Glutathione for human health

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Glutathione (GSH) is an important antioxidant in plants, animals, fungi, and some bacteria and archaea. Glutathione is capable of preventing damage to important cellular components caused by reactive oxygen species such as free radicals, peroxides, lipid peroxides, and heavy metals. in addition to its function as an antioxidant, glutathione also stimulates T cell energy metabolism. This stimulation allows T cells to generate an optimal immune response and fight off pathogens. This discovery may lead to new therapies against cancer and autoimmune diseases. It is a tripeptide with a gamma peptide linkage between the carboxyl group of the glutamate side chainand the amine group of cysteine, and the carboxyl group of cysteine is attached by normal peptide linkage to a glycine.