Why Glutathione is the Most Popular Supplement for Athletes
Glutathione is a peptide consisting of three amino acids: L-cysteine, L-glutamic acid, and glycine. It is a powerful antioxidant that is the primary detoxifier and anti-inflammatory agent found in every cell of your body. Researchers consider glutathione so essential to optimum health that measuring endogenous glutathione levels could possibly be utilized to predict the life span of an organism.
Improve Endurance
Adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, is the primary energy source used by all tissues and cells in your body. It is required for all physiologic processes involved with muscle contraction. As you increase the intensity and duration of your workout, the more ATP you consume.
Strenuous exercise demands tissues to create more ATP, which requires more oxygen and results in a greater production of free radicals. Glutathione is the primary antioxidant responsible for detoxifying these reactive oxygen species. However, glutathione levels are depleted in response to exercise, placing cells at risk for oxidative damage. Furthermore, ATP requires glutathione to create energy. In other words, as your levels of glutathione drop during physical activity, the less ATP your body can produce, the less endurance you will have.
Oxidative stress occurs when there is a deficiency of antioxidants, such as glutathione, to combat free radicals, leading to cellular and tissue damage. Oxidative stress can result in muscle and joint pain, inflammation, muscle weakness, and fatigue. Glutathione is superior to other antioxidants in preventing oxidative stress due to its ability to neutralize a wide range of free radicals.
Improve Muscular Performance
For athletes, oxidative stress primarily impacts the muscles. It can cause muscle fatigue hindering athletic performance. Glutathione deficiency also prolongs muscle and tissue recovery time, resulting in more extended periods of soreness, muscle and joint pain, and injury. Supplementing with glutathione prevents oxidative damage, decreasing muscle fatigue and accelerating recovery time.
Enhance Immunity
Glutathione plays an essential role in immune function. It can regulate inflammation by directing the response of white blood cells and cytokines. This inflammatory response is associated with injuries such as a pulled muscle or sprained ligament and is also activated by microscopic muscular tears ensuing from physical activity. Therefore, glutathione can be an extremely effective supplement to aid in muscle restoration and recovery and protein synthesis and growth for those who exercise regularly.
Why should you add intravenous glutathione to your post-workout routine?
• Improve physical exertion and stamina
• Increase energy
• Prevent muscle fatigue
• Promote muscle protein synthesis and growth
• Repair injuries
• Regulate inflammation
• Relieve muscle and joint pain
Interested in what the research suggests? Check out this study!