Exogenous antioxidants like Vitamin C provide basic radical scavenging, but your cells depend primarily on their internal master antioxidant: **Glutathione (GSH)**. Composed of three amino acids—cysteine, glycine, and glutamate—glutathione neutralizes hydrogen peroxide, lipid peroxides, and heavy metals inside the cytoplasm and nucleus.
### The Rate-Limiting Bottleneck
Intracellular glutathione levels decline dramatically with age due to chronic oxidative stress and a shortage of precursor amino acids:
* **N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC):** Supplies bioavailable L-cysteine, the rate-limiting amino acid required for glutathione synthesis.
* **L-Glycine:** Provides the essential secondary substrate needed to complete the GSH molecule while supporting collagen cross-linking and neurological peace.
### Biological Benefits
1. **Intracellular Radical Neutralization:** Directly quenches reactive oxygen species before they cause irreversible oxidative damage to cellular membrane lipids and nuclear DNA.
2. **Phase II Liver Detoxification:** Conjugates toxins and metabolic waste products for safe elimination.
3. **Mitochondrial Protection:** Prevents oxidative damage to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), preserving organelle integrity.