Though medical health professionals have yet to identify a specific cause of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, they have been able to delineate several contributing factors that may lead to or exacerbate the condition. One of these factors appears to be a glutathione deficiency.

What is Glutathione?

Glutathione is a tripeptide that has many different functions to support a healthy body. The three amino acids that comprise glutathione are:

• Glycine

• Cysteine

• gamma-glutamic acid

What does Glutathione do?

Glutathione serves the body in many important ways:

• modulator of cellular homeostasis
• detoxification of metals and oxyradicals
• strong free radical scavenger, prevents damage to DNA and RNA
• boost immune function
• creates enzymes to assist the liver with detox

Glutathione Deficiency in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients

Research has reported that glutathione is depleted in people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and that this deficiency causes their muscular fatigue and myalgia.

It is also speculated that depleted levels of glutathione allow viral and toxin exposures to trigger cell dysfunction and lead to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Chronic viral infections, toxins, chemicals, and elevated hormones can promote the conditions that deplete the liver’s glutathione stores. These are all linked to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome too.

Low glutathione also contributes to metal and chemical sensitivity that is associated with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Dietary Supplements to Optimize Glutathione

Glutathione is primarily made by the body, but can be supplemented by diet. Supplements you can take to boost your body’s glutathione levels include:

• 1000 mg Vitamin C
• Natural Vitamin E
• Increased sulfur intake
• 500 mg n-acetyl cysteine
• 50-250mg glutathione

Your health practitioner may also suggest intravenous, intramuscular, or aerosol administration of glutathione supplements for increased effectiveness.

Food Sources of Glutathione

If you have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome you know that a healthy diet will be essential to manage your symptoms. If you and your health practitioner have concluded that you are glutathione deficient, you will want to be sure you are incorporating food sources of glutathione into your diet as much as possible. Glutathione is especially rich in the following foods:

• Asparagus
• Avocado
• Walnuts

Other food sources of glutathione include:

• Frozen and fresh fruits and vegetables
• Fish
• Meat

Another Great Reason to Quit

Cigarettes also contribute to glutathione deficiency because they speed up the rate of glutathione usage in the body. If you have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, you should quit smoking. If you don’t have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, you should quit smoking.

Learn more about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome here.

Sources:
http://www.immunesupport.com/Library/showarticle.cfm/ID/1101
http://www.chronicfatiguesupport.com/library/showarticle.cfm/ID/2817/T/CFIDS/searchtext/
http://www.naturalpath.com/healthnotes/Supp/Glutathione