The term "antioxidant" has become popular in a multitude of products from acai to dark chocolate, but the most important antioxidant is the one made by your body: glutathione. Sufficient glutathione is vital for combating autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism.
Glutathione is a molecule that protects the body in many ways. It shields cells from damage caused by oxidation and inflammation, it aids in detoxification, and it helps the immune system function at its best.
When glutathione production drops, you are more vulnerable to:
- autoimmune disease
- chemical sensitivities
- heavy metal sensitivities
- inflammatory disorders
- intestinal permeability (leaky gut)
- other immune issues
Stress lowers glutathione levels
When we are healthy, our bodies make enough glutathione to protect us. However, chronic stress, whether it is from toxins, poor diet, sleep deprivation, smoking, excess sugar, or other stressors, eventually exhausts glutathione levels. Glutathione levels also decrease gradually as a result of aging.
A glutathione supplement is not effective taken orally. Instead, people can boost glutathione levels through a liposomal cream, nebulizer, suppository, or IV drip. These methods will help raise glutathione levels and your general antioxidant status, which can reduce inflammation and improve health. However, they do not raise glutathione inside the cells.
Studies link low glutathione with autoimmune hypothyroidism
To raise glutathione levels inside the cells, where it can protect the cells’ energy-producing factories called "mitochondria," you must enhance your body's ability to recycle glutathione. Recycling glutathione means taking glutathione that has already been used and rebuilding it so it's ready for action again.
Studies show a correlation between the inability to recycle glutathione and increased autoimmune disease, such as Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism. Glutathione recycling helps balance the immune system, protect the thyroid gland tissue from damage caused autoimmune attacks, and also helps repair damage. Good glutathione recycling is an important tool in managing Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism.
Glutathione recycling helps repair leaky gut
Glutathione recycling also helps protect and repair the gut. It's common for people with Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism to have leaky gut, which exacerbates their autoimmune thyroid condition. Poor glutathione recycling weakens gut integrity, making a person more prone to multiple food sensitivities and chronic gut issues. Good glutathione recycling is a vital part of restoring and protecting gut health.
Boosting glutathione recycling for Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism
One of the most important steps to enhance glutathione recycling is to remove stressors that deplete glutathione levels. These may include lack of sleep, smoking, food intolerances, diets high in sugars and processed foods, excess alcohol intake, and metabolic imbalances, such as with the hormones or immune system.
If you have Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism, this also means going on a strict gluten-free diet, as many studies show a connection between the autoimmune thyroid disease and a gluten intolerance or celiac disease.
Beyond that, a variety of nutritional and botanical compounds have been shown to support glutathione recycling. They include:
- N-acetyl-cysteine
- Alpha-lipoic acid
- L-glutamine
- Selenium
- Cordyceps
- Gotu kola
- Milk thistle
Boosting your glutathione levels with a glutathione liposomal cream and then supporting glutathione recycling can profoundly enhance the management of Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism, inflammatory disorders, chemical sensitivities, food sensitivities, and more.
Contact my office for advice on how you can support your glutathione recycling system.
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I love your article. I have Hashis and celiac’s as well. But I started a gluten free diet before I knew i had celiacs. My sister who also has hashis but no celiac has been feeling terrific on a gluten free diet.
My naturopath has a blended treatment that has all the herbs above it it, but the cream is something we haven’t discussed.
Can you suggest some brands of glutathione lipsomal creams that are good? I
I am located in Canada.
Thanks for your help!!