3. An even more intriguing benefit of glutathione lies in its powerful detoxification ability.

Its a well known fact that most Parkinson’s patients are deficient in their ability to detoxify chemicals to which they are exposed.

The unfortunate few who harbor an inherited flaw in their detoxification pathways are at far greater risk to brain damaging effects of a wide variety of toxins.

Glutathione is one of most important components of liver’s detoxification system. Glutathione therapy is one of most effective techniques for enhancing liver and brain detoxification.

Glutathione treatments considerably improve some of symptoms of Parkinson's disease including difficulties with rigidity, walking, movement, coordination and speech. A marked reduction of tremor has been observed as well as a decrease in depression.

Glutathione and N-acetyl-L-cysteine (a glutathione precursor) have been shown to be very effective in protecting nerves in substantia nigra from being destroyed by oxidative stress.

Glutathione Therapy in Parkinson's Disease

The practical problem in increasing glutathione levels is that taking glutathione itself as a supplement does not boost cellular glutathione levels, since glutathione breaks down in digestive tract before it reaches cells.

However, intravenous glutathione therapy and taking glutathione precursors are both effective in boosting intracellular levels of glutathione.

Intravenous Glutathione Therapy:

Intravenous glutathione injections have been shown to have amazing and quick results.

Dr. David Perlmutter, a pioneer in this therapy, has developed a protocol utilized at Perlmutter Health Center for administering intravenous glutathione to Parkinson's patients.

Following even a single dosage of intravenous glutathione - often in as little as 15 minutes - ability to walk, turn around and move their arms is almost completely restored.

Glutathione Precursors:

Dietary antioxidants and supplements that increase cellular glutathione, such as alpha lipoic acid, NAC, pycnogenol, herb silymarin (milk thistle), are effective in restoring normal function.

N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) and un-denatured, whey protein both supply glutathione precursors intracellularly, enhance body’s production of glutathione and aid detoxification process.

Other nutritional supplements which aid detoxification process include selenium, vitamins E and C.

For a detailed report with references on Parkinson's Disease and Glutathione visit: http://www.1whey2health.com/parkinsons_glutathione.htm

The most important question, however, remains unanswered: Why do Europeans have such a habit?

Dr. Zilberter suggests that smaller European portions are result of higher fat consumption leading to higher Fat Burning Index of European meals and resulting in decreased appetite.

Banta Diet program uses high Fat Burning Index foods and recipes to free you from hunger, cravings, and counting fats, carbs, or calories. The portions become smaller naturally.

------- * Obesity is defined in terms of Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI is formula describing relationship between body weight and height. Some dietitians use BMI as a measure of body fat.