Updated: August 5, 2019
Glutathione (GSH) is an antioxidant in plants, animals, fungi, and some bacteria and archaea. Glutathione is capable of preventing damage to important cellular components caused by reactive oxygen species such as free radicals, peroxides, lipid peroxides, and heavy metals. While most antioxidants are found in the foods you eat, glutathione is produced naturally by the liver. It is primarily made up of three amino acids: glutamine, glycine and cysteine.
Glutathione level may decreases because of poor diet, chronic disease, infection and constant stress. It also decreases with age. Glutathione is involved in many processes in the body, including tissue building and repair, making chemicals and proteins needed in the body, and for the immune system.
Glutathione can be taken by mouth for treating cataracts and glaucoma, preventing aging, treating or preventing alcoholism, asthma, cancer, heart disease (atherosclerosis and high cholesterol), hepatitis, liver disease, diseases that weaken the bodyâs defense system (including AIDS and chronic fatigue syndrome), memory loss, Alzheimerâs disease, osteoarthritis, and Parkinsonâs disease. Glutathione is also used for maintaining the bodyâs defense system (immune system) and fighting metal and drug poisoning.
Glutathione is breathed in (inhaled) for treating lung diseases, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, and lung disease in people with HIV disease.
Glutathione can be given as a shot (by injection into the muscle) for preventing poisonous side effects of cancer treatment (chemotherapy) and for treating the inability to father a child (male infertility).
Glutathione is also used intravenously (by injection into the vein, by IV) for preventing âtired bloodâ (anemia) in kidney patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment, preventing kidney problems after heart bypass surgery, treating Parkinsonâs disease, improving blood flow and decreasing clotting in individuals with âhardening of the arteriesâ (atherosclerosis), treating diabetes, and preventing toxic side effects of chemotherapy.
Sulfur is important for producing glutathione. Therefore, you can add sulfur-rich proteins such as beef, fish and poultry, as well as allium and cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale, watercress and mustard greens.in your diet to increase the level of glutathione. Eating sulfur-rich vegetables may reduce oxidative stress by increasing glutathione levels.
Vitamin C may help increase glutathione levels by attacking free radicals first, thereby sparing glutathione. Vitamin C also helps reprocess glutathione by converting oxidized glutathione back to its active form. Strawberries, citrus fruits, papayas, kiwis and bell peppers are all examples of foods rich in vitamin C.
Selenium is a cofactor for the production of glutathione. Fish, organ meats, and Brazil nuts are all selenium-rich foods that may help increase your levels naturally.
Dietary glutathione is not fully absorbed by the body. However, including foods naturally high in glutathione, like avocados, spinach, and okra, may help decrease oxidative stress.
Whey protein is a good source of cysteine, which helps maintain adequate glutathione production. Therefore, whey protein may help increase your levels.
Reducing side effects of chemotherapy treatments for cancer.
More evidence is needed to rate glutathione for the uses in other conditions.
Glutathione is possibly safe for most adults when taken by mouth, by inhalation, or by injection into the muscle or into the veins. But the possible side effects are not known.
Not enough is known about the use of glutathione during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Do not inhale glutathione if you have asthma. It can increase some asthma symptoms.
Glutathione has no known severe interactions with other drugs. However, do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or health care provider.
The following doses have been studied in scientific research and is recommended:
600 mg/day intramuscularly days 2-5 of chemotherapy
1.5 g/m2 intravenously before chemotherapy
600 mg intramuscularly every other day for two months
250 mg orally once daily
Dose range: 50-600 mg/day
600 mg via nebulizer twice daily
The best way to get enough of omega-3 is to include foods that are rich in omega-3 in your diet, like fatty fish,walnut etc.
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in many foods.
Vitamin D plays an important role in maintaining proper bone structure.
Vitamin A is likely safe for most people when taken by mouth or given as a shot into the muscle in amounts less than 10,000 IU daily.
The liquid remaining after milk has been curdled and strained is known as whey.
Meal replacement shakes are prepared to provide the nutrition of a full meal, just like protein shakes
An energy drink is a type of drink that contains sugar and stimulant compounds, usually caffeine.
Vitamin K is actually a group of compounds and the name vitamin K comes from the German word 'Koagulationsvitamin.'