How Oxidative Stress Contributes to EBV Infections
Oxidative stress causes instability within a cell. Things like pollution, smoking, alcohol, high blood sugar, and infection can cause this. Free radicals are produced during this process that can go around “stealing” electrons from other molecules like DNA and our cell membranes, causing damage in the process. This is where antioxidants come to the rescue. They donate the electrons the free radicals are looking for, making the molecules stable again and less likely to cause inflammation.
How Does Oxidative Stress Relate to EBV?
Not only do the above factors cause oxidative damage that can weaken the immune system and lead to EBV reactivation, an EBV infection itself can create more oxidative stress. The free radicals produced bind to infected cells and iron to create more toxic substances and continue the cellular damage and inflammation.
Now we can see why reducing toxin exposure and increasing antioxidant intake are so important in treating EBV.
Glutathione: The Antioxidant Hero
One of the most important antioxidants that our body makes is glutathione (GSH). GSH is made from the amino acids cysteine, glycine and glutamine. Not only can it stabilize free radicals, it can also help to recycle other antioxidants like vitamin C and vitamin E as they do their antioxidant work.
Within the immune system, GSH increases immune cells and aids in healing from inflammation. Red blood cells that carry oxygen and mitochondria that use oxygen rely on GSH to help them handle free radical damage caused by oxygen. In the liver it helps with detoxification by breaking down harmful molecules and getting them ready to be eliminated by the body.
Glutathione is made of:
Cysteine - provides sulfur to help build GSH and can block viral replication. You can get it in eggs, whey protein, nuts and grains or by supplementing with n-acetylcysteine (NAC).
Glycine - can be found in legumes, fish, dairy and animal protein.
Glutamine - is used by the body for things other than GSH. You might have heard of it for intestinal permeability or “leaky gut.” Levels can decrease during infection, leading to further immunocompromise. You can get glutamine in animal protein, eggs and dairy.
Glutathione is poorly absorbed unless taken in liposomal form so it may work best to give these building blocks for it instead.
Other ways you can support GSH include:
Vitamin C, zinc and selenium that help recycle GSH
Reducing exposure to toxins in your daily life
Helping your body detox with sauna, sweating, moderate exercise and getting good sleep
Getting Antioxidants in Your Diet
Antioxidants are found abundantly in plant based foods so eating a diet that includes fruits and vegetables is key. There are many vitamins, minerals and plant-based compounds that have antioxidant properties.
Check out the list below for some ideas on which foods are good sources.
Leeks, onions, garlic, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale and cabbage - contain sulfur compounds that help our body make glutathione
Blackberries, blueberries, cranberries, grapes - contain anthocyanin
Pumpkin, carrots, spinach, parsley - contain beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A
Seafood - contains copper, selenium and zinc
Black and green tea, citrus fruit, red wine, onion, apples - contain flavonoids
Green leafy vegetables - contain lutein, vitamins A, C, & E
Egg yolks - contain vitamins A & E, and lutein
Avocado, nuts, seeds, whole grains - contain vitamin E
In Summary...
Oxidative stress from factors like pollution, smoking, and high blood sugar generate free radicals that damage cells, weaken the immune system, and facilitate Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) reactivation. EBV further increases oxidative stress, creating a cycle of cellular damage and inflammation. Glutathione (GSH), a key antioxidant synthesized from cysteine, glycine, and glutamine, neutralizes free radicals, recycles other antioxidants, and supports detoxification and immune function. Enhancing GSH levels through diet along with reducing toxin exposure and adopting healthy lifestyle practices, can mitigate oxidative stress and aid in managing EBV infections.
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-Dr. Jamie
Resources
Kines, K. (2018). The Epstein-Barr virus solution: The hidden undiagnosed epidemic of chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and autoimmune disease - how to heal and regain your life. Holistic Nutrition Press
This website is not intended for the purpose of providing medical advice. All information, content, and material of this website is for informational purposes only and are not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider.
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