Supplement Savvy: Glutathione

If you are someone who follows trends in health and beauty through social media, chances are you have been seeing a LOT of hype about something called Glutathione. Influencers and celebrities and others have been singing its praises for everything from anti-aging to disease prevention to skin lightening. But it is truly hard to know what is true and what is just hype and what is backed by science, especially since supplements are not regulated in the US the same way that medications are.

So, what is Glutathione?

Glutathione is something that is in your body already, found in every cell of the human body, with highest concentrations in the liver, spleen and skin. The primary function of glutathione is to act as one of the most powerful antioxidants (the “master antioxidant”) in your body. An antioxidant is a substance that protects cells from damage caused by free radicals, which are unstable molecules produced during normal metabolism or external sources such as pollution. Free radicals can cause oxidative stress that is linked to cellular damage and diseases such as cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s. Antioxidants neutralize these damaging free radicals by donating an electron to them, binding and stabilizing them and preventing them from attacking other molecules.

It is a tripeptide composed of three amino acids: glutamic acid, cysteine, and glycine. A peptide is a chain of amino acids linked by peptide bonds that play crucial roles in various biological functions such as muscle building and hydration. An example of another peptide that you might be more familiar with is insulin.

What does Glutathione do for your body?

1: Detoxification- Glutathione aids the liver in removing harmful substances such as heavy metals, drugs, toxins and pollutants such as pesticides. It is like your body’s inside clean up crew.

2:)Antioxidant Protection-Glutathione neutralizes free radicals and protects against oxidative stress, which is linked to chronic disease and aging.

3:) Immune Support-Glutathione supports the immune system by aiding in the production of white blood cells and regulating immune cell activity.

4:) Cellular Repair-Glutathione is involved in DNA synthesis and repair and helps maintain cellular integrity.

What are some signs of low Glutathione levels?

1:) Fatigue- Low energy levels can occur when your body is struggling to combat oxidative stress.

2:) Frequent Infections- a weakened immune response may lead to increased susceptibility to illness.

3:) Cognitive Decline- Low levels of Glutathione have been linked to cognitive decline and memory issues.

4:) Skin Issues- Signs of poor skin health such as premature aging and dullness have been linked to low levels of Glutathione.

So, are Glutathione supplements actually beneficial?

We do have glutathione naturally in our bodies, but certain things can cause a decline in our levels. Natural aging, poor diet, chronic stress or illness, and exposure to heavy metals and environmental toxins can all help deplete our stores.

It is possible to boost Glutathione levels with diet. Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower and cabbage are high in Glutathione. Other sources include avocados, garlic, onions and spinach. And even though you can boost your levels, some people may want to consider supplements (always after consulting your own healthcare provider).

Reasons for this may include:

1:) Enhanced detoxification- A Glutathione supplement may help improve the detoxification process for those who are exposed to a high level of toxins such as heavy metals or environmental pollutants.

2:) Improved Immune Function- those with compromised immunity may benefit from increasing Glutathione levels to boost immune response.

3:) Support during stressful times-Physical and emotional stress can knock your Glutathione levels down quickly

4:) Potential Skin Benefits-Some people like to use Glutathione for skin benefits including improving elasticity and wrinkle reduction. There are people who believe that Glutathione helps lighten skin, but this application has not been fully studied, needs more research and may be dangerous.

5:) Possibly Improving Athletic Performance-There has been research that indicates that Glutathione supplementation has the potential to enhance physical performance, reduce muscle fatigue and improve recovery by managing oxidative stress.

6:)Benefits in Chronic Disease-There has been research to support Glutathione’s role in improving liver health, especially in NAFDL (Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease). There is also scientific evidence that glutathione deficiency plays a key role in numerous chronic diseases including neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, chronic lung diseases like Cystic Fibrosis, and HIV/Aids. Research is ongoing and promising for many of these conditions.

Types of Glutathione Supplements:

1:) Oral Supplements- Glutathione is available in capsules or liquid and these are the most common type of Glutathione supplement. However, some studies suggest that this form of Glutathione may not be very effectively absorbed because of degradation in the digestive system.

2:)Liposomal Glutathione-This is a form of supplement where the Glutathione is encapsulated in Liposomes, which improves its bioavailability and makes it more effective than capsules or liquids.

3:) IV Glutathione- This form of Glutathione has to be administered by a healthcare professional and can give you high doses directly into the blood stream, but can come with many of its own set of risks and considerations.

Obviously before starting ANY supplements, people need to discuss them with their own healthcare provider. While Glutathione is considered generally safe, there could be possible side effects such as gastrointestinal upset, headache, allergic reaction and changes in your mineral levels such as Zinc. There are also some drug interactions possible so be sure your provider is aware of any and all supplements you may be taking.

My personal favorite Glutathione Supplement is the Liposomal Glutathione from Cymbiotika. I know this company is reputable, does third party testing and is very transparent about every single one of their products. They also have extensive learning materials on their website. If you would like to learn more about this, here is the link:

https://cymbiotika.com/PAMELASLOOP