Glutathione (GSH) is a naturally occurring tripeptide, a molecule found in every cell of the body, synthesized from three amino acids: cysteine, glutamic acid, and glycine. It plays a crucial role in numerous biological processes, including tissue building and repair, the production of essential chemicals and proteins for the body and immune system, and maintaining healthy cells. As a powerful antioxidant, glutathione neutralizes free radicals, heavy metals, and toxins absorbed daily through the skin, breath, water, and food, stimulating their elimination from the body.
While the body naturally produces glutathione, levels can be depleted by factors such as poor nutrition, environmental toxins, stress, and age. Supplementation, therefore, has gained attention for its potential health benefits. Glutathione can be administered intravenously, in oral tablet form, or as an inhalant. It is found in lower concentrations in plasma and extracellular fluid, except in bile where concentrations are higher.
Potential Health Benefits of Glutathione
Many of glutathione’s benefits stem from its antioxidant properties, which have the potential to fend off chronic disease and other health concerns that come with age. Some diseases also cause low stores of glutathione in cells, which means that building these back up through supplements might support cell function.
May Help Prevent and Manage Type 2 Diabetes
Research suggests that glutathione may play a role in preventing and managing type 2 diabetes, thanks to its antioxidant status. Oxidative stress can play a role in the development of type 2 diabetes and make it harder to manage. Low glutathione levels are associated with insulin resistance, a hallmark of diabetes that occurs when the body doesn’t respond well to insulin. Increasing glutathione may help prevent or improve insulin resistance.
May Support the Immune System
Animal and test-tube studies show that glutathione helps regulate inflammation, support white blood cell activity, and protect cells from oxidative damage, suggesting some potential benefits for immune health. Glutathione is important for supporting functions of both the innate and adaptive immune systems, including T-lymphocyte proliferation, phagocytic activity of polymorphonuclear neutrophils, dendritic cell function, and antigen presentation by antigen-presenting cells.
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May Relieve Certain Respiratory Symptoms
Some evidence suggests that delivering intravenous (IV) glutathione may relieve shortness of breath associated with COVID-19 and COVID-19 pneumonia. Glutathione’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties may have contributed to symptom improvement. Adults with COVID-19 who were given glutathione via IV every 12 hours for one week saw significantly faster improvement in breathing difficulties and a lower risk of hospitalization than those who received a placebo.
May Improve Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Glutathione may help manage nonalcoholic fatty liver disease - now called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease - a condition where extra fat builds up in the liver. Glutathione may reduce oxidative stress, fat accumulation in the liver, and inflammation, all of which are key in the progression of this disease. Medical researchers treated adults with either alcoholic or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease with an IV drip filled with high doses of GSH. Not only did both groups show “significant” improvements in bilirubin levels (a substance made in the liver during the normal process of breaking down red blood cells that a healthy liver regularly eliminates) months after the trial ended, they also saw a reduction of malondialdehyde, a marker of cell damage in the liver.
Other Potential Benefits
Glutathione has been evaluated in clinical trials in various formulations (e.g., oral, intravenous [IV], topical, intranasal, nebulized) for its effects on HIV, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, autism, cystic fibrosis, and cardiovascular diseases, among other conditions.
- Skin Lightening: Glutathione has been used for skin whitening due to its antimelanogenic properties. Studies have shown that oral glutathione, in both reduced and oxidized forms, can effectively influence skin properties.
- Cardiovascular Health: Atherosclerotic mice given liposomal glutathione achieved improved oxidative status and decreased macrophage cholesterol mass. In patients with peripheral obstructive arterial disease, glutathione infusion improved pain-free walking distance.
- Neurodegenerative Diseases: Decreased levels of glutathione in the substantia nigra of patients with Parkinson's disease have been described, and some researchers consider glutathione depletion to be a precursor to and potential marker of the disease.
- Autoimmune Issues: Glutathione helps reduce oxidative stress by either stimulating or reducing the body’s immunological response.
Glutathione Dosage
The dosage of Glutathione depends on the purpose of use, age, health condition, and other factors of each individual. Taking Glutathione for skin whitening differs from taking it for disease prevention and treatment. However, note that oral Glutathione requires a certain period to achieve optimal effectiveness. Therefore, you should persistently follow the dosage and regimen prescribed by your doctor.
