Glutathione is a natural antioxidant produced by the body that plays several important roles in maintaining good health. It is a tripeptide comprised of three amino acids: glutamine, glycine, and cysteine.
Glutathione helps neutralize oxidative stress in the body. As a result, it is commonly referred to as “the master antioxidant.” Glutathione is also involved in detoxifying harmful substances in the body and regulating the immune system.1,2
Stresses on the body, such as poor nutrition, smoking, sleep deprivation, and environmental toxins, as well as aging, can cause reduced glutathione levels, potentially increasing your risk of disease.
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Glutathione Mitigates Oxidative Stress
Free radicals can cause damage to cells. Free radicals are highly reactive byproducts of metabolism. These unpaired electrons bind to DNA and cell structures, changing their structure and function. Glutathione exists in an oxidized form (GSSG) and a reduced form (GSH). In its reduced form, glutathione donates an electron to inflammation-causing free radicals to neutralize their effect. After losing its electron, glutathione is said to be oxidized. It can be recycled back to its reduced form. The ability to recycle oxidized glutathione to reduced glutathione is impaired when your body is under chronic stress.3 The ratio of oxidized (GSSG) to reduced glutathione (GSH) can provide an estimate of oxidative stress and its impact on your health.4
Many factors can increase oxidative stress, including5,6
- Sleep deprivation
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Poor diet
- Increased exposure to heavy metals
- Smoking
- Exposure to pollution, radiation, and environmental toxins
- A diet high in processed foods
- Infections
- Chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer
- Excessive or prolonged physical activity
What Are The Benefits Of Glutathione?
Glutathione is a natural antioxidant produced by the body that plays several important roles in maintaining good health. Some of the potential benefits of glutathione include7
- Protects against oxidative stress
- Supports the immune system
- Reduces inflammation
- Detoxifies the liver
- Prevents age-related decline
- Improves skin health
- Maintains healthy cell growth and development by removing damaged cells
- Improves insulin sensitivity
It is important to note that more research is needed to fully understand the potential benefits of glutathione and to determine its safety and effectiveness as a treatment for various conditions.
Glutathione Depletion And Chronic Diseases
Glutathione depletion is associated with several medical conditions, including2,8,9
- Neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Friedreich’s ataxia
- Chronic obstructive lung disease
- Asthma
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome
- Immune diseases
- High blood pressure
- Heart attacks
- Increased cholesterol
- Liver disease
- Cystic fibrosis
- Aging
- Cancer
- Chronic liver disease
- Cognitive impairment
- Diabetes
- Male and female infertility
- Lupus
- Mental health disorders
- Multiple sclerosis
- Cataract and glaucoma
What Does A Shot Of Glutathione Do?
Injections of glutathione are sometimes used as a treatment for a variety of conditions, including liver disease, cancer, and Parkinson’s disease. Some people also use glutathione injections as a way to improve skin health and lighten the skin.
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, researchers reported that participants taking either reduced or oxidized forms of glutathione had reduced sun damage and wrinkles and decreased hyperpigmentation. They also noted increased skin elasticity.10
What Are Potential Glutathione Side Effects?
While glutathione is generally recognized as safe (GRAS), there is a potential for side effects to occur. Some possible side effects of glutathione injections may include the following:
- Nausea and vomiting: Some people may experience nausea and vomiting after receiving a glutathione injection.
- Allergic reactions: Glutathione injections may cause allergic reactions in some people, including skin rash, hives, and difficulty breathing.
- Blood clotting problems: Glutathione injections may interfere with blood clotting, which could increase the risk of bleeding and bruising. A long-term phase 4 study has not found an increased bleeding risk after using glutathione.
- Rash or irritation at the injection site: The injection site may become red, swollen, or painful after receiving a glutathione injection.
- Kidney and liver problems: Taking large doses of glutathione may cause kidney or liver dysfunction.
The benefits of Glutathione supplementation has not been adequately studied for its side effects in people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
How To Supplement Glutathione
Glutathione is produced naturally in three ways:8
- De novo synthesis
- Regeneration from reduced glutathione (GSH) by glutathione reductase
- Recycling of cysteine from conjugated glutathione via GGTP
Glutathione is also naturally available in foods and drinks, such as:2,11
- Asparagus
- Avocado
- Cucumber
- Green beans
- Spinach
- Green tea
- Papaya
- Meats
- Whey
- Garlic
- Onions
- Eggs
- Nuts
- Legumes
Another option is to consume the precursors of glutathione, such as N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), L-glutathione, and L-glycine are available in capsule form.
A randomized controlled trial showed that daily consumption of glutathione supplements was effective in increasing cellular glutathione.12 Glutathione is available as a supplement in the following forms:13,14
- Intravenous
- Liposomal
- Sublingual
- Buccal lozenge
- Orally
- Inhaled
There is some debate on the effectiveness of oral glutathione, as digestive enzymes in the stomach may break it down.2
Conclusion
Exploring the numerous benefits of glutathione injections offer, from detoxification and immune support to skin health enhancement, it’s clear that this powerful antioxidant can be a key component in achieving and maintaining optimal health. If you’re considering adding glutathione to your wellness routine to leverage these benefits, it’s essential to choose a trusted source. For those looking to buy glutathione, ensuring you get the highest quality product is crucial for the best results. Glutathione injections are prescription only. Talk to an Invigor Medical specialist to determine whether glutathione supplements are right for you.
