The single most startling report about COVID-19, to me, was the one that showed a high correlation between seniors with "long COVID" and low levels of the antioxidant Glutathione, which the body naturally produces but decreasingly with age. I know that correlation does not imply causation, but I figured that it can't hurt to remove myself from this highly correlated population. After all, it was the oldest seniors who were suffering from the longest COVID-19. I'm not there yet, but why wait?
Many FReepers here have told of taking the NAC supplement (probably you all). NAC is a precursor to Glutathione, meaning that NAC increases the body's natural Glutathione production. Those same FReepers (probably you all) have mentioned that the government is pulling NAC off the shelves and moving to make it by prescription only.
Glutathione Reduced is also available as a supplement. I figured that I could take it directly and skip the precursor. But then I've been reading that NAC and Glutathione both suffer from bioavailability, the ability to survive the digestive process and actually get into the bloodstream.
The next step in my journey was to find the precursor with high bioavailability, and that seems to be Sulforaphane (cultivated from broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables).
I found this 14 minute Youtube video describing the bioavailability of Glutathione and NAC, and it is what led me to Sulforaphane. I stopped my research at this point and figured that Sulforaphane was the best alternative to NAC.
I'm really interested in fellow FReeper thoughts on this video as it relates to NAC vs Glutathione vs Sulforaphane, and possibly Glucoraphanin and Myrosinase. I bought a Sulforaphane + Myrosinase supplement that I started taking about a month ago. I also have a Glutathione Reduced supplement that I'm taking (alternating with Sulforaphane) until it runs out.
Thanks in advance for any comments.
-PJ
I bought some Brocco Max a few months ago and have taken it occasionally. It sounds like it may be better than NAC or reduced glutathione, but I don’t really know. I also had some reduced glutathione on hand that I added to the supplement regimen when my wife tested positive. I was keeping it in reserve in case one of us actually got COVID. Something I like about NAC is that it’s less expensive than the others. I stocked up on NAC early in the pandemic, so I don’t know if the supply issues have driven up the price of NAC.