Joseph Pizzorno

My awareness of the importance of glutathione in health began with the brilliant commentary on oceanic disease (IMCJ 7.1) by associate editor Sid Baker, MD. Since then, as I have studied detoxification, mitochondrial function, and healthy aging, the critical role of adequate glutathione to health has become ever more apparent. I have now mentioned glutathione in several previous editorials: protection from oxidative stress (IMCJ 8.3), protection from mercury and other toxic metals (IMCJ 8.2, 9.3, 10.4), protection from alcohol (IMCJ 11.6), and protection from persistent organic pollutants (POPs) (IMCJ 12.2).

… It is hard to overstate the importance of glutathione … It plays a crucial role in shielding cellular macromolecules from endogenous and exogenous reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. While it directly quenches some free radicals, of perhaps greater importance is that it deals directly with the causes of oxidative stress such as mercury and POPs.