Dr. Pizzorno, the formulator of BioFoundation-G, provides his insight into the genesis of this product and the health benefits it supports
Below is a segment from the BioFoundation-G Product Insight:
Broad Nutritional Foundation with Advanced Glutathione Support
I created BioFoundation-G with several important goals in mind; to provide an optimal nutritional foundation of highly bioavailable nutrients at clinically relevant doses, to improve the detoxification of environmental pollutants by supporting glutathione synthesis, to enhance cellular energy metabolism and protect mitochondrial function, and to include key antioxidants and other biological modifiers which protect against today’s chronic diseases. The nutrient and botanicals I chose were guided by the latest research.
A large body of research points to shared underlying physiological dysfunctions underlying most modern diseases. For example, mitochondrial dysfunction is known to play a role in diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and many neurodegenerative diseases.1,2 Persistent environmental pollutants are both ubiquitous and toxic to many cellular functions, and are now well-established contributors to diabetes and insulin resistance, as well as obesity and hypertension.3,4,5 Recognition of these underlying causes of disease, combined with a better understanding of cellular physiology and intra-cellular signalling, suggests that many of us need more robust nutritional support, and that we need to expand the nutrients considered “basic” in a multivitamin. BioFoundation-G contains the broad spectrum of nutrients in one bottle that many physicians are currently recommending multiple supplements to achieve.
Why is glutathione so important?
Glutathione is the most abundant intracellular antioxidant, and plays a crucial role in shielding cellular macromolecules from endogenous and exogenous reactive oxygen/nitrogen species. Of at least equal importance, conjugation with glutathione is also one of the leading detoxification pathways for many environmental toxins, which can cause direct cellular damage when glutathione regeneration is overwhelmed.6 For example, organochlorine pesticides and PCBs are both known to deplete glutathione levels and increase oxidative damage, an effect countered by supplementation with N-acetylcysteine.7,8 Very recent research points to these and other persistent organic pollutants (POPs) as major drivers of diabetes and cardiovascular disease, with one large study documenting a 38-fold risk for those with the highest levels. Additionally, serum GGT (which metabolizes reduced glutathione, allowing for intracellular synthesis) has emerged as a potential biomarker for exposure not only to POPs, but also to other toxins such as lead, cadmium and other exogenous causes of oxidative stress.9,10 Thus, supporting glutathione synthesis helps to conjugate harmful toxins, as well as protect cells from their damage, which seems to be underlying many chronic diseases. BioFoundation-G contains 150 mg N-acetylcysteine and 250 mg alpha-lipoic acid per serving, both of which have been shown to increase glutathione levels, and to protect cells from numerous types of metal and organic toxins.11,12,13
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