Glutathione (pronounced “glue-tuh-thigh-own”) is an antioxidant best known for protecting cells and tissues from oxidative damage. (9) The body produces this important antioxidant on its own; however, age, poor lifestyle habits, and other factors can diminish glutathione levels, leaving you more vulnerable to infection and chronic inflammatory conditions. (11)(27) Continue reading to learn the basics about glutathione as well as the lifestyle behaviors and dietary supplements that may help boost glutathione levels naturally.
Glutathione levels decrease naturally as you age.
What is glutathione?
Arguably the most important antioxidant in the body, glutathione protects cells from the damaging consequences of reactive oxygen species, toxins, and heavy metals. (10)(11)(14) Sometimes referred to as the “master antioxidant,” glutathione is produced endogenously, meaning it is synthesized by the body. Glutathione synthesis requires three amino acids, which include glutamate, cysteine, and glycine. (11)
In your cells, glutathione exists as either reduced (GSH) or oxidized (GSSG) glutathione. The ratio between these two forms serves as an indicator of cellular health. In healthy individuals, the ratio between GSH and GSSG is close to 1:100. In contrast, cells experiencing oxidative stress will have increased oxidized glutathione and a ratio of 1:10. (27)
Maintaining high glutathione concentrations and an appropriate GSH/GSSG ratio has been shown to not only protect cells from oxidative stress and damage but prevent tissue degeneration and slow disease progression as well. (11) Numerous factors can negatively influence glutathione production, including poor diet, (11) infection, aging, (37) and toxin exposure. (27)
Benefits of glutathione
Thanks to its cytoprotective (cell protecting) effects, glutathione may delay or slow the progression of certain chronic diseases. (11) Although much of the research examining the effects of glutathione is conducted in animal subjects, existing research suggests that glutathione has a significant effect on immune health and various chronic conditions. (18)
Supports immune system function
Glutathione plays an essential role in regulating the innate immune system, the body’s first line of defense against harmful pathogens. (10) It promotes a robust immune system by protecting host immune cells from oxidative damage and supporting the activity of lymphocytes and other immune cells in the body. (29)
Much of the scientific literature concludes that low levels of glutathione can have detrimental effects on the immune system, including increasing an individual’s susceptibility to infection. Even small changes in glutathione levels can have significant implications on immune cells and immune system function. (5)
Some research has indicated a connection between diminished glutathione levels and susceptibility to viral infection, such as the flu. (10) In vitro and in vivo studies also suggest that glutathione may exert antiviral effects. (2)(24)
Furthermore, glutathione has the potential to reduce the severity of symptoms related to various autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease, and lupus. (8)(15)(32) According to one study, glutathione supplementation reduced oxidative stress and inflammation, two factors that contribute to autoimmune conditions. (26)
Did you know? Glutathione has been shown to help with the treatment of HIV and AIDS by replenishing glutathione levels and improving immune system function. (4)
Reduces inflammation
Increased oxidative stress is directly linked to increased inflammation and risk of numerous chronic conditions. (11) Glutathione is believed to inhibit the inflammatory response and prevent the production of inflammatory cytokines that can contribute to chronic disease. (10)
When glutathione levels are too low, oxidative stress can cause harm. Glutathione depletion, not to be confused with the rare genetic condition glutathione synthetase deficiency that prevents the body from producing glutathione, (34) may contribute to the following conditions:
- Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease
- Cancer
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Cystic fibrosis (10)
- Heart disease
- HIV and AIDS
- Liver disease
- Obesity
- Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM)
- Type 2 diabetes (11)
How to boost glutathione levels naturally
Small adjustments to your daily habits, such as eating a healthy diet or getting enough exercise, may help maintain or improve glutathione levels.
Failing to get enough quality sleep can impact your glutathione levels.
Get enough sleep
Short-term and chronic lack of sleep can promote oxidative stress and deplete glutathione levels. (7)(33) In an animal study, deprivation of rapid eye movement sleep, a phase of deep sleep characterized by increased brain activity, resulted in significant reductions of glutathione in the brain. (19)
The National Sleep Foundation recommends that adults get between seven and nine hours of sleep per night. (31) Download a handout on sleep hygiene.
