GLUTATHIONE
Pharmacologic Category: Supplement
General Information: Glutathione (GSH) is composed of three amino acids combined to produce a
peptide that is both a powerful antioxidant and performs several critical roles in the body. According to researchers this peptide is so essential to optimum health that the level of GSH in our cells could possibly be used to predict how long we’ll live (
1,
2).
While GSH is vitally essential to maintaining a healthy immune system, it isn’t classified as an essential nutrient; this is because the body does create its own supply from the amino acids:
- L-cysteine
- L-glutamic acid
- Glycine
One of the reasons why GSH is so important for optimum health is that it’s present in every cell in the body. One way antioxidants like glutathione help maintain good physical health is by neutralizing free radicals, which can cause cellular damage through oxidation. Since glutathione is naturally present within all types of cells, it is in a prime position to do this. It’s considered one of the most important antioxidants in the human body (
3).
Glutathione and immune function: Glutathione plays a significant role in immune function (
4). It encourages the T-cell function that’s essential for a healthy immune system (
5), Protects from environmental toxins, and could possibly fight cancer (
6).
Additionally, glutathione is essential in a broad range of metabolic processes: (
6,
7)
- It links together (conjugates) with many drugs to make it easier for the body to digest them
- Glutathione acts to neutralize a toxic metabolic byproduct: Methylglyoxal
- GSH is involved in the protein disulfide bond rearrangement that is necessary for the synthesis of one third of all the body’s proteins
- It protects the body from the oxidative damage caused by glutathione peroxidase by acting as a helper molecule for certain enzymes
- Glutathione plays an important role in stimulating cancer cell death (apoptosis)
- The liver uses GSH to help detoxify fats before the gallbladder emits bile, supporting healthy digestion
GSH to remove and detoxify carcinogens: GSH is also crucial in the removal and detoxification of carcinogens, and according to recent studies (
8) alterations in this metabolic pathway, can influence cell survival profoundly. Glutathione is responsible for several vital roles within a cell besides antioxidation (
8):
- Maintenance of the redox state(chemical reactions in which the oxidation state of atoms are modified)
- Modulation of the immune response
- Detoxification of foreign bacteria and viruses
Glutathione and chronic disease: Research has demonstrated that glutathione deficiency is a factor in many chronic conditions; HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, asthma, different cancers, cataracts, macular degeneration, open angle glaucoma, diabetes, and many diseases of the liver, kidneys, lungs, and digestive system (
9).
Glutathione depletion due to aging and alcohol consumption: Glutathione plays a major role in the detoxification of ethanol (consumed as alcoholic beverages) and people who routinely drink will experience GSH depletion (
10). Aging is another factor; as the body ages glutathione levels will drop below the level necessary to maintain healthy immune function (among other processes) (
10).
Glutathione depletion is also caused by other factors: Besides alcohol consumption and the aging process, there are other factors that can deplete levels of Glutathione (
11,
12,
13,
14):
- Acetaminophen
- Aspartame
- Benzopyrenes (tobacco smoke, fuel exhaust, etc.)
- Many household chemicals (detergents, fabric softeners, air fresheners, mothballs, cleaners, bleach, etc.)
Glutathione for male fertility: In a study of eleven infertile men, suffering from dyspermia associated with various andrological pathologies - Glutathione was observed to exert a significant effect on sperm motility. Glutathione appeared to have an observable therapeutic effect on certain andrological pathologies that cause male infertility (
15).
GSH and artherosclerosis: In one study, ten patients with artherosclerosis were administered glutathione which resulted in a significant increase in blood filtration, in addition to a significant decrease in blood viscosity and platelet aggregation. Consequently, GSH infusion was determined to be an effective method of decreasing blood viscosity while increasing blood filtration (
16).
Glutathione has anti-aging properties: In a three-month study of female subjects, the women taking GSH showed significantly improved skin elasticity and amelioration of wrinkles compared to test subjects who received a placebo (
17).
What is this medicine used for? Glutathione may be taken to (
4,
11,
12,
13,
14,
15,
16,
17) :
- Stimulate the immune function
- Make skin look younger
- For increased male fertility
- Decrease blood viscosity
- Increase lower than optimal levels of glutathione in the body due to aging and environmental stressors
Who shouldn’t take this supplement? Due to a lack of studies on the safety of glutathione during pregnancy and breastfeeding it would be best for women who are pregnant or nursing to avoid using it.
What are the precautions when taking this medicine? Nitric oxide could react with glutathione to create s-nitrosoglutathione, a molecule that can act as a vasodilator. Vasodilation can lead to lowered blood pressure. This side effect may not be safe for people who have hypotension (18).
What are some possible side effects of this medicine? Studies haven’t shown any side effects when supplementing with Glutathione.
