To understand why Glutathione is called the Master Antioxidant, especially for athletes, let’s first look at what happens to the body during a workout. The athlete generates free radicals, which react within the cells by a process called oxidation. Oxidation can create inflammation. If the inflammation accumulates, it decreases the function of the cell and eventually leads to cellular death. To fight that, our body uses an antioxidant, and the Master Antioxidant is Glutathione.
Glutathione, GSH, is a natural occurring protein that protects every cell, tissue, and organ from toxic free radicals and diseases. Glutathione also has the ability to regenerate antioxidants like vitamins C and E.
The average person can maintain a consistent level of Glutathione, by eating fruits and vegetables like: asparagus, potatoes, peppers, carrots, onion, broccoli, avocados, squash, spinach, garlic, tomatoes, grapefruit, apples, oranges, peaches, bananas, and melon. To keep their nutritional values high, eat those fruits and vegies fresh, not cooked or processed.
Every committed athlete will agree that quality nutrition is vital to their success. Take an Ironman athlete, on race day they burn an average of 600 calories an hour. To finish the race, it is imperative to replenish those calories with good nutrition. Yet, after a brick training day, a long ride, or a race I’m guilty of putting good nutrition second place when faced with a burger and beer. Hence, on a daily basis, 85% of my body is sore 100% of the time, and after a full Ironman race it takes me weeks to recover.
Supplements offer one option to improve quality nutrition, strength, and endurance. Still, I’m not one to take them, so when asked to try Rob Keller’s OGF Glutathione supplement I hesitated. Yet knowing glutathione can be depleted with overtraining, I tested it for 30 days and now want to share the results.
During that time I read many studies that confirmed intense exercise can led to a depletion of glutathione. And that athletes who took glutathione experienced enhanced performance, an increase of lean muscle mass and a decrease of fat.
I found Rob Keller’s formula provides cysteine, glutamne, and glycine – the building blocks a body needs to produce Glutathione naturally. Improvements I noticed include: higher levels of energy, reduced muscle aches, and a more active mindset. I especially loved how it reduced lactic acid, inflammation, and quickened recovery time. Best of all, it reduced my chronic hip pain, caused by an 18-wheeler accident.
Being pain free feels soooo good. If your lifestyle includes endurance training and racing, like mine, I highly recommend taking a Glutathione supplement like one from Rob Keller MD’s. To learn more, visit Rob Keller.
P.S. The Rob Keller MD team did not pay me for this post. However, they did give me a free supplemental bottle to try.