increase Coronavirus Risk, Study Finds
We now know that the novel coronavirus has a greater, negative impact on the health of people over 60 years old. When older individuals with pre-existing conditions contract COVID-19, the likelihood they will suffer symptoms severe enough to require hospitalization dramatically increases. The main reason for higher infection rates and serious symptoms in this demographic involves the immune system. Aging naturally decreases the ability of the immune system to fight infections. But when older immune systems are further weakened by chronic diseases, the coronavirus is able to strike powerfully and quickly.1
In addition to aging and chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and COPD, a glutathione deficiency is being considered as another leading cause of COVID-19 complications and deaths.2
A potent antioxidant found in nearly all animals and plants; glutathione reduces oxidation processes in the body known to create free radical molecules responsible for chronic diseases. In addition, glutathione is needed to produce anti-inflammatory compounds like prostaglandin and leukotrienes. Consequently, a glutathione deficiency can worsen the systemic inflammation with which COVID-19 ravages the body.3,4
What Science Says About Glutathione Deficiency and The Risk of Severe Covid-19 Symptoms
A comprehensive review of academic literature examining a possible correlation between glutathione deficiency and life-threatening symptoms of COVID-19 was recently published by the American Chemical Society/Infectious Diseases. Authors of the review note that the way a person’s immune system responds to a COVID-19 infection is critical to determining whether symptoms remain mild to moderate or severe enough to require intensive care treatment.
According to the study, the fact that glutathione is found in plentiful amounts in most cells indicates how important it is to reduce free radical damage while supporting immune system health. Although research proving that glutathione has many beneficial effects on overall health, the study asserts that glutathione remains highly underestimated as a powerful antioxidant.4
Key takeaways of this paper include:
- Glutathione levels decline with aging, making cells more susceptible to free radical damage and infections.
- Individuals with underlying health problems have been shown to suffer a glutathione deficiency. When COVID-19 infects people with one or more chronic diseases, the lack of glutathione not only increases oxidative stress but can exacerbate lung damage leading to organ failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and ultimately, death.
- More men die from COVID-19 than women. Since both younger and older men having lower plasma levels of glutathione, doctors speculate this is one factor that causes men to be more susceptible to systemic inflammation and oxidative stress.
- Smoking is a risk factor for dying from COVID-19-induced ARDS. Carcinogenic chemicals in cigarette smoke are known to diminish cellular glutathione levels in the lungs and airways.
- Obese COVID-19 patients typically eat more unhealthy foods that do not contain glutathione. Neglecting to eat enough fresh fruit and vegetables could be a vital risk factor leading to a glutathione deficiency.
Antiviral Properties of Glutathione
One little known property of glutathione is its ability to prevent some viruses from replicating at certain stages of the viral life cycle. The antiviral nature of glutathione seems to inhibit viral “loads”, or the number of replicated viruses in the bloodstream.5
Since COVID-19 predominantly attacks the lungs, the higher the viral load is, the more inflammatory cells (cytokines) are released into the lungs. A massive release of cytokines into the lungs is called a “cytokine storm”. Researchers are finding these cytokine storms are causing COVID-19 patients to need ventilators, longer hospitalizations, and even longer recovery times.6
In studies examining the anti-viral properties of glutathione, researchers found that giving older, high-risk individuals a glutathione precursor called N-acetylcysteine (NAC) significantly reduced influenza infections or flu-like episodes. Additionally, subjects in the study diagnosed with severe ARDS who had a severe glutathione deficiency experienced symptom improvement when given injections of NAC over a period of six months. According to this study, the anti-viral and antioxidant properties of glutathione reduced viral infection and lung damage in older people with underlying medical problems.7
Wear a Mask, Social Distance, Wash Your Hands and Get Glutathione Injections at Renew Health and Wellness
COVID-19 is not expected to just “go away” until a vaccine has been approved and universally provided to global citizens. Staying healthy during the pandemic means incorporating these habits into your daily routine and ensuring your body has access to sufficient glutathione. Contact our office today to learn how we can help you reduce your risk for contracting COVID-19 with glutathione supplement injections.
References
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/the-impact-of-the-covid-19-pandemic-on-older-adults
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/symptoms-causes/syc-20479963
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323936
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7263077/
https://www.intechopen.com/books/glutathione-in-health-and-disease/the-role-of-glutathione-in-viral-diseases-of-the-central-nervous-system
https://www.health.com/condition/infectious-diseases/coronavirus/cytokine-storm
https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/erj/10/7/1535.full.pdf
