Improving the chances of survival of COVID-19 positive individuals is one of the top priorities, and an important area of research during this pandemic. Long known as a good indicator of overall health, researchers are discovering correlations between glutathione levels in the body, to COVID-19 survival. A recent study published by the American Chemical Society shows conclusively that COVID-19 patients who are glutathione deficient are far more likely to experience severe symptoms, and to die of COVID-19.

With the backlog of vaccines globally, the emergence of deadlier strains of COVID-19, and the absence of a 100% effective vaccine, there is very much still a need to find means to either avoid being infected by COVID-19, or to improve the recovery rate among those who are infected. 

Strictly following World Health Organization (WHO) recommended health protocols is still the best way for the unvaccinated to minimize the risk of getting COVID-19, but dietary and lifestyle interventions can minimize transmission, and also improve survival rates in the event of infection.

While COVID-19 seems to infect and kill indiscriminately, as a general rule the numbers have been consistent. The elderly, those with conditions (comorbidities) such as hypertension, cancer, COPD and other chronic illnesses, smokers, as well as men, are more likely to have severe symptoms, and to die of COVID-19 than those who don’t fall into any of those categories. Combinations of these risk factors also further increase the chanes of severe symptoms and death.

In the “Philippines Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation Report #63”, published by the WHO on November 25, 2020, data from the Philippines shows that most confirmed positive COVID-19 cases from January 18 to November 25 of 2020 were between the ages 20 to 29 (26.5%) and 30 to 39 (24%). However, the most fatalities are between the ages 60 to 69.

There are nearly double the fatalities in the 50 to 59 age range as the 40 to 49 age range, despite the fact that there are far fewer confirmed cases in the 50 to 59 range as there are in the 40 to 49 range. Men are more likely to get the disease as 55% of all positive cases have been men, but they are even more likely to die of it, 60% of the deaths have been men. There is absolutely no doubt that COVID-19 hits older people harder.

Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has conclusively identified these comorbidities: cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic lung diseases, dementia or other neurological conditions, diabetes (types 1 and 2), down syndrome, heart conditions including hypertension, HIV, weakened immune system, liver disease, obesity, pregnancy, sickle cell disease, previous organ or blood stem cell transplant, stroke or cerebrovascular disease. 

Glutathione deficiency is inevitable as individuals age, and it is also an underlying condition of most of the comorbidities that are risk factors for COVID-19. The article entitled “Endogenous Deficiency of Glutathione as the Most Likely Cause of Serious Manifestation and Death in COVID-19 Patients” concludes among other things that: “The severity of clinical manifestations in COVID-19 patients is apparently determined by the degree of impaired redox homeostasis attributable to the deficiency of reduced glutathione and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production.” The article further adds: “COVID-19 patients with moderate to severe illness had lower levels of glutathione, higher ROS levels, and greater redox status than patients with mild illness.”

So what is the role of glutathione in protecting against COVID-19? Glutathione is a substance that is actually produced in the bodies of humans as well as some animals. As we age, glutathione production gradually decreases, when we begin to see and feel the effects of aging, it means glutathione production has gotten low, and because of this, we benefit from it less. It is then that we become prone to the many possible problems that come with aging such as reduced physical and cognitive function, susceptibility to lifestyle diseases, vulnerability to infectious diseases, muscle pain, joint pain, hair loss, wrinkles, and most of the comorbidities that are risk factors for COVID-19.

Glutathione is probably the most important known antioxidant in humans. It is scientifically proven to have a synergistic effect with vitamin C in boosting the immune system. A strong immune system is crucial in both preventing COVID-19 and aiding in survival in positive cases. 

Glutathione also helps the body absorb vitamin D. Separate studies on COVID-19 show a correlation between severe COVID-19 symptoms and vitamin D deficiency. However the ACS study which looked at the correlation between vitamin D absorption in the body and glutathione levels had this conclusion: “This study provides important information that glutathione is essential for the control of endogenous vitamin D biosynthesis and demonstrates potential benefits of GSH treatment in reducing the deficiency of vitamin D. Taken together, these findings suggest that glutathione deficiency rather than vitamin D deficiency is a primary cause underlying biochemical abnormalities, including the decreased biosynthesis of vitamin D, and is responsible for serious manifestations and death in COVID-19 patients.”

Glutathione benefits virtually every aspect of physical health. Because of its sweeping benefits, increased glutathione intake is recommended for numerous health conditions. Glutathione can be found in fresh fruits and vegetables. Oral supplementation with known high quality glutathione supplements such as Snowcaps can help compensate for dietary gaps. 

A Snowcaps (https://www.facebook.com/snowcapsPH) capsule contains 500mg of the highest quality L-glutathione from Japan. It is in Japan where the pioneering research and development of glutathione as a health supplement began. L-glutathione has been a widely prescribed supplement for a broad range of health conditions in Japan for over 40 years. Snowcaps(@snowcapsPH) is a quality product of Vida Nutriscience (VNI), a company with a proud history of introducing innovative health, wellness and beauty products to the Philippine market.

Disclaimer:

To minimize the further spread of COVID-19, it is vital to follow WHO and government recommended health protocols. Glutathione supplementation should never be used as a substitute for WHO and FDA approved COVID-19 vaccines.

ADVT.