The so-called "health fad" may seem like a new phenomenon, but the interest in natural supplements and homeopathic treatment dates back to the 50’s and 60’s in recent history, and its actual origins can be traced to antiquity.

The need for health care, of course, is self-explanatory. Every form of cultural society has sought out cures for its own contemporary maladies. Even in the most primitive of tribal groups, there was always one member of the clan who seemed to have an innate ability for healing whatever ills troubled the tribe. This person - often known as a "shaman" or even a "witch doctor" - seemed to have magical powers bestowed on them by "the gods", allowing them to sense illness and disease in others and prescribe treatments to rid the body of whatever "demon" seemed to be inhabiting them.

This ability garnered these gifted individuals great praise and gratitude from the other members of their particular tribal society, and created what would become an understood and unquestioned standing of high honor and authority that still carries on to this day. This can be seen in the great trust endowed in medical associations and the opinions and prognoses of doctors everywhere. In fact, members of the medical profession receive virtually the same respect and trust that is bestowed on members of the clergy.

This approach has had the same spotty success rates as the medical profession, and could be viewed as being just as risky. Many "homegrown" remedies have arisen over the years, and although some actually are successful, others are at the very least ineffectual if not dangerous.

The interest today is in the newly discovered importance of antioxidants to protecting the body’s immune system, and one of the latest products that is being touted is known as MaxGXL. The essential ingredient of this substance is glutathione, one of the more effective natural components found in the body for fighting the oxidation of cells. The ability of MaxGXL to increase the levels of glutathione in the body is advertised as being of enormous value in raising and sustaining the body’s ability to fight disease by promoting better liver function.

Current knowledge of antioxidants suggests that reducing the effects of oxidation in the body has many other benefits besides aiding liver function, including the increased resistance to infections and chronic viruses, thereby providing an improved overall health. As a result, MaxGXL falls into this controversial category of "cure-alls", not so much out of an intended agenda but rather from the popular trend of finding more natural ways to stay healthy.

There are various sources for information on the beneficial qualities of MaxGXL, and many if not most include opinions and recommendations from members of the medical profession with credentials that are appropriate for what would seem to be an informed opinion on this matter. The difficulty that might arise for some people who are seeking more natural health products is the fact that MaxGXL has not yet been approved by the FDA. While this may discourage some from trying the product, others have found success in many unapproved supplements and solutions.

The validity of the claims of any new, unapproved product should always be thoroughly researched by anyone needing specific health assistance before adopting the product into a treatment regimen.