Glutathione, the master antioxidant is produced naturally in the body, but over time, the body’s ability to produce glutathione diminishes and opens us up to the possibility of developing severe health issues.

The benefits of glutathione include:

• Antioxidant activity, lowering the impact of free radical activity
• Preventing cancer progression
• Reducing cell damage in liver disease
• Improving insulin resistance
• Reducing symptoms of Parkinson's disease
• Reducing ulcerative colitis damage
• Treating autism spectrum disorders

Glutathione has many essential functions, including:

• Making DNA, the building blocks of proteins and cells
• Supporting immune function
• Forming sperm cells for healthier reproduction
• Breaking down some free radicals
• Helping certain enzymes function
• Regenerating vitamins C and E
• Transporting mercury out of the brain, lowering heavy metals
• Helping the liver and gallbladder deal with fats
• Assisting regular cell death (a process known as apoptosis) – cell turnover is an important function to the health of the human body

Detoxification: Glutathione plays a central role in the detoxification process by binding to toxins, heavy metals, and other harmful substances and facilitating their removal from the body. It is particularly important for liver health, as the liver relies on glutathione to detoxify drugs, alcohol, and environmental toxins.

Immune Function: Glutathione supports immune function by enhancing the activity of immune cells, such as T cells and natural killer cells, and modulating inflammatory responses. It helps to regulate the immune system's response to pathogens and prevent excessive inflammation.

Skin Health: Glutathione has been studied for its potential benefits in promoting skin health and reducing the effects of aging. It can help to lighten skin pigmentation, reduce wrinkles and fine lines, and protect against UV-induced damage.

Chronic Diseases: Research suggests that glutathione may play a role in the prevention and treatment of various chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disorders (such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease), and cancer. Its antioxidant and detoxification properties may help to mitigate the risk factors associated with these conditions.

Overall, scientific evidence supports the important role of glutathione in maintaining overall health and well-being. However, more research is needed to fully understand its mechanisms of action and optimal therapeutic applications.

This powerful antioxidant, French Maritime Pine Extract offers a wide range of potential health benefits. Researchers have acknowledged its effects on everything from mental function to treating high blood pressure. Some health benefits of French Maritime Pine Extract include:

Helping People With Asthma

Asthma is caused by inflammation in the lungs, which makes it hard to breathe. Lung inflammation is caused by leukotrienes which are released by the body after a person encounters allergens.

Some people who have asthma have higher levels of leukotrienes markers in their blood. Studies have found that when taken along with an inhaler, French Maritime Pine Bark Extract can reduce the production of leukotrienes, resulting in lower lung inflammation and frequency of inhaler use.

Helps Relieve Arthritis Symptoms.

Osteoarthritis results when the cartilage in your joints wears down and inflammation ensues. This causes pain in areas that can include joints in their hands, fingers, and knees. French Maritime Pine Bark Extract has been shown to help relieve the pain associated with osteoarthritis by preventing blood chemicals from attacking the cartilage.

Improves Heart Health

French Maritime Pine Extract can help control blood pressure. Blood pressure is an important diagnostic read to indicate cardiovascular health. Too much pressure signals that there may be plaque in your arteries which can develop into heart problems like stroke or heart attack.

In one study, people with high blood pressure were examined to see how the supplement impacted their blood pressure. The study showed that many people who participated had a drop in their systolic blood pressure after taking French Maritime Pine Extract.

Systolic blood pressure measures how much blood is pumping from your heart to your arteries. You can find out your systolic blood pressure by looking at the top number of a blood pressure test. A high number signals high blood pressure.

Since French Maritime Pine Bark Extract is used for so many conditions, doses can vary. Typical doses range from 50 milligrams to 450 milligrams per day. People who use the supplement along with their traditional medication usually take smaller doses than those who only take the supplement.

French Maritime Pine Bark Extract can potentially lower cardiovascular issues, help those with asthma, and lower oxidative stress and menopausal symptoms in maturing women.

Improves Symptoms Associated With Menopause

Studies have shown that this tree bark can help decrease common symptoms including hot flashes, mood swings, irregular periods, and others due to menopause.

1. Can reduce blood pressure

A review of 16 studies in 810 people with high blood pressure or an elevated risk of it found that taking 100–2,000 mg of GSE daily significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure (the top and bottom number) by an average of 6.08 mmHg and 2.8 mmHg, respectively.

Those under the age of 50 with obesity or a metabolic disorder showed the greatest improvements. The most promising results came from lower doses of 100–800 mg daily for 8–16 weeks, rather than a single dose of 800 mg or more.

In 29 adults with high blood pressure found that taking 300 mg of GSE daily lowered systolic blood pressure by 5.6% and diastolic blood pressure by 4.7% after 6 weeks.

GSE may help reduce blood pressure, particularly in young to middle-aged people and those who have excess weight.

2. Can improve blood flow

In an 8 week study in 17 healthy postmenopausal women, taking 400 mg of GSE had blood-thinning effects, potentially reducing the risk of blood clots.

Another study in 8 healthy young women assessed the effects of a single 400-mg dose of proanthocyanidin from GSE immediately followed by 6 hours of sitting. It was shown to reduce leg swelling and edema by 70%, compared with not taking GSE.

In the same study, 8 other healthy young women who took a daily 133-mg dose of proanthocyanidins from GSE for 14 days experienced 40% less leg swelling after 6 hours of sitting.

GSE has been shown to improve blood flow and reduce the risk of blood clotting, which may benefit those with circulatory problems.

3. Could reduce oxidative damage

An elevated blood level of LDL (bad) cholesterol is a known risk factor for heart disease, significantly increasing this risk while playing a central role in atherosclerosis.