Eat a healthy diet
The Mediterranean diet, which promotes consuming an abundance of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, fish, and olive oil, has been shown to improve GSH/GSSG ratios. Similar to the Mediterranean diet, the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, which emphasizes consumption of healthy carbohydrates and fats, has also been shown to improve glutathione levels. (11)
Did you know? The Standard American Diet, consisting of highly processed foods, excess sugar, and fat, has been shown to impair glutathione synthesis. (11)
Eat sulfur-rich foods
One of the sulfur-containing amino acids needed for glutathione synthesis, cysteine, is not stored in the body and, therefore, must be consumed in the diet regularly. Without adequate intake of cysteine, the body depletes glutathione, thus impairing antioxidant defenses. (23) This amino acid is primarily found in high-protein foods, including poultry, meat, fish, and soybeans. (36)
Furthermore, consuming foods rich in sulfur-containing compounds known as glucosinolates has been shown to increase glutathione levels. Research indicates that eating sulfur-rich cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage, may reduce oxidative stress by increasing the body’s glutathione levels. (1)(21)
Consuming sulfur-rich foods, such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage, can help promote glutathione synthesis.
Limit alcohol consumption
Alcohol can have damaging effects on the liver, particularly when consumed in excess. Several studies have determined a correlation between chronic alcohol abuse and depleted glutathione in the liver and other tissues. (17)(37)
Exercise regularly
Research suggests that regular exercise may improve your body’s natural antioxidant defense system and boost glutathione levels. According to one study, participants who exercised three times per week for 40 minutes had higher glutathione levels than the control group that didn’t exercise. (6)
Dietary supplements for boosting glutathione
Beyond dietary and lifestyle modifications, supplementing with exogenous glutathione or glutathione precursors may help improve or preserve your levels.
Glutathione
Exogenous glutathione can be administered in numerous ways, including orally, sublingually, intravenously, transdermally, and via inhalation. Of these methods, oral supplementation is the most convenient; however, studies examining the efficacy of oral supplementation for improving glutathione levels and oxidative stress are inconclusive and more research is needed. (11)
In a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial, oral glutathione was shown to reduce oxidative stress and GSH/GSSG ratios. After six months, the group receiving a low dose saw average improvements of 17 to 29% in glutathione levels in erythrocytes, plasma, and lymphocytes, whereas the high-dose group saw improvements of 30 to 35%. (28)
As an alternative to exogenous glutathione, supplementing with glutathione precursors, such as certain micronutrients and protein, appear to be more effective in improving glutathione levels. (11)
N-acetylcysteine
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a precursor to cysteine, one of the amino acids the body needs to synthesize glutathione. (20) Studies indicate that supplementing with NAC can help preserve and replenish glutathione. (20)(30)
In a trial involving 100 subjects with varying baseline glutathione levels, 30 days of twice-daily NAC supplementation was shown to improve glutathione concentrations and reduce systemic oxidative stress in the group that began the trial with low glutathione. (25)
Disclaimer: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently adopted a position prohibiting supplement manufacturers from marketing N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) products as dietary supplements. At this time, all NAC products will remain available through the Fullscript catalog. Fullscript will be closely following the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) and the FDA for guidance and will not be removing NAC from the catalog until it is mandated. Fullscript’s quality team is continuing to monitor this situation, and should any changes occur, Fullscript will promptly notify practitioners.
Whey protein
Consuming foods rich in cysteine, such as whey protein, may promote glutathione synthesis, induce antioxidant defenses, and reduce inflammation. According to one study, participants who consumed whey protein for five days experienced an increase in serum glutathione levels compared to subjects receiving casein. (3)
Vitamin C
Similar to glutathione, vitamin C acts as an antioxidant that helps neutralize free radicals and protect the body’s cells. Consuming enough vitamin C, whether via diet or in combination with supplements, may also improve glutathione concentrations. Research suggests that vitamin C scavenges a larger percentage of free radicals, thus sparing glutathione. (16) In one study, lymphocyte (white blood cell) glutathione levels increased by 18% after supplementing with vitamin C for 13 weeks. (16) Another trial noted that vitamin C supplementation increased red blood cell glutathione levels by an average of 50%. (13)
Vitamin E
Vitamin E, an antioxidant naturally found in nuts, seeds, and leafy greens, (22) has protective effects on glutathione-dependent enzymes. Glutathione-dependent enzymes, such as glutathione S-transferases, help catalyze glutathione conjugation for the purpose of detoxification. (35) In a double-blind clinical trial, participants receiving vitamin E supplements for three months experienced an increase in glutathione levels. (12)
The bottom line
No matter your current health status, maintaining and replenishing glutathione is essential for promoting a healthy immune system and fending off oxidative damage from free radicals. By making lifestyle modifications, such as getting enough restful sleep, eating well, and incorporating dietary supplements when advised by your integrative medical practitioner, you can help your body synthesize glutathione naturally.
