Cancer and Glutathione

Cancer starts from the cell.  When certain cells become abnormal they divide without control and then are able to invade other tissues.  These abnormal cells  spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph system.

How do normal cells become cancer cells?

Normal cells grow and divide in a controlled way to produce more cells.   When cells become old and damaged, they die and are replaced with new cells. This growth is important in keeping the body healthy.  However,  this normal process of cell division can sometimes go wrong.  

Mutations that affect normal cell growth can occur.  The genetic material (DNA) of a cell can be damaged and when this happens some cells may not die when they should but instead form new but abnormal cells that the body doesn't need.  The extra cells form a mass of tissue called tumor.  Oxidative stress plays an integral role in the cancer process.

What is oxidative stress?

Oxidative stress is essentially an imbalance between the production of free radicals and the ability of the body to counteract or detoxify their harmful effects through neutralization by antioxidants.

"Free radicals are toxic molecules within cells that are produced naturally as the body breaks down food; but they also can form as a result of exposure to environmental factors such as pollution, pesticides, tobacco smoke, industrial chemicals/cleaners, and solar radiation."

How can glutathione protect the cells?

Glutathione has been shown to stimulate apoptosis  (cell death) of malignant cells while leaving healthy cells unaffected.

Dr Don Colbert discusses our body's Master Antioxidant, Glutathione, and how it can protect cells from damaging toxins, free radicals, radiation and chemicals.