GSE supplements have been found to reduce LDL oxidation triggered by high fat diets.

When 8 healthy people ate a high fat meal, taking 300mg of GSE inhibited the oxidation of fats in the blood, compared with a 150% increase seen in the control group.

In another study, 61 healthy adults saw a 13.9% reduction in oxidized LDL after taking 400 mg of GSE. However, a similar study was unable to replicate these results.

In a research paper with 87 people undergoing heart surgery reported that taking 400 mg of GSE the day before surgery significantly reduced oxidative stress. Therefore, GSE likely protected against further heart damage.

There is some indication that GSE may help reduce your risk of heart disease by inhibiting the oxidation of Low Density Lipoprotein cholesterol and reducing oxidation to heart tissue when undergoing stress.

4. May improve collagen levels and bone strength

Dietary flavonoids may improve collagen synthesis and bone formation.

GSE, a rich flavonoid source may thus help increase your bone density and strength.

Studies have found that adding GSE to either a low calcium, standard, or high calcium diet can increase bone density, mineral content, and bone strength.

Studies have shown that GSE may suppress bone destruction in inflammatory autoimmune arthritis. (RA)

GSE also significantly reduced pain, bony spurs, and joint damage in osteoarthritic mice, improving collagen levels and reducing cartilage loss.

However, researchers believe that these results require further investigation.

Studies are showing promising results regarding GSE’s ability to help treat arthritic conditions and promote collagen health.

5. Supports your brain as it ages

Flavonoids are thought to delay or reduce the onset of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease.

Gallic acid, a component of GSE which studies have shown can inhibit the formation of fibrils by beta-amyloid peptides.

Clusters of beta-amyloid proteins in the brain are characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease.

GSE studies indicate that it may prevent memory loss, improve cognitive status and brain antioxidant levels, and reduce brain lesions and amyloid clusters.

A 12-week study in 111 healthy older adults found that taking 150 mg of GSE daily improved attention, language, and both immediate and delayed memory.

Human studies on the use of GSE in adults with preexisting memory or cognitive deficits is still needed to help determine how effective GSE is in the diet.

GSE shows potential to slow many of the degenerative characteristics of brain and cognitive decline, but more human studies are needed.

6. Can improve kidney function

Your kidneys are particularly susceptible to irreversible oxidative damage.

GSE may reduce kidney damage and improve function by reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory damage.

23 people in a study were diagnosed with chronic renal failure. They were given 2 grams of GSE daily for 6 months and then compared with a placebo group. Urinary protein decreased by 3% and kidney filtration improved by 9%.

This means that the kidneys of those in the test group were much better able to filter urine than the kidneys of those in the placebo group.

Researchers believe that GSE has the potential to possibly offer protection against damage from oxidative stress and inflammation, thus promoting kidney health.

7. Can inhibit infectious growth

GSE displays promising antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Studies have shown that GSE inhibits the growth of common foodborne bacteria, including Campylobacter and E. coli, both of which are often responsible for severe food poisoning and abdominal upset.

GSE has been found to inhibit 43 strains of antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria in studies performed in the laboratory.

GSE is widely used in traditional medicine as a remedy for candida albicans.

Mice with vaginal candidiasis were given an intravaginal GSE solution every 2 days for 8 days. The infection was inhibited after 5 days and gone after 8 days.

Further human studies are required to determine its efficacy.

GSE may inhibit a variety of microbes and offer protection against antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains, foodborne bacterial illnesses, and fungal infections like candida.

8. May reduce cancer risk

The causes of cancer are complex, though DNA damage is a central characteristic.

A high intake of antioxidants, from sources including flavonoids and proanthocyanidins, are associated with a reduced risk of various cancers.

The antioxidant activity of GSE has shown potential to inhibit human breast, lung, gastric, oral squamous cell, liver, prostate, and pancreatic cell lines.

GSE appears to protect against oxidative stress and liver toxicity while targeting chemotherapy action on the cancerous cells.

A review of 41 animal studies found that either GSE reduced cancer-induced toxicity and damage in all but one of the studies.

Keep in mind that the anticancer and chemopreventive potential of GSE and its proanthocyanidins may not be directly transferable to people with cancer.

More studies in humans are needed.

In lab studies, GSE has been shown to inhibit cancer in various human cell types. GSE also appears to reduce chemotherapy-induced toxicity in animal studies without negatively affecting treatment. More human-based research is needed.

9. May protect your liver

Your liver plays an important role in detoxifying harmful substances introduced to your body through drugs, viral infections, pollutants, alcohol, and more.

GSE appears to have a protective effect on your liver.

In test-tube studies, GSE reduced inflammation, recycled antioxidants, and protect against free radical damage during toxin exposure.

The liver enzyme alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is a key indicator of liver toxicity, meaning that its levels rise when the liver has sustained damage.

In one study, 15 people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and subsequent high ALT levels were given GSE for 3 months. Liver enzymes were monitored monthly, and results were compared with taking 2 grams of vitamin C per day.

After 3 months, the GSE group experienced a 46% reduction in ALT, while the vitamin C group showed little change.

GSE appears to protect your liver against drug-induced toxicity and damage. However, more human studies are needed.

10. Enhances wound healing and appearance

Several animal studies have found GSE can aid wound healing.

Human studies show promise as well.

In one such study, 35 healthy adults who had undergone minor surgery were given either a 2% GSE cream or placebo. Those using the GSE cream experienced full wound healing after 8 days, while the placebo group took 14 days to heal.

These results are most likely due to high levels of proanthocyanidins in GSE triggering the release of growth factors in the skin.

In another 8-week study in 110 healthy young men, a 2% GSE cream improved skin.