MCTD Support Group
Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) or Sharp's syndrome is a human autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the body. MCTD combines features of polymyositis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and systemic scleroderma and is thus considered an overlap syndrome. MCTD commonly causes joint pain/swelling, Raynaud phenomenon, muscle inflammation, and scarring of...
I've been reading about glutathione and how it is supposed to help boost the immune system. there has been some research done in cancer patients and how it helps with the side effects from chemo and there have been positive results but nothing conclusive. Does nyone else have any info on this or heard about it? Just wondering if it could help with the symptoms of mctd and some of the meds.
I have not heard about this for MCTD. Why would you want to BOOST the immune system? Isn't the idea to try to suppress the immune system? What glutathione can be very good for-- supposedly-- is mental functioning, and I've thought of trying it myself, but I have no idea what impact it would have on MCTD. It is supposed to be very safe, but I would definitely check with my rheumatologist.
Here is the problem: Most oral forms of glutathione do not, and cannot work because they will not cross the blood-brain barrier. IV glutathione is only available in major cities and it is expensive and uncomfortable.
There is, however, a third option: Liposomal glutathione. What they do is encapsulate glutathione in some kind of liposome-- like, a little molecular cage-- so that it can cross the blood brain barrier. The brand name is "Readisorb." If you google that, you will find a website for the stuff. There is no research on whether the lipsomal form really works; it does sound like a really cool idea.
But check with your rheumatologist.
Best,
--Cat