You need copper for proper glutathione function.
Yup, glutathione peroxidase (GPO) — a glutathione metabolizing enzyme — is a function of ceruloplasmin, that very important copper protein I talk about a lot.
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GPO is important for:
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〰️Converting reactive oxygen molecules aka peroxides like hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) into water
〰️Protecting cell membranes and blood vessel linings
〰️Preventing cellular degeneration
〰️Red blood cell metabolism
〰️Preventing chromosomal damage
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Many people today supplement glutathione, but most don’t realize that they won’t make it past their stomach acid (hello expensive pee).
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If we’re not making enough GPO, we’re probably deficient in copper. We also need Vitamin B3 and cysteine.
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Where to go from here?
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〰️Eat copper-rich foods (see my “Copper-Rich Foods” post)
〰️Eat retinol-rich foods (see my “Beta Carotene is NOT Real Vitamin A” post)
〰️Eat B3-rich foods like beef and fish
〰️Eat cysteine-rich foods like eggs, dairy and poultry
〰️Save your money on those glutathione supplements
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This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional before pursuing any changes to your personal healthcare regime.
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References
Dalvi, S.M. Patil, V.W. Ramraje, N.N. (2012). The Roles of Glutathione, Glutathione Peroxidase, Glutathione Reductase and the Carbonyl Protein in Pulmonary and Extra Pulmonary Tuberculosis. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3527770/#:~:text=Glutathione%2C%20which%20is%20involved%20in,of%20organic%20hydroperoxides%20as%20substrates..
Haas, E. M. Levin, B. (2006). Staying Healthy with Nutrition. New York, NY: Ten Speed Press.
Kardos, J. Héja, L. Simon, A. Jablonkai, I. Kovács, R. Jemnitz, K. (2018). Copper signalling: causes and consequences. Retrieved from: https://biosignaling.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12964-018-0277-3.
Lubos, E. Loscalzo, J. E, D. (2011). Glutathione Peroxidase-1 in Health and Disease: From Molecular Mechanisms to Therapeutic Opportunities. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3159114/.
Yang, M.S. Chang, H.W. Yu, L.C. (2006). Glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase activities are partially responsible for determining the susceptibility of cells to oxidative stress. Retrieved from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16887253/.
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