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This statements in this paragraph (right before the list and immediately after the list) are contradictory! Are these symptoms a sign of too MUCH GSH or LOW levels?
Glutathione is one of the body’s most dynamic and important antioxidants. This is why maintaining a well-balanced level of this antioxidant is particularly vital. Too much has been shown to have some side effects which include:
Muscle cramps
General irritability
Frequent headaches
Brain Fog
Anxiety
Insomnia/trouble sleeping
Rashes/itchy skin/skin problems
Have any, some, or all of these symptoms? You may be suffering from low GSH levels.
Even though it isn’t available through fullscript, I highly recommend the Glutathione phototherapy patch. It reflects infrared light frequencies in the body and tells your body to make more glutathione endogenously. Glutathione levels were shown to increase 300% within 48 hours. I haven’t seen a supplement be able to do that. That being said, I think that a high quality whole food diet is always necessary to have the building blocks to make glutathione internally.
The Glutathione patch helped me get rid of hundreds of acne pimples on my face and decades of “bumps” on my arms and thighs. Within 3 weeks my skin was smoother and within 3 months, the zits were gone. Amazing.
Hi Dr. Kan,
Thank you for this great suggestion! We’d love to submit this product request to our supply chain team. Would you be able to send us an email to support@fullscript.com with the details of this product?
Hi Ac. We always encourage discussion on these topics, so we appreciate you providing further information and insight. Our editors are looking into this paragraph you mentioned. Thank you for your feedback!
Is NAC supplement a good why of managing glutathione?
Hi AH,
According to this study found by out Integrative Medical Advisory Team, NAC is a precursor to glutathione and may increase glutathione levels in certain tissues! Please feel free to read more:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28987048
This was interesting, right up until you advised people to consume whey – whey, as you well know, is a milk protein and cow’s milk is very harmful to the human gut. The casein in milk, which comprises the bulk of the protein in cow’s milk has been scientifically shown to greatly influence NEGATIVE cell and gene expression in the human body. So I think I’ll skip the whey.
Hi Carla, thank you for your comment! Though studies have shown that working out is the primary focus of boosting glutathione levels, we also advise that before making any changes to health and wellness (like the choice of protein), a patient should always ask their healthcare practitioner! Thank you for providing a great discussion point.
Where can one get the glutathione patch ?”does it require a prescription?
TYPO FOUND! The word “MUCH” should have been “LITTLE” for the quote below from your article to make sense! Please review and correct!
Hi Gleda! Though we carry many forms of Glutathione on Fullscript, at this time we do not carry the patches. However, we recommend reaching out to your healthcare provider as they would have the best recommendation for what form you may need for your individual health needs.
Dr Kan Thank you for your input to this conversation. As far as no supplement being able to increase glutathione that much – I use a supplement that increases glutathione by 300% and that is for all 37 trillion cells that make up a body. This “supplment” also activates my genes to produce SOD, catalase and other free radical scavengers that reduce oxidative stress by an average of 40% in 30 days and up to 70% in 90. I am actually surprised the article didn’t mention it!
Hi Carol
Can you pls give the name of the glutathione you use.
Much appreciated,
Vicky
Dr Akan,
Where can one get this patch? Is it available in Canada? Is there a pill that is almost as effective as the patch?
Much appreciated,
Vicky
Hello, I’m taking Glutathione liquid and I notice that my menstrual pain go away but on the next month my period delay. It is bad those symptoms?
Hi Joan, thank you for your comment! In this case, we recommend checking in with your healthcare practitioner about your experience. They will be able to best support you and provide individualized care. Thanks again for reaching out!
Hi Pete, thank you very much for reaching out! We really appreciate it and have made the appropriate change. Wishing you a fantastic rest of your day ahead!
You might consider NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine) as a supplement for replenishing glutathione. Inexpensive and better bioavailability than glutathione itself.
Is it safe or effective to take glutathione or NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine) while breastfeeding?
Will my baby get it as well through the milk? Is it harmful for the baby?
TIA
Hi Tonya, thank you for your comment! Although we cannot provide medical advice, we do recommend speaking with your healthcare practitioner. Wishing you a wonderful day ahead!
Ac this is what the article actually said ” Common symptoms of depleted glutathione levels
Glutathione is one of the body’s most dynamic and important antioxidants. This is why maintaining a well-balanced level of this antioxidant is particularly vital. Too little has been shown to have some side effects which include:
Muscle cramps
General irritability
Frequent headaches
Brain Fog
Anxiety
Insomnia/trouble sleeping
Rashes/itchy skin/skin problems