SPORTS

Glutathione and Sports

Glutathione and sports, how are they related?

Exercise and sport have benefits but they may be associated with a 10- to 20-fold increase in the oxygen uptake of the body. This activity in the muscle fibers of the arms and legs may increase by as much as 100- to 200-fold during exercise.

Prolonged exercise such as marathon running can cause increased oxygen demands on the muscles with subsequent injury to skeletal muscles, particularly in untrained individuals.

Studies since the early 80’s have suggested that during strenuous exercise, generation of these oxygen free radicals (inflammatory products) can overwhelm the tissue’s antioxidant defense systems. The result is what is called oxidative stress. The magnitude of the stress depends on the ability of the tissues to handle these excess free radicals. . This process also contributes to muscular fatigue during endurance events.

Several studies have confirmed the beneficial effects of glutathione in protecting the tissues against exercise induced stress. Antioxidant supplementation is likely to provide beneficial effects against exercise-induced stress and subsequent fatigue.

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