Glutathione and mitochondrial function

Glutathione and mitochondrial function                       

Today I would like to write about a new treatment protocol I have been following for the last 3 weeks. It is centered around the master anti-oxidant GLUTATHIONE and its importance for mitochondrial ATP production. (ATP: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adenosine_triphosphate)

I had had a test done two years ago which stated that I had extremly low levels of ATP. Interestingly this low ATP count seems to correspond very exactly with my very low strength/energy. Which makes sense of course. I think that the ATP test is probably the very best proof of chronic fatigue / exhaustion. And I have noticed that, when people ask me what my health problem is and I tell them about mitochondrial ATP production, they tend to believe me. Not at all like when I say I have chronic fatigue and they all think it's a psychological problem and I am a lazy nut case.

So I tried to find out more about the causes of low mitochondrial function. That's when I came across
Konynenburg and Dr Nathan who say that a lack of glutathione in the cells damages mitochondria who then cannot produce enough ATP.

So I took a deep breath and listened to Richard van Konynenburg:

http://iaomt.media.fnf.nu/2/skovde_2011_me_kroniskt_trotthetssyndrom/3/0

He talks about methylation and glutathion and mitochondrial function. He also talks about a clinical trial of his theories in the private practice of Dr. Neil Nathan.

Dr. Nathan has recently written an amazing book 'On Hope and Healing. For those who have fallen through the medical cracks'. It's easily availabe online, and in my opinion, a must read for everybody with chronic illnesses.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZ_ER3ilSvo

Unfortunately they also say that glutathione cannot be raised directly but only indirectly, through B12 and folinic acid, because glutathion doesn't make it through the body into the cells. It sounds complicated and apparenty leads to uncomfortable detox symptoms but I think that it is of course absolutely worth trying.

At roughly the same time (about six weeks ago), a friend mentioned an article by a German doctor on the same subject. This guy, a Dr. Gesswein has recently  published a book on how to raise intercellular gluthation in a more direct way. He uses ACETYL GLUTATHIONE which allegedly reaches the cells and then reverts back to glutathione.

Gesswein's approch is very pragmatic:

1. test your levels of glutathion, D3, ATP and a few others
2. take a number of supplements
3. test again after 4 weeks
4. take more supps according to your test
5. test again after three months
6. take supps according to your test
7. and so on and so on

It's all pure biochemistry, exactly like Konynenburg and Nathan and it's very straight forward.

I'll post my complete protocol next time.

So, I've been doing this for over three weeks now and next Monday (at 4 weeks and 3 days) I'll do my first follow up test. And I'll let you know the results.

Just now I'd rather not write about how I am feeling because I don't want to jinx it.


(Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. I am only searching for solutions and trying out things to improve my quality of life. Do not try anything I did. Always ask a qualified doctor for advice before trying something. All I am writing about are my personal experiences as my very own guinea pig. Everybody is different and I cannot be held responsible for anything anybody tries out.)