Written by Dr. Sanjana V.B Bhms,dbrm,cdn

Founder & medical director of siahmsr wellness.in

All rights reserved with siahmsr digital healthcare[siahmsr wellness]

Reviewed by SIAHMSR medical team.

Glutathione supplements

       Glutathione [GSH] is a powerful antioxidant found in every cell in human body. Glutathione is found naturally in your body as GSH [the reduced form], it is produced by the liver and nerve cells in the central nervous system. It is made of three types of molecules known as amino acids. Glutathione is a tripeptide made of cysteine, glycine, and glutamic acid amino acids.

History of glutathione

Glutathione was discovered by J. de Rey-Paihade in 1888 from extracts of yeast and many animal tissues.Earlier this newly discovered substance was known as philothion. Hopkins named the substance “glutathione.”

The structure of Glutathione was confirmed by Harington and Mead in 1935 through chemical synthesis from N-carbobenzoxycystine and glycine ethyl ester.

    Recently glutathione has gained much popularity as a skin brightening & anti-ageing antioxidant molecule as well as a peptide useful in many other medical conditions related to oxidative stress 

Glutathione is naturally synthesized by your body from amino acids. However it is available as synthesized supplements and injections. The use of supplements & injections is recommended only under the directions by a health care provider or doctor.

What is natural glutathione [GSH]?

      Glutathione is the major intracellular antioxidant in the liver. It is present in both reduced (glutathione) and oxidized (glutathione disulfide [GSSG]) forms at a total concentration approaching 10 mM. The precise relative amounts depend on the redox status of the cell.

In healthy cells, glutathione or reduced glutathione[GSH] level predominates over oxidized GSSG by as much as 100-fold.

Glutathione production is regulated in human body by some enzymes. Enzymatic regulation of the glutathione redox cycle is critical for maintaining levels of glutathione and the intracellular reducing environment. Glutathione reductase reduces GSSG to form glutathione, whereas glutathione peroxidase catalyzes the reverse reaction. Oxidative stress increases GSSG and stimulates the reductase, leading to regeneration of glutathione using reducing equivalents from NADPH.

As regeneration of NADPH requires ATP, the antioxidant capacity of the liver is directly associated with its ability to generate energy.Thus, liver cell injury caused by oxidative stress depletes the capacity of the liver for mounting a sustained antioxidant response.

Glutathione has antioxidant property, free radical scavenging and potential to regenerate important antioxidants such as vitamins C and E.

Reduced glutathione [GSH] is found in various cells of the human body and plays an important role in detoxification of many compounds such as chemicals and free radicals. Deficiency of glutathione increases the risk for oxidative damage to the cells. 

  Glutathione also regulates cell growth and death [apoptosis of cells].Cell cycle has crucial role in maintaining health and in preventing cancer. Glutathione helps to maintain mitochondrial DNA. Cellular and mitochondrial levels of glutathione are closely associated with health and longevity.

What causes glutathione depletion in human body? 

  Glutathione in the body can be decreased due to poor nutrition, chemical toxins, stress and old age.

Low glutathione levels are often linked with enhanced risk of cancer, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease.Oxidative stress is the major cause for depletion of glutathione in body cells.

 Glutathione plays a vital role in plays protecting hepatocytes, erythrocytes, and other cells against toxic injury [2].

Glutathione also prevents mercury from entering within the cells and becoming a potent toxin to cells.Toxins also cause oxidative stress to the body necessitating glutathione oxidation  and depletion of GSH or reduced glutathione.

Glutathione slows down cancer progression.Cancer is associated with oxidative stress. 

 Glutathione can slow down aging processes being an effective free radical scavenger and antioxidant promoter. It reduces the impact of oxidative stress on skin either way. It acts as cofactor for several antioxidant enzymes and help antioxidant action. Glutathione helps regeneration of vitamins C and E, both of which are very effective antioxidants in the body. 

 Hypertension [ high blood pressure], myocardial infarction, cholesterol oxidation are associated with low glutathione levels.

