Good news for those interested in increasing their selenium + glutathione level

Good news for those interested in increasing their selenium level in the blood and as a consequence the glutathione peroxidase level.

In a 'nut'shell: selenium is important because there are so many functions in the body depending upon this mineral. Antioxidant defense, fertility, thyroid function, immune response, muscle development, helps fight cancerous cells, protects our bodies from cardiovascular disease and many others.
It helps to fight bacteria and neutralizes neurotoxins. (Important with Lyme)

And it plays an essential role in the construction of glutathione, the body's self manufactured master of anti-oxidants, necessary for health in all its different aspects. It boosts the blood and detoxifies the cells.
An elevated glutathione level enables the body to produce more white blood cells.

Now, research has shown that 2 Brazil nuts are much better in order to increase glutathione peroxidase in humans than a pill with 100 mcg. selenium. (Gracias Cat111 )

Interestingly, the 2 Brazil nuts were as good as the 100 mcg. pill to increase selenium levels, but much better in increasing glutathione levels.
Although the nuts contained less selenium (only 53 mcg.) the consumption raised glutathione levels by 8%, compared to the pill with 100 mcg. selenium raising only 3%.

Conclusion : Half the selenium in the nuts raised glutathione almost 3x times.
So in a natural context selenium is 5x times more effective.

Now that is what could be called efficiency.

abstract

full

The discussion of the link between Lyme disease, selenium and glutathione has already started on this forum here.

Post Edited (Sunnyman) : 12/27/2011 5:18:12 AM (GMT-7)

Great info, Sunnyman! Thanks

achievinggrace said...
Great info, Sunnyman! Thanks

You're welcome, achievinggrace. Glad you like it. It is very impressive to see such a humble nut scientifically honored.
Straight from the amazons Mother Nature provides a natural seed to boost immunity. Remarkable isn't it?

What struck me about the glutathione is the fact that it has been discovered that people with any chronic disease have a low glutathione level, while healthy people usually have levels within range.

So low glutathione is the common denominator for ill health.
Could this be the pivotal factor with Lyme also?

Health and insipration,

No one?
Then the opinion of someone in the field:

M. Hyman MD:

"In treating chronically ill patients with Functional Medicine for more than 10 years, I have discovered that glutathione deficiency is found in nearly all very ill patients. These include people with chronic fatigue syndrome, heart disease, cancer, chronic infections, autoimmune disease, diabetes, autism, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, arthritis, asthma, kidney problems, liver disease and more.

At first I thought that this was just a coincidental finding, but over the years I have come to realize that our ability to produce and maintain a high level of glutathione is critical to recovery from nearly all chronic illness -- and to preventing disease and maintaining optimal health and performance. The authors of 76,000 medical articles on glutathione have found the same thing!"

"I used to get IV glutathione and loved it."
Hi Bucci, from the info I have found, it appears that the IV glutathione does have some beneficial effect on short term, but for chronic disease it is preferred to have the body create her own glutathione by creating conditions where it does so.

The flooding of the system with g. discourages the bodies natural production, so on the longer run it could be downright counterproductive.
However for acute intoxications it has been recommended along with the NAC.


" meanwhile, I'm on the brazil nuts since you let us in on that one, Sunny.
thanks"
You're welcome. Glad you picked that one up, Bucci. And thank you for letting this know.

I had it yesterday confirmed with energy testing (EAP). Even energetically the nuts are seriously superior to the supplements. It is truly amazing to see this happen.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A little more from M. Hyman M.D.:
"Glutathione is critical for one simple reason: It recycles antioxidants. You see, dealing with free radicals is like handing off a hot potato. They get passed around from vitamin C to vitamin E to lipoic acid and then finally to glutathione which cools off the free radicals and recycles other antioxidants. After this happens, the body can “reduce” or regenerate another protective glutathione molecule and we are back in business.

However, problems occur when we are overwhelmed with too much oxidative stress or too many toxins. Then the glutathione becomes depleted and we can no longer protect ourselves against free radicals, infections, or cancer and we can’t get rid of toxins. This leads to further sickness and soon we are in the downward spiral of chronic illness."

Glutathione

M.H.:"It's the most important molecule you need to stay healthy and prevent disease -- . It's the secret to prevent aging, cancer, heart disease, dementia and more and necessary to treat everything from autism to Alzheimer's disease.

 There are more than 89,000 medical articles about it -- but your doctor doesn't know how address the epidemic deficiency of this critical life-giving molecule ...

It's the mother of all antioxidants, the master detoxifier and maestro of the immune system: GLUTATHIONE (pronounced "gloota-thigh-own").

The good news is that your body produces its own glutathione. The bad news is that poor diet, pollution, toxins, medications, stress, trauma, aging, infections and radiation all deplete your glutathione.

This leaves you susceptible to unrestrained cell disintegration from oxidative stress, free radicals, infections and cancer. And your liver gets overloaded and damaged, making it unable to do its job of detoxification."

Anyone had glutathione tested yet?

Looking forward to hearing what you have found out

achievinggrace said...
"Looking forward to hearing what you have found out"

Hi, I hope it can add something new........

I wanted to bump this post up because it is so relevant to chronic Lyme sufferers. If the things that these posters have said is true, then, this information serves to cast even more light on energy and immune issues in the body when chronically ill.

I have learned the importance of Vit. C to healthy adrenal function. Sub-optimal adrenal function has a direct negative influence on both energy production and immune function.

Vit. C deficiency also has negative effects on the glutathione system. Glutathione deficiency will virtually negatively impact every system in the body.

In light of this information, it would be advisable to maximize your Vit. C level up to the point of bowel tolerance in my opinion. Selenium level is a little trickier. Have a test performed to check your selenium level if possible. Outside of having testing performed, you may want to eat small amounts of Brazil nuts, to see if there is any noticeable improvement. There is less of a chance of developing selenium toxicity with the food rather than the supplemental selenium isolate.

Don

Eat 4 daily.

Any other options for selenium food sources for those allergic to Brazil nuts?

Thanks,

Yes, NAC is good, also need Alpha Lipoic Acid.

Yes, there is a blood test to check glutathione. NutrEval from Genova Diagnostics includes glutathione and a bunch of other stuff...good test to assess methylation status from a biochemical perspective (i.e., to see the imbalances caused by methylation problems).

I don't know whether roasted Brazil nuts would have the same selenium content as raw...