For cognitive function issues, IV therapy from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre (TFMC) can potentially offer support. In fact, when a glutathione nutritional drip and oral supplements are combined with healthy daily practices and other health interventions (i.e. allopathic or naturopathic treatments), they can promote optimal functioning.

If you were to visit our clinicians for memory loss or brain fog linked to aging, we may educate you about taking glutathione as oral supplementation, intravenous therapy or in both forms. This is because biologically, the brain requires antioxidants to maintain balance into the golden. years, and glutathione contains strong antioxidant effects. 

This article explains what this nutrient is, how it affects brain health, and details on becoming a new patient at TFMC. 

What is glutathione?

This is a powerful antioxidant that combines three amino acids: glycine, glutamic acid, and cysteine. Also known as GSH, it aids cellular health in the conversion of food to much-needed energy. It also helps regulate immune function and protects the human body from oxidative damage. 

Though it boasts impressive roles in cellular functioning, lacking GSH can weaken overall functioning. Glutathione depletion can happen when your dietary intake of nutrients is low; when chronic stress is high; and when you’ve been exposed to toxic elements. 

Glutathione has been thought to decline as we age, and this deficit is linked to certain health conditions, including cystic fibrosis, diabetes, and Parkinson’s. GSH shortages are related to the overall aging process, exacerbating weakness and frailty as we mature. 

How does glutathione affect brain health?

As people age, brain function can alter. The National Institute on Aging says, “Certain parts of the brain shrink, including those important to learning and other complex mental activities.” Also, neuronal communication may lessen and brain blood flow may wane as we mature. These alterations can affect individuals who are already healthy, and they can be surprising when we can’t pick up new tasks or recall certain information. 

Upping glutathione may promote beneficial effects on brain health, which can foster cellular healing in the human body. In particular it may help protect against reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS are molecular by-products of metabolized cells; however, high amounts of ROS are known to instigate damage on a cellular level, which can cause various symptoms of an aging brain (i.e. reduced mental clarity). It’s actually been suggested that Alzheimer’s may also be  linked to low GSH levels. As glutathione is a potent antioxidant, it can help protect cellular functions by encouraging the removal of ROS. Various medical journals agree that GSH’s detoxifying effects show promise in playing a vital role in sustaining brain function. 

So, ask yourself this: do your body’s levels of vitamins and minerals currently measure up? Have you noticed memory being “off” lately? Let’s discover what’s going on in your body with functional medicine testing from our private downtown clinic. We can run a metabolomics test to see if you’re lacking major antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and essential nutrients; the results from this test could unveil the source of any changes to your cognitive function. We would then use these results to help us tailor a treatment plan for your cognitive needs. Oral supplementation may be advised to increase your antioxidant intake for improving your daily brain function. For supportive measures, a custom-made IV drip with glutathione and/or other natural ingredients may be prescribed, which can include vitamin C (ascorbic acid), folic acid, a medley of amino acids, NAD , vitamin A, trace minerals, and other key nutrients. These intravenous drips may contribute to optimal health when administered with regular oral supplements, healthy eating and other functional therapies. Learn below how to become a new patient of the TFMC. 

Suggested Reading: Dehydration Can Affect Anxiety – Our IV Therapy Toronto Clinic Explains

How do I become a patient at the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre?

Joining our clinic is easy: 

1. 1. Attend an initial consultation with our functional medicine healthcare provider.
   2. During this session, you tell us about your genetics/medical history, lifestyle, environmental surroundings, health goals and wellness struggles. We may recommend lab services to quantify certain elements, such as hormonal imbalances and mineral deficiencies. 
   3. We analyze your unique core components (including lab results) to design your treatment plan!

With 50 years of combined experience, we can cater to a wide range of health conditions, such as those affecting immune health, food sensitivities, muscle recovery, physical performances, nutritional deficiency, inflammatory bowel disease, autoimmune diseases, skin elasticity, chronic fatigue syndrome, fatty liver disease, and other health concerns. 

As we adhere to an individualized approach to wellness, each treatment plan is adapted for biological needs only. Your treatment plan may contain several modalities to help draw symptom relief from, including acupuncture, Western medicine, naturopathy, hormone replacement therapies, vitamin injection therapies and intravenous therapy drips. 

Intravenous infusion drips from our IV Lounge are dosed with the principles of functional medicine. We compound intravenous drips on a daily basis to provide you with a fresh IV drip every time –no added preservatives/fillers! Sessions are monitored for safety by our team of naturopathic doctors, registered nurses and nurse practitioners. If there’s anything we can do to support your comfort level in our IV Lounge, let us know – we’ve designed it to be a place to sit back, relax, and reap the possible health benefits of IV vitamin drips. If necessary, we can also prescribe vitamin B12, glutathione, and vitamin D injections in our IV Lounge.  

What’s the root of your chronic inflammation and brain fog? Understanding this could open the windows to new health strategies! Reach out to get your treatment plan customized – the first step is easy. Just click here to request IV therapy from our Toronto clinic. 

Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. You should always consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of information you have read from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre website or other affiliate media. 

 

References

Dringen, R. (2000). Metabolism and functions of glutathione in brain. Progress in Neurobiology, 62(6), 649-671. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0301-0082(99)00060-X

Giorgi, C., Marchi, S., Simoes, C. M., Ren, Z., Morciano, G., Perrone, M., Patalas-Krawczyk, P., Borchard, S., Jȩdrak, P., Pierzynowska, K., Szymański, J., Wang, D. Q., Portincasa, P., Wȩgrzyn, G., Zischka, H., Dobrzyn, P., Bonora, M., Duszynski, J., Rimessi, A., . . . Wieckowski, M. R. (2018). Mitochondria and Reactive Oxygen Species in Aging and Age-Related Diseases. International Review of Cell and Molecular Biology, 340, 209. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.ircmb.2018.05.006

Hashimoto, S., Matsuba, Y., Takahashi, M., Kamano, N., Watamura, N., Sasaguri, H., Takado, Y., Yoshihara, Y., Saito, T., & Saido, T. C. (2023). Neuronal glutathione loss leads to neurodegeneration involving gasdermin activation. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-27653-w

Maldonado, E., Urbina, F., & Solari, A. (2023). Aging Hallmarks and the Role of Oxidative Stress. Antioxidants, 12(3), 651. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12030651

Pizzorno J. Glutathione! Integr Med (Encinitas). 2014 Feb;13(1):8-12. PMID: 26770075; PMCID: PMC4684116.

“Understanding the Dynamics of the Aging Process” from the National Institue on Aging, NIH, viewed on April 9, 2024. 

Wu, G., Lupton, J. R., Turner, N. D., Fang, Y., & Yang, S. (2004). Glutathione Metabolism and Its Implications for Health. The Journal of Nutrition, 134(3), 489-492. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/134.3.489