You must be hearing about the term Glutathione a lot lately. It is definitely generating a lot of buzz for some surprising health benefits. From lightening the skin tone to helping with serious nerve or tissue damage in the body, it does it all. It is even believed to extend the lifespan! That does sound great, right?
Keep scrolling to learn everything about this ‘recently-popular’ hype.
What is Glutathione?
Glutathione is a naturally occurring master antioxidant produced by the liver. Glutathione production in the liver helps neutralize free radicals and aids in the body detoxification.
Think of it as a sponge that soaks up all the bacteria, viruses, toxic electrophilic molecules, and reactive peroxides to help maintain your body’s overall well-being. If not, all these toxins can cause cellular damage by developing oxidative stress.
In the body sometimes, molecules with excess oxygen are produced. These molecules are very reactive in nature and have the ability to destroy even other important biomolecules. Glutathione assists the body’s machinery in removing these harmful oxygen-containing molecules.
Glutathione is made of three essential amino acids- glutamine, glycine, and cysteine. The combination of these three amino acids produces a peptide that is the most crucial and powerful antioxidant of the body, to the extent that the amount of Glutathione in the cells can determine the life of any organism.
How did Glutathione become so popular?
Honestly, it gained a lot of popularity after the surprising cosmetic results of skin whitening. People have started taking it as a beauty enhancer.
It was an accidental discovery when skin lightening was noticed as a side effect of high doses of Glutathione. It’s especially a ray of hope for people who severely suffer through conditions like Melasma and Hyperpigmentation.
What are all the benefits of Glutathione?
Helps reduce oxidative stress
High Oxidative stress means a high level of free radicals in the body, which can also lead to conditions like cancer, arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, fatty liver disease, heart disease, autism, OCD, fast aging, autoimmune diseases like lupus, and some more neurological diseases.
Researchers found that a high dosage of glutathione in the body soaks up all the harsh chemicals, and free radicals and decreases oxidative stress in the body that contributes to these chronic age-related conditions.
Free Radicals are mostly triggered by a few factors like Smoking, Pollution, Certain pesticides, too much Sun exposure especially in the mid afternoon and exposure to Harsh chemicals. Also, an imbalanced diet with high sugar, refined carbs, and alcohol can be a contributing factor in producing more free radicals in the body.
Keeps the Immune System strong and improves stamina.
One of the clinical trials found that people who had high levels of Glutathione in the body had elevated levels of NK cells A.K.A natural killer cells and more Lymphocytes, the body’s front-line infection fighters which definitely keeps the immune system solid.
Increasing Glutathione levels help with the effects of chronic conditions like Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s.
Glutathione supplements support healthy brain cell function. This powerhouse of antioxidants is very important for the cellular detoxification of reactive oxygen cells that have the ability to destroy other important biomolecules and create neurological problems like Bipolar disorder, OCD, Alzheimer’s, or Parkinson’s disease.
Even a high dosage of glutathione twice a day for 30 days has proven the improvement in diseases like Parkinson’s.
Helps with conditions like fatty liver disease
Obesity and high diabetes are two major causes of fatty liver in nonalcoholic people. Both oral and injectable forms of Glutathione treatment have shown positive results for decreasing Non esterified fatty acids, cell damage, ALT levels, triglycerides, and ferritin levels of the individual. The peptide produced by Glutathione significantly improves protein and enzyme levels in the blood of the fatty liver’s person.
Tremendously improves skin
Glutathione is known to suppress tyrosinase production which is an enzyme responsible for melanin production in the skin. Hence, it significantly brightens the skin tone and is often taken by people suffering from Hyperpigmentation, Melasma or fading lesions. Although, Food and Drug Administration doesn’t suggest taking the Glutathione shot except if it’s prescribed purposely by your doctor as it may have toxic effects on the liver, kidney, and nervous system in some cases.
Glutathione is also known for its anti-aging benefits. It smooths out the rough skin, gives a brighter skin and clears any bumps or fine lines.
There is a small study that indicated that daily intake of whey protein improved the skin condition called psoriasis. Whey protein is said to increase Glutathione levels and hence balanced Glutathione levels in the body can help improve Psoriasis too.
Boosts Longevity
Glutathione supplement has increased lifespan by 24% in mice according to a study in Houston, but more study is needed to confirm the efficacy in Humans.
How to produce Glutathione in the body naturally?
