The Glutathione Index measures the ratio between your “fully-loaded” glutathione and “spent” or oxidised glutathione in red blood cells.  This is the best measure of your antioxidant potential which indicates your ability to neutralise harmful oxidants created both by your body and brain’s metabolism, and from smoking and pollution.

It is not possible to accurately predict your antioxidant potential just from the food you eat.  The variation in antioxidants in, for example, a carrot is 40-fold.  While eating five portions of fruit and vegetables a day is a good maxim, whether or not you are achieving the optimal antioxidant protection from your diet and/or supplements, such as vitamin C, is reflected by your Glutathione Index.  The interpretation of your result enables you to take action to optimise your anti-aging antioxidant potential.

A desirable level is above 500.  Below 400 is an indicator that you need to increase your intake of antioxidants from food and/or supplements, and/or reduce your intake of oxidants from smoking, pollution or fried food.  Glutathione is related to the pace of aging and the activity of antioxidant enzymes which are depleted in those with cognition decline.  It is also part of your DRIfT (Dementia Risk Index functional Test) score.

This measures methylation, your need for B vitamins. Faulty methylation damages the brain and circulation and is the single best indicator of cognitive health. Homocysteine goes up when methylation is impaired, indicating a greater need for B vitamins, especially B6, B12 and folate.

Lowering homocysteine has been shown to reduce brain shrinkage by up to 73% in those with adequate omega-3 DHA. A lower homocysteine level is associated with less cardiovascular and stroke risk, osteoporosis, depression, cognitive decline. Homocysteine is a biomarker for over 100 diseases, especially mental and neurological diseases. You can have raised homocysteine due to poor B12 absorption.The only way to know is to test.

Above 11 µmol/L is associated with accelerated brain shrinkage. 7 µmol/L or less is probably optimal. We recommend supplementation with B vitamins if your level is over 10 µmol/L.