L-Glutathione benefits range from antioxidant support to immune protection, making it essential for overall health and wellness.

What is it?

It is a sulphur containing antioxidant and is the most abundant and powerful intracellular antioxidant that is produced by nearly all the tissues in the body and especially the liver (1). There is evidence to show that low glutathione levels in the body correlate with increased risk of chronic and acute diseases and impairs overall immune function (1). This is why maintaining levels of glutathione is very important.

What does glutathione do in the body?

• Protects cells from oxidative stress
• Maintenance of the immune system
• Protects blood vessels
• Helps with the breakdown of nutrients
• Helps “recycle” other antioxidants

How do antioxidants work?

As an antioxidant it its active or reduced form can meet up with free radical to stabilize it. After it has interacted with the free radical the antioxidant is now said to be oxidized and thus no longer active to play its role as an antioxidant. Glutathione can be “reactivated” by other antioxidants like vitamin C and E so that can keep doing its job as an antioxidant and glutathione can “reactivate” or recycle other antioxidants also. This is why antioxidants generally work together.

Can supplementing with oral glutathione increase my bodies glutathione levels?

More studies need to be conducted as there have been some conflicting findings.

One study concluded in 2011 that there was no significant difference in markers of oxidative stress in those supplemented with 500mg twice a day of reduced glutathione for 4 weeks over the placebo group. It should be noted that the study group was in healthy and young volunteers and so the results can’t be generalized to older individuals and those with acute or chronic illness where glutathione may be more beneficial (2).

A study done in 2015 showed there was a significant increase in intracellular glutathione levels after supplementing for 6 months (1). These subjects were healthy but were on average older and had higher BMI scores than the previous study done in 2011. This study also lasted 6 months instead of only 4 weeks in the previous study which may indicate that longer supplementation is needed to get the true benefits from glutathione supplementation.

Who should take it?

Anyone could likely benefit from supplemental glutathione but it may be most beneficial for:

• Those who are recovering from procedures such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation
• Those who have had recent physical trauma or an acute or chronic illness.
• It may also benefit older adults whose natural glutathione production may diminish with age.

What are other considerations?

You should also consider taking glutathione with vitamin C as well to get the synergistic effect and especially as humans don’t make vitamin C.

Side Effects and Who should not take it?

Those with a sensitivity to sulphur should not take glutathione supplements since glutathione contains a sulfur molecule in it. Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding should probably not take this as there are no studies done.

References:

1. Richie JP Jr, Nichenametla S, Neidig W, Calcagnotto A, Haley JS, Schell TD, Muscat JE. Randomized controlled trial of oral glutathione supplementation on body stores of glutathione. Eur J Nutr. 2015 Mar;54(2):251-63. doi: 10.1007/s00394-014-0706-z. Epub 2014 May 5. PMID: 24791752.

2. Allen J, Bradley RD. Effects of oral glutathione supplementation on systemic oxidative stress biomarkers in human volunteers. J Altern Complement Med. 2011 Sep;17(9):827-33. doi: 10.1089/acm.2010.0716. PMID: 21875351; PMCID: PMC3162377.