How is it best taken? Glutathione can be taken either orally, with a transdermal patch or by intramuscular injection. Studies show that the most effective way to increase glutathione levels is by transdermal patch or by injection (19).
What do I do if I miss a dose? If you do miss a dose; it’s best to take it as soon as you remember. Although, if it’s almost time for the next dose, just skip the missed one and take your next scheduled dose. Don’t take two doses at the same time.
How should I store this medicine? Store Glutathione at between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C) and keep it away from heat, moisture, and light. Keep all medicines out of the reach of children. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date. Do not flush unused medications or pour down a sink or drain.
General statements: Do not share or take anyone else's medicine. Talk with your healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins. This patient information summarizes the most important information about your medication; if you would like more information, talk with your doctor.
1) Richie JP Jr, Leutzinger Y, Parthasarathy S, Malloy V, Orentreich N, Zimmerman JA. Methionine restriction increases blood glutathione and longevity in F344 rats. FASEB J. 1994 Dec;8(15):1302-7.
2) Cascella R, Evangelisti E, Zampagni M, Becatti M, D'Adamio G, Goti A, Liguri G, Fiorillo C, Cecchi C. S-linolenoyl glutathione intake extends life-span and stress resistance via Sir-2.1 upregulation in Caenorhabditis elegans. Free Radic Biol Med. 2014 Aug;73:127-35. doi: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2014.05.004. Epub 2014 May 15.
3) Lu, Shelly C. “REGULATION OF GLUTATHIONE SYNTHESIS.” Molecular aspects of medicine 30.1-2 (2009): 42–59. PMC. Web. 2 Oct. 2017.
4) Dröge W, Breitkreutz R. Glutathione and immune function. Proc Nutr Soc. 2000 Nov;59(4):595-600.
5) Chang WK, Yang KD, Chuang H, Jan JT, Shaio MF. Glutamine protects activated human T cells from apoptosis by up-regulating glutathione and Bcl-2 levels. Clin Immunol. 2002 Aug;104(2):151-60.
6) Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity.Volume 2013 (2013), Article ID 972913, 10 pages
http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/972913.
7) pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/124886?from=summary#section=Related-Compounds
8) Balendiran GK1, Dabur R, Fraser D. The role of glutathione in cancer. Cell Biochem Funct. 2004 Nov-Dec;22(6):343-52.
9) Ballatori, Nazzareno et al. “Glutathione Dysregulation and the Etiology and Progression of Human Diseases.”
Biological chemistry 390.3 (2009): 191–214.
PMC. Web. 2 Oct. 2017.
10) Vogt, Barbara L., and John P. Richie. “Glutathione Depletion and Recovery After Acute Ethanol Administration in the Aging Mouse.”
Biochemical pharmacology 73.10 (2007): 1613–1621.
PMC. Web. 2 Oct. 2017.
11) Dimova S, Hoet PH, Dinsdale D, Nemery B. Acetaminophen decreases intracellular glutathione levels and modulates cytokine production in human alveolar macrophages and type II pneumocytes in vitro. Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 2005 Aug;37(8):1727-37. Epub 2005 Apr 26.
12) Abhilash, M., Varghese, M.V., Paul, M.V.S. et al. Comp Clin Pathol (2015) 24: 927.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-014-2013-8
13) Romero DL, Mounho BJ, Lauer FT, Born JL, Burchiel SW. Depletion of glutathione by benzo(a)pyrene metabolites, ionomycin, thapsigargin, and phorbol myristate in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 1997 May;144(1):62-9.
14) National Research Council (US). Multiple Chemical Sensitivities: A Workshop. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 1992. Considerations for the Diagnosis of Chemical Sensitivity.
15) Lenzi A1, Lombardo F, Gandini L, Culasso F, Dondero F. Glutathione therapy for male infertility. Arch Androl. 1992 Jul-Aug;29(1):65-8.
16) Coppola L, Grassia A, Giunta R, Verrazzo G, Cava B, Tirelli A, D'Onofrio F. Glutathione (GSH) improved haemostatic and haemorheological parameters in atherosclerotic subjects. Drugs Exp Clin Res. 1992;18(11-12):493-8.
17) Weschawalit, Sinee et al. “Glutathione and Its Antiaging and Antimelanogenic Effects.” Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology 10 (2017): 147–153. PMC. Web. 2 Oct. 2017.
18) AbhiramPrasadMBBS, MRCPaNeil PAndrewsMBBS, MRCPaFeroz Padder, MBBSa, Mohsin HusainBS, aArshed AQuyyumiMD, MRCP, FACC. Glutathione reverses endothelial dysfunction and improves nitric oxide bioavailability. Journal of the American College of Cardiology Volume 34, Issue 2, August 1999, Pages 507-514.
19) Pizzorno, Joseph. “Glutathione!” Integrative Medicine: A Clinician’s Journal 13.1 (2014): 8–12. Print.
