This is long, but well worth reading. It could explain many of our symptoms and the researcher also presents actual ways to "fix" it in other articles which I haven't figured out how to post. Would love your comments--I always test low on glutathione. Here is the link: http://phoenix-cfs.org/GSH%20Methylation%20Van%20Konynenburg.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glutathione


Glutathione (GSH) is a tripeptide. It contains an unusual peptide linkage between the amine group of cysteine and the carboxyl group of the glutamate side chain. Glutathione, an antioxidant, protects cells from toxins such as free radicals.

Supplementing has been difficult as research suggests that glutathione taken orally is not well absorbed across the GI tract. In a study of acute oral administration of a very large dose (3 grams) of oral glutathione, Witschi and coworkers found that "it is not possible to increase circulating glutathione to a clinically beneficial extent by the oral administration of a single dose of 3 g of glutathione."[2][3]

However glutathione precursors such as undenatured whey protein [4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11]and N-acetyl-cysteine [12] have been shown to increase glutathione content within the cell. N-acetylcysteine is a generically available supplement which has been demonstrated to increase intracellular reduced and total glutathione by 92% and 58% respectively.

All of the published clinical studies using bioactive whey proteins mentioned in the references above used a form of a bioactive whey protein and bonded cystine dietary supplement derived from lactose-free organic milk (whey protein) called Immunocal. This whey protein is clinically proven to increase glutathione levels within the lymphocytes of the immune system by 35.5% while increasing peak power and muscular performance by 13%.