Glutathione Dosage for Skin Whitening (Oral)
For the first 3 months, you can take approximately 1000mg-2000mg of Glutathione, then reduce it to 500mg per day. Doctors also recommend not exceeding 2000mg of Glutathione per day and avoiding long-term use, as it may lead to poisoning and other dangerous complications.
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Glutathione Dosage to Support Cancer Treatment (Oral)
To support cancer treatment, patients can supplement with Glutathione to protect the body from the dangerous side effects of chemotherapy. Glutathione can be taken before radiation therapy:
- Taking 1000mg of Glutathione daily helps protect kidney cells and nerve cells from the toxic effects of chemotherapy (Oxaliplatin, Cisplatin, Cyclophosphamide, 5.FU, etc.).
- Taking 500-1000mg/day helps improve and restore health, and prevent fatigue in cancer patients.
Glutathione Dosage to Support Liver Disease Treatment (Oral)
Because Glutathione is effective in restoring liver function, you can supplement with about 1000mg of Glutathione daily to protect liver cells and prevent damage and necrosis caused by peroxy free radicals in toxic hepatitis.
In cases of viral hepatitis, you should take about 500mg per day until recovery.
Patients with cirrhosis or liver failure should take 500-1000mg/day to help the liver detoxify the body.
Additionally, many other conditions can be treated with Glutathione, including myocardial infarction, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, HIV, and brain injuries from trauma. Each condition has a specific Glutathione dosage prescribed by a doctor.
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Important Considerations for Dosage
- Oral vs. Other Forms: Oral glutathione may not be as effective as intravenous delivery for some conditions. Liposomal formulations of glutathione may confer better effects, but further research is needed. N-acetylcysteine, as the precursor to glutathione, has demonstrated efficacy in raising glutathione levels.
- Contradictory Advice for Cancer: Based on animal and in vitro data, use of supplemental glutathione may be contraindicated in cancer. Strategies to deplete glutathione levels during chemotherapy have been suggested, but potentially major disadvantages to this approach exist due to effects of low glutathione levels on noncancerous tissues.
Side Effects and Precautions
Glutathione is considered safe for most adults when used orally, inhaled, or injected intramuscularly or intravenously. However, it's important to keep in mind that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that the majority of supplements contain active ingredients which could cause a reaction. One study found some possible interactions among males who took glutathione as a skin treatment via an IV drip, including liver issues or infertility, which is why the FDA warned the public of the dangers of an injectable skin lightening agent. Another study (where patients were given both GSH and the oxidized form GSSG) showed that a very small percentage of participants dealt with either temporary liver issues or a rash.
When using Glutathione, you may experience the following side effects:
- Abdominal cramps
- Bloating
- Difficulty breathing due to bronchial spasms
- Allergic reactions, such as rash.
If you experience any of the symptoms listed above, you should consult your doctor for advice and adjust the Glutathione dosage accordingly.
Precautions Before Using Glutathione
Before using Glutathione, you should consult your doctor if you are in the following conditions:
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
- Using other medications
- Allergic to any substance in Glutathione or other drugs, herbs
- Have other medical conditions
- You are allergic to foods, preservatives, dyes, or animals.
Specific Warnings
- Asthma: Avoid inhaling Glutathione to prevent worsening asthma symptoms.
- Pregnancy and Lactation: Consult your doctor before use to avoid adverse effects on both mother and baby.
- Sulfa Sensitivity: People who are sensitive to sulfa may break out in a rash from glutathione.
Interactions
Some things can affect how glutathione works in your body. It might be best to avoid:
- Alcohol
- Smoking
- Caffeine
- Medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and aspirin
- Too much dairy
- Processed or fried foods
Tell your doctor about any supplements you're taking, even if they're natural. That way, your doctor can check on any potential side effects or interactions with any medications.
Food Sources of Glutathione
Your body doesn't seem to absorb glutathione well from foods. But certain foods high in amino acids that contain sulfur may help boost your levels. These include:
- Unprocessed meat
- Garlic
- Broccoli
- Asparagus
- Avocados
- Spinach
A diet rich in glutathione-boosting foods does not generally pose any risks.