This profile is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before use. See full terms.
Glutathione
The body's most abundant endogenous antioxidant and master detoxifier - protects neurons from oxidative damage, supports mitochondrial function, and is depleted by ageing, stress, and environmental toxins.
Benefits
What is Glutathione?
Glutathione (GSH, gamma-L-glutamyl-L-cysteinyl-glycine) is a tripeptide composed of glutamate, cysteine, and glycine, and is the most abundant intracellular antioxidant in the human body. It is found in every cell, with particularly high concentrations in the liver and brain. The brain consumes approximately 20% of the body's oxygen despite being only 2% of body weight, making it exceptionally vulnerable to oxidative stress - and glutathione is its primary defence.
Glutathione levels decline significantly with age, with brain GSH levels dropping by approximately 10% per decade after age 40. This decline is accelerated by chronic stress, poor sleep, environmental toxins, alcohol, and medications like paracetamol. A 2015 study published in NeuroImage using magnetic resonance spectroscopy found that brain glutathione levels were significantly reduced in patients with mild cognitive impairment compared to healthy controls. A 2016 study in PLOS ONE demonstrated that oral supplementation with liposomal glutathione (500-1,000 mg/day) significantly increased blood and tissue glutathione levels within 2 weeks. Glutathione's neuroprotective role extends beyond simple antioxidant activity: it is essential for mitochondrial electron transport chain function, xenobiotic detoxification via glutathione S-transferase enzymes, regulation of nitric oxide homeostasis, and modulation of NMDA receptor redox state. Low glutathione has been implicated in Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, depression, and schizophrenia.
- Direct antioxidant: Neutralises reactive oxygen species (superoxide, hydroxyl radicals, hydrogen peroxide) and reactive nitrogen species, protecting neuronal DNA, proteins, and lipid membranes
- Glutathione peroxidase cofactor: Essential cofactor for glutathione peroxidase enzymes, which convert toxic lipid hydroperoxides and hydrogen peroxide into harmless water and alcohols
- Xenobiotic detoxification: Conjugates with toxins, drugs, and environmental pollutants via glutathione S-transferase (GST) enzymes, facilitating their excretion
- Mitochondrial protection: Maintains mitochondrial membrane integrity and electron transport chain function; mitochondrial GSH depletion triggers apoptosis
- NMDA receptor modulation: Regulates the redox state of NMDA receptor thiol groups, influencing glutamatergic neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity
- Vitamin C and E recycling: Regenerates oxidised vitamin C (dehydroascorbate) and vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol), maintaining the broader antioxidant network
- Liposomal glutathione: 250-1,000 mg per day. Liposomal delivery dramatically improves oral bioavailability by protecting GSH from digestive breakdown
- S-Acetyl Glutathione: 200-600 mg per day. The acetyl group protects against enzymatic degradation and improves cellular uptake
- Reduced glutathione (standard): 500-1,000 mg per day, though standard oral reduced GSH has poor bioavailability
- NAC alternative: N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) at 600-1,800 mg/day is a widely used precursor that raises glutathione levels by providing rate-limiting cysteine
- Timing: Take on an empty stomach or as directed by formulation. Divide larger doses across the day
- Excellent safety profile: Glutathione is an endogenous molecule present in every cell. Supplementation at standard doses is very well tolerated
- Mild GI effects: Some individuals report mild bloating or cramping, especially with standard reduced glutathione. Liposomal forms are generally better tolerated
- Zinc depletion: Long-term high-dose glutathione supplementation may theoretically chelate zinc. Consider monitoring zinc status or supplementing zinc
- Asthma caution: Inhaled glutathione has been reported to worsen bronchospasm in some asthma patients. This applies to nebulised forms, not oral supplements
- Drug interactions: No significant drug interactions at standard oral supplement doses
Natural Sources & Forms
- Liposomal glutathione: Liquid or capsule formulations using liposomal encapsulation for enhanced bioavailability. The preferred supplemental form
- S-Acetyl Glutathione: Acetylated form available in capsules, more stable than reduced GSH
- Reduced glutathione capsules: Standard GSH capsules, though bioavailability is significantly lower than liposomal or acetylated forms
- Precursor support: NAC, glycine, and whey protein provide glutathione precursors for endogenous synthesis
Frequently Asked Questions
The body's most abundant endogenous antioxidant and master detoxifier - protects neurons from oxidative damage, supports mitochondrial function, and is depleted by ageing, stress, and environmental toxins.
The key benefits of Glutathione include: Cognitive Enhancement, Energy, Longevity, Memory, Mood, Stress Relief.
Direct antioxidant: Neutralises reactive oxygen species (superoxide, hydroxyl radicals, hydrogen peroxide) and reactive nitrogen species, protecting neuronal DNA, proteins, and lipid membranes Glutathione peroxidase cofactor: Essential cofactor for glutathione peroxidase enzymes, which convert toxic lipid hydroperoxides and hydrogen peroxide into harmless water and alcohols Xenobiotic detoxification: Conjugates with toxins, drugs, and environmental pollutants via glutathione S-transferase (GST) enzymes, facilitating their excretion Mitochondrial protection: Maintains mitochondrial membrane integrity and electron transport chain function; mitochondrial GSH depletion triggers apoptosis NMDA receptor modulation: Regulates the redox state of NMDA receptor thiol groups, influencing glutamatergic neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity Vitamin C and E recycling: Regenerates oxidised vitamin C (dehydroascorbate) and vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol), maintaining the broader antioxidant network
Liposomal glutathione: 250-1,000 mg per day. Liposomal delivery dramatically improves oral bioavailability by protecting GSH from digestive breakdown S-Acetyl Glutathione: 200-600 mg per day. The acetyl group protects against enzymatic degradation and improves cellular uptake Reduced glutathione (standard): 500-1,000 mg per day, though standard oral reduced GSH has poor bioavailability NAC alternative: N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) at 600-1,800 mg/day is a widely used precursor that raises glutathione levels by providing rate-limiting cysteine Timing: Take on an empty stomach or as directed by formulation. Divide larger doses across the day
Excellent safety profile: Glutathione is an endogenous molecule present in every cell. Supplementation at standard doses is very well tolerated Mild GI effects: Some individuals report mild bloating or cramping, especially with standard reduced glutathione. Liposomal forms are generally better tolerated Zinc depletion: Long-term high-dose glutathione supplementation may theoretically chelate zinc. Consider monitoring zinc status or supplementing zinc Asthma caution: Inhaled glutathione has been reported to worsen bronchospasm in some asthma patients. This applies to nebulised forms, not oral supplements Drug interactions: No significant drug interactions at standard oral supplement doses
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