To this day, the causes and development of exhaustion-related diseases such as tumour fatigue, chronic or post-viral exhaustion have not yet been fully clarified. However, scientists agree that the body's own reduced glutathione (GSH) is crucial for human energy balance. Various effects are important here, which are explained below:
- ATP production
- Oxygen transport
- Support of the immune system
- Regulation of inflammation
- Protection against free radicals
Glutathione: a must for energy production
Glutathione protects cells from damage caused by free radicals and oxidative stress. This is one of the main functions of our glutathione system. The mitochondria, the “power stations” of the cells, are also protected in this way.
In the mitochondria, energy is produced in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). ATP is the most important energy supplier of human metabolism. It is required in virtually all energy-consuming reactions in the cell. Many free radicals are generated in the mitochondria during ATP production.
In addition, cell structures are also attacked by free radicals from outside. The mitochondria can therefore be seriously impaired in their function if not enough of the body's own glutathione is available.
Only well-protected mitochondria are able to produce sufficient ATP as the organism's energy carrier. Damage resulting from reduced intracellular glutathione values inevitably leads to a general energy deficit.
Glutathione: important for oxygen transport
To be able to perform well, we depend on a good supply of oxygen to all organs. If the muscles, brain and organs do not receive enough oxygen, tiredness, shortness of breath and weakness result. Oxygen is transported through the body by binding to the red blood pigment haemoglobin; with the blood, it reaches all regions of the body.
If haemoglobin oxidises, methaemoglobin is formed. This cannot transport oxygen. This is precisely where the body's own reduced glutathione comes into play again: it protects haemoglobin from oxidation and thus ensures oxygen transport. This is particularly important for the muscles and the brain.
Glutathione supports performance by safeguarding the transport of oxygen to the muscles, the brain and the whole body.
Glutathione: protection against stress-related diseases
Mental illnesses are promoted by long-lasting stress; the exact mechanisms have been researched for a long time. One explanatory approach is that chronic stress sets inflammatory processes in motion in the brain that damage the nerve cells. Certain immune cells, the microglial cells, are responsible for this. These connections are investigated by physicians specialising in psychoneuroimmunology.
Chronic stress sets immune and inflammatory processes in motion in the brain. As a result, nerve cells are damaged: a risk factor for the development of mental illnesses, including burnout syndrome and depression. Incidentally, the same mechanism also applies in diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis.
Since the body's own glutathione regulates inflammation and keeps the immune system healthy, increasing intracellular glutathione levels can have positive effects in depression and burnout.
Glutathione: protection against post-viral fatigue
The exact mechanisms that lead to the wide range of complaints associated with post-viral syndromes have not yet been precisely clarified. Nevertheless, scientists agree: the severe chronic exhaustion that is characteristic of COVID fatigue shows striking parallels to chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
An important factor in the development of chronic tiredness and weakness is low intracellular glutathione levels, as often occur as a consequence of viral diseases. Effective glutathione cell therapy can therefore offer decisive therapeutic approaches here.
Glutathione: protection against side effects of cancer treatments
In tumour fatigue, the mechanisms of development are comparable. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy lead to an increased burden of free radicals. If this burden is too high, the balance between active, reduced glutathione and oxidised glutathione is disturbed. The body's own glutathione can then no longer adequately perform its tasks. The consequences:
- The mitochondria are damaged and can no longer produce enough energy.
- Oxygen transport to the muscles, the brain and other organs of the body is impaired.
- These processes favour the development of tumour fatigue.
Increasing intracellular glutathione levels can relieve cancer-related exhaustion, because this enables the glutathione system to perform its natural tasks again.