Chemical properies

Glutathione is an abbreviated name for glutathione sulfhydry. It is a tripeptid composed of the amino acids glycine, glutamic acid and cysteine. It is produced in all body cells from these basic substances. Glutathione contains the reactive group -SH. Glutathione is often desinated by the letters GSH where G is the bulk of the molecule and SH is the reactiobe thiol group.

The function of glutathione

The basic action of glutathione is to split off a H+ from the -SH-group, thus becomming GS-, then deliver an electron to other molecules som that these get oxidized and GS- becomming GS. After doing so two GS units combine to a double molecule, glutathione disulfide of GSSG. Then GSH is regenerated from GSSG by means of an enxyme.

Another basic reaction of glutathione is to bind itself to other reactive molecules and this way deactivize them.

The basic reactions of glutathione is used in the cells to destroy or bind harmful substances. It thus protects the cells from many types of impact.

The basic reaction also elp the immune system to take care of foreign and harmful elements.

If the diet contains to little cysteine, the cells can get deficient in glutathione. Then the body will more easily be attacked by oxidants. A chronically low level of glutathione can increase aging changes and the frequency of all diseases that are related to tissue damage, like circulatory problems and cancer. A low level of glutathione will decrease the efficiency of the immune system and decrease the ability to avoid and counteract infections.

Benefits of glutathione supplements

Glutathione itself is not esily absorbed in the intestine, but supplement of the building block cysteine or the related compund S-adenosylmethionine can help to increase the level of glutathione in the body.

A supplement of these substances therefore may help to prevent damages by oxidative agents, help tp prevent circulatory diseases, aging changes, cancer and other diseases caracterized by cellular or tissue changes. It can further help to prevent and fight infections.

Chemical properties of folic acid

Folic acid is known as viatmin B-9, folacin, pteroyl-L-glutamic and pteroyl. The substance is water-solluble. Chemically it is a combination of the amino acid glutamic acid and a structure containing three aromatic rings with nitrogen atoms on several places inside and outside the rings. Folic acid is therefore also an amine with basic as well as acidic properies.

Sources of folic acid

Food sources: dark green leafy vegetables, legumes, egg yolks, beef, lamb.

Fysiological importance of folic acid

Folic acid is necessary for DNA and RNA synthesis, and then in turn also necessary for protein syntesi and for the growth and reproduction of all body cells. This necessary function is most clearly in the formation of red blood cells by the development of the embryo.

Consequences of folic acid deficiency are Deficiency symptoms gastrointestinal disorders, anemia, pre-mature gray hair

When a pregnant woman lacks folic acid, the embryo can develop incufficiently and abnormally, espscially can orthopedic and neurologic malfomations of the spine and spinal cord.

Benefits of folic acids supplements

A supplement of folic acidby pregnant women lower the risk of development disturbances in the child, especially disturbed development of the spine and spinal cord.

A folic acid supplement for people over 50 years old may help to improve memory, mental capacity and verbal fluency.

A supplement of folic acid combined with vitamine B6 (pyridoxine) and B12 (cyancobalamine) may prevent macular degenraration in the eyes.

Folic acid can help to cure anemia caused by vitamine B-12 deficiency. When there is a B-12 deficiency, this deficiency should however also be corrected  when one takes a supplement of folic acid. Folic acid can help against the anemia symptoms by B-12 deficiency, but not neurological cosequences of B-12 deficiency.