Free radical damage can’t be completely avoided as it may sometimes get triggered by even mild inflammation in the body, over-exercising sometimes or if you’re not getting enough sleep, but that’s not something to worry about.
A little inflammation once in a while is bound to happen to all and the human body is pretty smart to take care of that on its own with just healthy food and adequate sleep.
However, there can be a few additions of food items in your diet on daily basis that help decrease the formation of free radicals naturally. Oxidative stress in the body is reduced by increasing more antioxidants like:
- All kinds of berries
- Oranges
- Avocadoes
- Okra
- Asparagus
- Unpasteurized Milk
- All dark leafy vegetables
- Tomatoes
- Olives
- Carrots
- Whey Protein
- Onions
- Increase your Vitamin C intake by eating more Gooseberries, Golden berries, Bell peppers, and Kiwi.
- Turmeric, Cinnamon, Garlic, and Ginger
- More Sulphur rich food like Broccoli, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts, Bok Choy, Kale, Watercress, Beef, Fish, and Poultry
- All kinds of Seeds and Nuts especially Brazil nuts for it to be selenium loaded.
These were the food items that increase Glutathione levels naturally in the body. There are more lifestyle alternations that are helpful in boosting Glutathione levels naturally like:
- Exercising – 30 mins at least every day
- Quit smoking – stay away from secondhand smoke as well.
- Lower your alcohol consumption to the minimum
- Protect yourself from toxic breathing like pesticides, harsh chemicals, or radiation exposure
- Give your body a minimum of 7-8 hours of sleep every night
- Take a power nap of 20-30 mins after having lunch every noon
- Avoid overeating all the time. Eat at adequately spaced intervals. The body constantly fights oxidative stress when you put in too much food unnecessarily.
- Protect your skin from harmful UV radiation, especially between 12 PM-4 PM. Wear sunscreen religiously.
Are Glutathione Injections more effective than Oral supplements?
Absolutely yes, Glutathione comes in all forms: topical creams, oral glutathione supplements, IV therapy, and injections.
Glutathione injections are more effective than oral supplements for not losing any antioxidant benefits in the digestive tract. They are injected into your muscles for absorption directly into the bloodstream.
IV therapy is also a good option to minimize any antioxidant waste, but it needs to be done in a clinic.
Any Side Effects of Glutathione supplement?
- According to the FDA, the side effects of Glutathione injections for skin lightning have toxic effects on the liver, kidneys, and nervous system.
- There is also a possible concern to develop Stevens-Johnson Syndrome as a side effect, it’s a rare and serious disorder of the skin and mucous membrane.
- Given that Glutathione affects melanin production in the body, there are some concerns about the long-term skin cancer risk. It is not foolproof but a theoretical concern.
- If the procedure is done in a non-sterile facility or by a non-medical practitioner, there is a slight possibility of transmission of infectious agents such as Hepatitis C and B, and HIV.
If you must get Glutathione injections, consult only a board-certified dermatologist and from a licensed pharmacy. Don’t buy these medical products online as beauty products.
Who should not take Glutathione injections?
If you are considering starting with the Glutathione injections for skin benefits or any other age-related chronic illness concern, do not proceed without talking to your physician first. There’s a list of things that need to be addressed before getting on the Glutathione journey. Like:
- Whether you are taking any other supplements or medicines
- If you have asthma, it’s highly advised not to take Glutathione in any form
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding or in general have a sensitive body type, Glutathione is not a good option for you.
Discuss your health details with your doctor first and proceed as they advise.
Final takeaway
Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant which is made of three amino acids and is produced by the liver. Glutathione deficiency in the body can lead to serious issues like Anemia, frequent infections, or even loss of coordination.
Doses of Glutathione support age-related concerns, cure chronic illness, boost the immune function and fight off chronic fatigue to increase energy levels. It is also said to help with weight loss, give stronger hair, glowing skin and even extend the lifespan.
For sure it’s an emerging treatment and a hope for unfortunate health conditions but needs more research in the safety department.
Glutathione needs a series of treatments to show some results on the skin. Although, a lot of people have reported that they have seen a huge difference in the energy levels of the body and alertness of the mind from the very first session.
You can give it a try if you are battling any health concerns but please make sure to pre-discuss everything about Glutathione with your healthcare provider to be 100% safe.
Love~ Beauty Stroll
References
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glutathione