Neurodegenerative disorders Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Friedreich’s ataxia are associated with glutathione depletion. Glutathione levels are significantly reduced in the substantia nigra of patients with early Parkinson’s disease. However, researches show that only naturally synthesized glutathione can prevent the occurrence of parkinson’s disease. There is no evidence that glutathione supplements help to manage.

Are glutathione supplements quickly effective?

   Glutathione is poorly absorbed orally. The intact absorption of glutathione from dietary sources appears to be limited; it is hydrolyzed by intestinal gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT). Similarly, a study of oral glutathione supplementation found  that there is no increase in circulating levels of glutathione after supplement intake. 

If glutathione is prescribed orally, recommend a product which is protected from digestive tract enzyme which destroys glutathione. 

How to boost glutathione in your body through nutrient supplementation?

a)    Adequate glutathione levels are achieved through intake of foods rich in sulfur-containing amino acids such as asparagus, avocados, broccoli, spinach, garlic, and unprocessed meats etc.

b)    Intake of nutritional supplements that promote glutathione production such as vitamins C and E, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), selenium, silymarin, and curcumin. 

All these natural foods as well as vitamin and mineral supplements help your body to synthesize natural glutathione within the cells. This glutathione has no risk of being got digested. 

Diseases and role of glutathione supplements

Researchers have found links between low levels of glutathione and some diseases. It is possible to increase glutathione levels through oral or intravenous (IV) supplementation.FDA approval is lacking for intravenous glutathione injections for cosmetic purposes.

·       Reduced glutathione (GSH) is used often as oral supplements. In many nerve degenerative diseases no evidence is available currently to prove that glutathione supplements is helpful to prevent them.

·       Another option is to take supplements that activate the natural glutathione production in the body. These supplements include Milk thistle, N-acetyl cysteine, superoxide dismutase.

·       Limit your exposure to chemicals and toxins and promote intake of nourishing foods to naturally increase glutathione levels.

·       Intravenous (IV) glutathione may be used along with chemotherapy to lessen the toxic effects of chemotherapy under the directions from the consulting doctor.

·       Antioxidant property of glutathione 

Free radicals may contribute to aging and some diseases. Antioxidants help to counteract free radicals and protect the body from their damaging effects.Glutathione is a very strong antioxidant, partly because high concentrations can be found in every cell in the body.

  Glutathione helps in:

§  Preventing cancer progression

§  Reducing cell damage in liver disease

§  Improving insulin sensitivity

Insulin resistance can result in the development of type 2 diabetes. The production of insulin causes the body to move glucose (sugar) from the blood and into cells that use it for energy.

·       A study shows that oral glutathione, 250 mg/d, in both reduced and oxidized forms effectively influences skin properties [3]

·       Glutathione also possesses certain anti-aging properties. 

           Oxidative stress has been implicated in a number of diseases which include atherosclerosis, pulmonary fibrosis, cancer, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and aging [7]

However, currently  there is lack of adequate evidence to support the use of glutathione in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. N-acetyl cysteine is a precursor of glutathione and can help replenish reduced glutathione levels as a result of reactive oxygen species that play a role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease.

glutathione, n-acetyl-cysteine, α-lipoid acid, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin C, etc.) will help to prevent the accumulation of free radicals inside our cells thus reducing oxidative stress.

 Side effects of using glutathione supplements

No side effects have been reported with a high glutathione intake from diet alone and comprehensive research is lacking in this area.

However, glutathione supplements may cause cramping and bloating in some people.

 Allergic reactions, with rash are also reported. Inhaled glutathione has caused breathing problems with mild asthma.

Long-term use of glutathione supplements may lower zinc levels.

Supplementation with glutathione has not been very effective as the bioavailability of glutathione is low in the body as the hydrolytic enzymes that break down the glutathione upon ingestion.

Safety : To be avoided by pregnant or breastfeeding women.

References

1.    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18029489/
2.    https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/glutathione
3.    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5413479/
4.    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2501395/
5.    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4684116/
6.    https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323936#benefits
7.    https://jissn.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1550-2783-2-2-38