Increasing glutathione levels for therapy
The present invention concerns compositions and methods related to utilizing glycine and N-acetylcysteine for a variety of methods, including, for example, reducing deleterious effects of oxidative stress; treating and/or preventing diabetes; and/or increasing GSH levels.
1. A composition:
(a) consisting essentially of glycine and N-acetylcysteine; or
(b) consisting of glycine and n-acetylcysteine.
2. A method of reducing deleterious effects of oxidative stress in an individual, comprising the steps of providing an effective amount of glycine and N-acetylcysteine to the individual.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the individual is receiving treatment or has received treatment for diabetes.
4. A method of treating diabetes in an individual, comprising the step of providing an effective amount of glycine and n-acetylcysteine to the individual.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the glycine and n-acetylcysteine are provided to the individual in the same composition.
6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the glycine and n-acetylcysteine are provided orally to the individual.
7. A method of treating a medical condition in an individual, wherein the medical condition is associated with reduced glutathione levels, comprising the steps of:
a) identifying an individual in need of treatment of the medical condition; and
b) providing an effective amount of glycine and N-acetylcysteine to the individual.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the medical condition is diabetes or complications of diabetes.
9. A method of increasing GSH levels in an individual in need thereof, comprising the step of providing an effective amount of glycine and n-acetylcysteine to the individual, wherein the individual in need thereof is at least sixty years of age and/or has diabetes.
10. A method of reducing body weight, lowering cholesterol level, and/or lowering triglyceride level in an individual, comprising the step of providing an effective amount of glycine and n-acetylcysteine to the individual.
11. A method of treating an individual for one or more medical conditions, comprising the step of providing an effective amount of glycine and n-acetylcysteine to the individual, wherein the medical condition comprises:
(a) dyslipidemia and/or insulin resistance;
(b) obesity;
(c) fatty acid oxidation;
(d) diabetic dyslipidemia;
(e) elevated fatty acid levels;
(f) diabetic microvascular complication comprising nephropathy, retinopathy, and/or neuropathy;
(g) elevated cholesterol and/or triglyceride levels;
(h) fatty liver disease;
(i) neurodegenerative disease in aging; and/or
(j) statin-induced myopathy.