Click here for Our Skincare Division
Menu
OC 949-428-4500
LA 310-460-2444
OC 949-428-4500
LA 310-460-2444
Inside every cell in the body there is energy generating apparatus called mitochondria.
Mitochondria convert the oxygen we breathe and the food we eat into chemical energy called ATP. Everything a cell does, from its own maintenance to making important substances that other cells need (like insulin for example) is dependent on ATP. Without adequate amounts of ATP, the cell will quickly cease to function and then die.
The biochemical process of making ATP is an “oxidative” process, which means that it utilizes oxidizing elements within the chemical reactions that are taking place and the reactions produce chemical bi-products that are oxidants. (The scientific term for this is: “Oxidative phosphorylation”)
Generally speaking oxidizing elements are toxic to living cells, therefore the body must have the ability to neutralize these oxidizing bi-products with “anti-oxidant” molecules, which is precisely the job of glutathione. Our bodies produce large amounts of this antioxidant, which our cells use to stay healthy while they produce energy to live and function.In many of my articles I talk about how all the natural physiological forces within our bodies exist in opposing pairs… a kind of yin-yang duality wherein opposing forces are perfectly balanced in order for life to thrive.
This example of the absolutely necessary oxidative processes that create cellular energy (ATP), and the presence of anti-oxidants such as glutathione that balance the reaction is a perfect example of this duality.
The various cells of the dermis and epidermis that together make up our skin also have mitochondria. If they are not functioning properly, the skin will deteriorate and become diseased. Therefore, anything that can be done to increase the health and robust functioning of the mitochondria of skin cells, is a good thing.
It really is that simple… though not so easy to achieve.
In sum, all the organs of our body are subject to oxidative stress from the simple and essential physiological processes through which their cells create ATP, the biochemical energy for life. Accordingly, all cells of all organs must also be able to produce glutathione to counter the essential oxidative stress caused by this ATP production.
In addition to the generation of biochemical energy (ATP), glutathione also plays a critical role in:
Beyond normal and healthy oxidative processes that occur in cells (such as the creation of ATP), every disease state is associated with elevated levels of oxidative stress beyond what normal levels of glutathione can counteract. It is this oxidative damage that cause diminished function and eventually dysfunction of an organ.
Interestingly, regarding our skin, glutathione actually whitens our skin by inhibiting the production of our natural pigment (melanin). Accordingly, one would then expect that a huge number of skin whitening “miracle” products containing glutathione would flood the market, and in fact, there are some, but none of them are particularly effective. Apparently, this antioxidant is not easily absorbed into the cells of our epithelium (top layer of skin), where melanin is naturally produced. Thus to whiten our skin, glutathione must be administered through an IV.
Nugget: In some Asian cultures, white skin is highly valued. Thus, in cities throughout South Korea and Japan, you will find nail parlors side-by-side skin spas that give women glutathione IVs to whiten their skin.Is there anything we can do to increase our own production of glutathione?
The following nutritional supplements have been shown to increase glutathione production, especially in people who are suffering from a condition that impairs their ability to make it.
So… given how important glutathione is for our health, how can we get it in?
Intravenous administration (IV) is the only way. Hooking you up to an IV bag that contains glutathione is the only efficient way to get it into your body and our skin, where it can have an immediate positive effect on many aspects of your physiology as well as a therapy for many diseases.
Though not one of our patients, I observed a colleague Naturopathic Doctor care for one of her patients that was deathly ill from liver failure caused by the toxic “side-effects” of other medications he was taking. This patient had been scheduled for a liver transplant surgery prescribed by conventional MD’s who had been treating him.
Scared of the surgery, which has a very high probability of complications and death, he sought an out-of-the-box second opinion. My colleague administered a series of high doses of IV glutathione which resurrected his liver and saved his life. By the way, the liver transplant surgery would have cost approximately $600,000. The IVs cost about $2,000. So… makes you wonder doesn’t it?Because of glutathione’s remarkable positive and regenerative effects on so many organs and tissues throughout our bodies, in a integrative medical practice that is treating your skin, IV therapy that not only improves your overall health and wellbeing can be easily combined with IV elements that can improve your skin as well.
Therefore, when undergoing skin treatments such as: laser skin tightening, non-surgical face lift, neck and jowl tightening, laser skin resurfacing, scar removal treatments and stretch mark removal treatments, appropriate IV therapy can significantly improve the results of your procedures.
AMA Regenerative Medicine & Skincare | 1570 Brookhollow Dr., Santa Ana, CA 92705 | 6310 San Vicente Blvd STE 285, Los Angeles, CA, 90048 Disclaimer: though everything on our website comes directly from reputable publications and scientific journals; and though thousands of these articles are available on official government websites (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov), they have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the FDA has not certified, endorsed or approved any of the scientific findings as methods of treating or diagnosing any diseases or illnesses.
