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What do Kendall Jenner, Hailey Bieber, and Chrissy Teigen have in common? For one, they all reportedly get regular intravenous infusions of antioxidants to refresh their skin. One star ingredient in many of their glow-up infusions? Glutathione, which has been called the “master of antioxidants.” It’s said to protect skin against free radicals, repair cells, and more. But what exactly is glutathione and how does it work? And, most importantly, should you be taking glutathione, too? Read on to find out more about the benefits of glutathione.
Glutathione, the master of antioxidants
If you had to choose just one supplement to take, glutathione is certainly a compelling candidate. “Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant found in every cell of the body,” explains Dr. Nayan Patel, an advanced biochemistry and anti-aging science expert and the founder of Auro, a skincare company that focuses on antioxidants, and in particular, glutathione. “It’s composed of three amino acids: glutamine, cysteine, and glycine. Its primary role is to protect cells from oxidative stress and damage by neutralizing harmful free radicals and reactive oxygen and nitrogen species,” he explains.
Because it protects against cell damage and detoxifies the body, glutathione is said to be helpful for maintaining longevity and skin health, but it also may be useful for other health issues as well. However, our naturally-occurring levels also tend to drop off as we age—much like collagen. Therefore, “maintaining adequate levels of glutathione is crucial for overall health, as its deficiency can lead to increased oxidative stress, weakened immune response, and higher susceptibility to diseases,” Patel says.
What are the benefits of glutathione?
“Glutathione is important for several reasons,” Patel explains. Not only does it help combat oxidative stress which can “damage cells and contribute to chronic diseases and aging,” but it also supports the immune system by “enhancing the function of immune cells” and helping to regulate inflammation. “It assists in repairing damaged cells and maintaining overall cellular health,” says Patel.
Shabir Daya, pharmacist and co-founder of UK-based wellness company Victoria Health agrees: “Glutathione is the body’s natural antioxidant nutrient, produced in the liver primarily from three amino acids: glycine, cysteine, and glutamic acid,” he says. “It helps protect cells from damage caused by free radicals that form when oxygen is used to create energy for repair and regeneration; it also protects against external toxins, which seem to increase from year to year, as we produce more and more chemicals for the most varied uses.”
Some of the proven benefits of glutathione include:
- Protecting the cells of the hippocampus—the portion of the brain responsible for memory and learning—from oxidative stress and helping to prevent neurodegenerative diseases.
- Strengthening the immune system by supporting the action of white blood cells to fight viruses and bacteria.
- Helping to detoxify the liver and protecting it from diseases such as hepatic steatosis, also known as “fatty liver.”
- Protecting against cell damage RPE of the eye and helping prevent age-related macular degeneration.
The magic of glutathione truly is in its power to provide protection against free radicals. “Oxidative stress is the precursor for many diseases and health related issues,” explains Patel. “So, while Glutathione does not have a direct hand in helping with various health concerns, it works to help to mitigate the oxidative stress and in turn helps in the early stages of various health issues.”
Glutathione and metabolism
Glutathione may also be helpful for metabolism. “Glutathione is involved in various metabolic processes, including the synthesis and repair of DNA,” says Patel. A study published in the National Library of Medicine also found that adequate levels of glutathione in the body may help individuals lose weight more easily because it supports the body in burning fat and building muscle mass, and also supports the liver in removing toxins and eliminating them.
Glutathione and the skin
Thanks to its major antioxidant power, glutathione is known one of the “best anti-aging skincare ingredients you can give to your skin,” explains Patel. “Out of the two major functions of glutathione in the body, one is that GSH is a natural antioxidant to your skin and is the most powerful to combat free radicals and oxidative damage,” he says. “As we age, the reserves lessen, so it’s important to give back the key antioxidant, glutathione.” He says that glutathione can also help detox the foreign chemicals that your skin is exposed to; it can be found in topical products like Auro Skincare's G Antioxidant Serum.
Who should use glutathione?
“Almost everyone can benefit from taking glutathione supplements—and even more so as we age, since we cannot produce sufficient quantities of it like many other compounds and hormones,” says Daya. “If you suffer from stress, have a compromised immune system, live in cities with high levels of pollution, or suffer from chronic inflammatory diseases, you will benefit from glutathione supplementation.”
How to take glutathione
Glutathione occurs naturally in the body, and can be maintained through eating a healthy diet. Among the foods that contain the most glutathione are avocado, apples, peaches, asparagus, and spinach. However, because glutathione tends to decrease as we age, it is also often taken in the form of supplements, either as intravenous infusions or orally. There’s also some evidence to suggest that taking other supplements, such as curcumin (the compound in turmeric), selenium, vitamin E, and vitamin C, can help the body produce more glutathione.
“There are various methods of supplementing glutathione, such as IV Drips, topical solutions, oral forms, and even taking precursors of glutathione like NAC,” says Patel, who notes that each method has a different efficacy in terms of how it works in the body and how it is absorbed into the red blood cells. “Each method of taking Glutathione has different dosing protocols based on what is actually absorbed by the body and also the amount needed by the patient to have sufficient glutathione levels. I suggest working with your doctor in measuring your levels to see how much would be best to supplement,” he says.
Of course, the fastest and most direct way to take glutathione is infusion therapy. The other fastest way is via quality supplements. “Glutathione exists in two states—one is the oxidized state and the other is the reduced state, called GSH,” explains Daya. “It is the GSH state that is necessary to neutralize free radicals and protect the body from a series of toxins. In addition to preferring the version of reduced glutathione GSH, the liposomal version is also advisable, where the glutathione is encapsulated in liposomes (lipids that protect from stomach acids) so that it arrives intact in the intestine to be better absorbed.” In other words, glutathione GSH is best because it can easily enter cells and neutralize harmful free radicals, which is the whole point of taking it in the first place.
Are there any side effects to glutathione?
There are no contraindications or side effects to taking glutathione in the form of supplements. However, in some cases gastrointestinal disorders have been reported, so as always, it’s best to speak to a trusted health care provider before embarking on any new course of supplements.
