Environmental Toxins Increase Need for Glutathione

Chemicals are everywhere in today’s world -- whether you feel, smell, inhale, or ingest them. One of the most important things you can do to support detoxification is to keep up your glutathione stores, the foundation of your antioxidant system.

Pesticides, herbicides, bisphenols, PCBs, DDT, solvents found in paint, lacquer, glue, cleaning supplies, industrial soap, degreasers, paint stripper, ink, synthetic rubber, cosmetics, dental amalgams, plastics, endocrine disruptors from the coating of paper plates and cups, lining of cans, and more contribute to the total environmental toxic load. Tobacco, alcohol, medications, anesthesia, and these other chemicals must be detoxified out of your body with the help of glutathione and other essential nutrients. 

These small ongoing environmental exposures gradually deplete cellular glutathione levels which take away from its support in other parts of your body. This leads to increased oxidative stress and low-level cellular inflammation that affects gene expression and increases the development of the autoimmune breakdown. 

In the last 30 years, there has been an astonishing 19.1% increase each year in prevalence and incidence of autoimmune disease related to chronic low-level environmental toxin exposure. Your glutathione stores directly influence how well your body can manage daily chemical exposures and risk of immune overload. 

Prenatal Health and Children 

Infants and the preborn are the most vulnerable and susceptible to chemicals, toxins, and alcohol intake, etc. Hundreds of chemicals find their way into the uterus and umbilical cord blood that the preborn must metabolize and detoxify. Otherwise, these compounds get stored in fat cells affecting the neuroendocrine system. These chemicals are also found in breastmilk.

From family planning stages, pregnancy, and breastfeeding, babies rely on the mom’s nutrition and pull from her nutritional reserves to manage the effects of oxidative stress. Glutathione and a nutrient rich, clean organic diet must be present in mom to detoxify everyday toxins throughout these times. 

Your child’s health is especially vulnerable to fire retardants, diesel exhaust and traffic pollution, formaldehydes, and the forever chemicals in the food and water supply. Small toxic exposures change sex hormone receptors and affect endocrine and gene expression affecting the growth and development of children. Many of these toxins are linked with early puberty. These toxins also contribute to obesity and are called “obesogens” for all ages.

Consider investing in an organic mattress or wool mattress pad for your infant/child to avoid fire-retardant chemicals during sleep. Reduce plastic use as much as possible. Choose organic or farmer’s market whole foods as much as possible. Reduce/avoid sugars, food colorings, and additives as much as possible. Optimize your glutathione status for yourself and generations to come to manage and minimize the effects of forever chemicals on you!

 Learn more about glutathione in our recent article, Glutathione: Why This Master Antioxidant Is So Important.

Additional related resources: 

Glutathione Antioxidant for Cell Life and Vitality

Hidden Obesogens in Foods, Beverages, and Environment Disrupt Metabolism

Feminine Hygiene Products: Protect Yourself from Hidden Toxins 

I3C+DIM Provide Powerful Cell Protection and Xenobiotic Detoxification 

Precocious Puberty – A Growing Dilemma for Today’s Children

Common Household Disinfectants Lead to Obesity in Preschoolers

Plastic Outrage – Children in Danger

Maternal Immune Activation and Autism Spectrum Disorders

Fluoride Affects Brain Health in Children, Fertility, Thyroid Function

Diesel Exhaust Causes Strain on Heart, Brain, Liver, Lungs, and Pancreas

How PCBs Damage the Developing Brain

Endocrine Disruptor Compounds and Your Hormones 

Glyphosate in Water, Soil, Food – Protect Your Health