Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant and well researched detoxifier. It is a sticky molecule that binds to toxins to escort them from the body. New research suggests it is also important for the immune system. Glutathione is found primarily in fresh whole foods: raw fruits and vegetables, raw meats and fresh milk. Unfortunately even milk storage reduces the glutathione levels. One study, published in the Journal of Tropical Pediatrics, found that breast milk at room temperature for 2 hours lost 73% of it’s glutathione. Refrigerated breast milk lost even more glutathione.
Supplementation with glutathione doesn’t raise blood levels of this antioxidant and cooking and storage destroys it. In some studies, Vitamin C and NAC can raise levels. But, without a doubt, eating raw fruits and vegetables is the ideal way to get this into your body–any way you can.
Dr. Murray has a good chart which displays the difference between glutathione in cooked and raw food:
Table 1. Comparison of Glutathione in Fresh vs. Cooked Foods
Glutathione amount (dry weight) (in milligrams per 31/2 oz (100 g) serving)
Food Uncooked Cooked
Apples 21 0.0
Carrots 74.6 0.0
Grapefruit 70.6 0.0
Spinach 166 27.1
Tomatoes 169 0.0
Asparagus, avocado, and walnuts are also good sources of glutathione.
WHAT TO FEED YOUR KIDS: Serve a raw fruit or vegetables with every meal and snack or buy a juicer and make fresh squeezed juice a daily habit. We all know that fruits and vegetables are the key to a healthy diet, but with so many environmental toxins (plastic is everywhere, there are prescription meds in our water, and countless chemicals in the food we eat!) everyone should be eating more raw fruits and vegetables so we can detoxify from the modern world.
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Lauren - Interesting information – I am surprised Tylenol is still on the market with all the negative things I keep reading about it.
journeytocrunchville - Great post, thanks
Anonymous - I so agree with you! I have a wheat/gluten intolerance and I also have to follow a low glycemic diet as well. Very hard to combine the both. I also find it interesting that children with autism react very well with a gluten free diet. I have started to give my family raw foods with our meals. Keep up the good work and spreading the news!
Jen from pa
Healthy Mom - Thank you for this post.
My child has done well with behavior modification and some diet changes, but this info helps as well.