TLDR;
This episode of the Human Upgrade podcast features Dave Asprey interviewing Dr. Nan Patel about glutathione, a master antioxidant crucial for detoxification and overall health. They discuss innovative transdermal delivery systems for glutathione, its role in reducing oxidative stress, boosting the immune system, and its synergistic effects with other longevity supplements like NAD and sertuins. The conversation highlights the benefits of glutathione for brain health, emotional resilience, and athletic performance, while also cautioning against excessive use.
- Transdermal delivery of glutathione via water channels allows for rapid absorption and cellular uptake, surpassing the effectiveness of IVs and liposomal forms.
- Glutathione reduces oxidative stress, supports mitochondrial function, and enhances the body's ability to regenerate and rejuvenate cells.
- Glutathione boosts the immune system by increasing cytokine production and aiding the body's defense against infections.
- Combining glutathione with supplements like Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and CoQ10 can enhance its effects.
- Excessive use of topical glutathione can lead to adverse effects like headaches, fatigue, and rashes due to rapid detoxification.
Introduction to Transdermal Delivery Systems [1:09]
Nan Patel discusses transdermal delivery systems, highlighting two primary methods: passive diffusion using oil-based systems and active transport via water-based systems. The conventional approach involves passive diffusion, where substances mixed with fat droplets are applied to the skin and absorbed gradually. Patel's innovative method uses sugar technology to deliver compounds through the skin's water channels, enabling rapid and direct entry into the body. This active transport system bypasses the fat layer, resulting in immediate effects, such as pain relief from sunburn. The delivery system of a supplement can significantly impact its biological effects, similar to how different types of exercise affect the body.
The Importance of Glutathione [3:39]
Nan Patel explains his journey into researching glutathione, driven by a desire to solve health problems rather than just manage them. He discovered glutathione's potential for anti-aging and its crucial role in cellular health. Traditional methods like liposomal and intravenous glutathione have limitations in effectively reaching the cells. Patel's research focused on developing a method to bypass physical and chemical barriers to deliver glutathione directly into the cells, leading to the creation of a transdermal spray that utilizes water channels for rapid absorption.
Glutathione and Brain Health [7:38]
The discussion shifts to the effects of glutathione on brain health. Exogenous glutathione typically doesn't cross the blood-brain barrier, but Patel's transdermal product has been shown to reach the brain, as demonstrated by MRI scans detecting increased glutathione levels in the brain after application. This delivery method can help reduce oxidative stress in the brain, potentially improving brain function and helping with conditions like Parkinson's. While IVs, liposomes, and oral capsules can raise glutathione levels, they often have a delayed reaction as the body breaks them down into cysteine, which is then used to produce glutathione.
Benefits of Topical Glutathione [10:19]
The benefits of topical glutathione, especially for those over 40, are discussed. As the body's ability to synthesize glutathione diminishes with age, a method to bypass absorption barriers becomes crucial. Topical application allows glutathione to enter the system directly, yielding better outcomes, often within two weeks. Applying the spray to inflamed areas can provide targeted relief, with any excess being distributed throughout the body. The convenience and effectiveness of the topical spray make it a cost-effective alternative to IV treatments.
Glutathione's Role in Reducing Oxidative Stress [14:14]
Glutathione is highlighted for its role in reducing oxidative stress, which is a primary factor in aging and mitochondrial dysfunction. By removing oxidative stress, glutathione allows the body to focus on rejuvenation and regeneration. Increasing glutathione levels can stimulate mitogenesis, the creation of new mitochondria, which is essential for longevity. While big pharma has attempted to create glutathione products, they have been unsuccessful due to the difficulty of getting glutathione inside the cells.
Glutathione and High Performers [18:07]
The conversation addresses what happens when high performers stop using glutathione. Nan Patel shares his experience of taking a break from glutathione and discovering that his levels were low, even though his oxidative stress markers were also low. This indicates that the glutathione was being effectively utilized by the body. Unlike hormones, glutathione does not have a negative feedback mechanism, so the body doesn't stop producing it when you supplement. Glutathione can also improve emotional resilience by reducing oxidative stress in the brain, enabling better cognitive function and emotional responses.
Future of Glutathione Delivery [23:35]
The potential for a glutathione pump or smart wearable that sprays glutathione on the skin when inflammation is detected is explored. Patel expresses a desire to reduce the need for daily glutathione use by encouraging people to adopt healthier behaviors, such as avoiding alcohol, pollution, and toxic chemicals. He emphasizes that aging is a result of multiple factors, and reducing exposure to these factors can decrease the need for glutathione supplementation.
Optimal Glutathione Usage and Dosage [25:19]
The discussion covers the best time to use glutathione, noting that it is need-based and often required after eating or taking medications due to the detoxification processes. Glutathione does not suppress muscle growth from exercise, unlike other antioxidants. In fact, it can improve exercise tolerance and reduce muscle pain. High glutathione levels before potential head trauma can reduce the risk of brain injury by mitigating reactive oxygen species.
Stacking Glutathione with Other Supplements [29:45]
The best supplements to stack with glutathione are explored. Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and CoQ10 are recommended to help convert oxidized glutathione back to its reduced form, ensuring optimal antioxidant activity. Nicotine and glutathione pair well together, as nicotine can increase reactive oxygen species in neurons, and glutathione can protect the nervous system from the resulting oxidative stress. Glutathione becomes a primary stack for everything else because it reduces oxygen stress, allowing the body to rejuvenate and regenerate new cells.
Glutathione and Longevity [34:43]
The role of glutathione in gene expression and its interplay with sertuins are examined. While the effects on gene expression are still under investigation, glutathione is known to be an ATP and energy-sparing molecule. It preserves NAD levels, which are crucial for mitochondrial function and longevity. Sertuins, which promote longevity, work best when there is low stress inside the cells, and glutathione helps maintain this low-stress environment. Glutathione preserves NAD, which helps sertuins function, and sertuins, in turn, help glutathione function.
Glutathione Dosage and Potential Overdose [38:53]
The importance of proper dosage is emphasized, noting that more is not always better. While it's difficult to overdose on IV or oral forms of glutathione, it is possible to overdose on the topical version. Excessive use of the topical spray can lead to a Herxheimer reaction, causing headaches, fatigue, diarrhea, and rashes due to rapid detoxification. A typical bottle contains 240 sprays, and the recommended usage is four sprays twice a day.
Additional Benefits of Glutathione [42:09]
An unexpected benefit of glutathione is its role as an immune booster. Research has shown that glutathione can increase cytokine production and reduce the load of microbacterium infections in the blood. This suggests that glutathione helps the body attack infections by reducing cellular stress.
Future of Peptide Research [44:49]
Nan Patel shares his future research plans, focusing on peptides and bio-regulators. He aims to enhance the body's natural peptides to promote regeneration and rejuvenation, potentially extending human lifespan beyond 180 years. He is working on delivering small peptides endogenously into cells to achieve long-lasting positive effects.