does protein inhibit the absorption of anti-oxidants?

This is not possible. For example Immunotec Research distributes a undenatured whey protein called Immunocal. Immunocal has bonded cysteine. At the cellular level our cells will take the bonded cysteine and manufacture Glutathione. Glutathione is referred to by scientist as the master antioxidant. It is not referred to being the master antioxidant because our cells make it. It is called the master because Glutathione regulates every antioxidant known to man. None of the antioxidants that doctors are familar with would work were it not for the presence of Glutathione. Glutathione is the only antioxidant that can remove a free radical from within the cell. The antioxidants that most people are familar with are natural antioxidants but they are not natural to your body. Your body does not make vitamin C or Vitamin E. We introduce these antioxidants to our body through supplements and food. You would think that with all of the air pollution, carcinogens, second hand smoke etc. that our body's deal with on a daily basis it would make it's own antioxidant. And it does it's called Glutathione.

Here's what the Experts are saying about Glutathione

• Glutathione is a substance, the levels of which in our cells are predictive of how long we will live. There are very few other factors which are as predictive of our life expectancy as is our level of cellular glutathione. We literally cannot survive without this antioxidant," - Earl Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D.

• Glutathione is a tri-peptide of the amino acids cysteine, glycine, and glutamic acid. A deficiency of glutathione can cause hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells, leading to anemia) and oxidative stress. Glutathione is essential in intermediary metabolism ... for the detoxification of acetaminophen (Tylenol). - [PDR Medical Dictionary. Spraycar. 1999]

• "Without glutathione, other important antioxidants such as vitamins C and E cannot do their job adequately to protect your body against disease." - Breakthrough in Cell Defense, Allan Somersall, Ph.D., M.D., and Gustavo Bounous, M.D. FRCS(C).

• "No other antioxidant is as important to overall health as glutathione. It is the regulator and regenerator of immune cells and the most valuable detoxifying agent in the human body. Low levels are associated with hepatic dysfunction, immune dysfunction, cardiac disease, premature aging, and death." - The Immune System Cure, Lorna R. Vanderhaeghe & Patrick J.D. Bouic, Ph.D.

• "As Dr. Lombard points out in his book, "The Brain Wellness Plan," Glutathione is one of the most powerful antioxidants in the body. Depressed glutathione levels are associated with the increased generation of free radicals found in Parkinson’s patients, for example, and contributes to further brain cell death." - Excerpts from the Willner Window Radio Show: Program aired on 5-3-98

SELECTED MEDICAL REFERENCES

HEART DISEASE, STROKE AND CHOLESTEROL
Raised glutathione levels fight the oxidation of circulating fats in the bloodstream including cholesterol, retarding the process of plaque formation in the arteries - the underlying cause for most heart disease and stroke. NUTRITION REVIEWS 54: 1-30, 1996

DIABETES
Diabetics are more prone to infections and circulatory problems leading to heart disease, kidney failure and blindness Glutathione protects against the complication of diabetes. CLINICAL SCIENCE 91:575-582, 1996

LUNG DISEASE
Doctors have used glutathione-promoting drugs to treat many lung diseases including asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Fewer potential therapeutic roles can be found for cigarette smoke damage, pulmonary fibrosis and other illnesses. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE 307:119-127, 1994

DIGESTIVE DISEASES
Glutathione protects the body from the inflammation of gastritis, stomach ulcers, pancreatitis and inflammatory bowel disease including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease GUT 42: 485-492, 1998

HEPATITIS
The liver is the major storehouse for glutathione. Glutathione is impaired in alcoholic hepatitis as well as in viral hepatitis including hepatitis A, B, and C. Raised glutathione levels restore liver function. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY 91: 2569-2573, 1996

KIDNEY DISEASE
People with kidney failure or dialysis suffer from higher levels of oxidative stress and decreased glutathione levels. Raised glutathione levels help prevent anemia. NEPHRON 61: 404-408, 1992

PREGNANCY, LACTATION AND CHILDBIRTH
Glutathione's role in fetal and placental development is crucial. It also acts in the placenta to detoxify pollutants before they can reach the developing child. Many complications of pregnancy have been linked with poor glutathione levels. EARLY HUMAN DEVELOPMENT 37: 167-174, 1994


For more information on this subject feel free to contact me.
Dfarrish@starband.net