Glutathione

What is Glutathione?

Glutathione is a naturally occurring tripeptide, a small protein made up of three amino acids: glutamine, cysteine, and glycine. It is produced by every cell in the human body and is widely regarded as the body's master antioxidant. Unlike most antioxidants we consume through food or supplements, glutathione is synthesized internally, meaning your body makes it on its own. It plays a critical role in neutralizing free radicals, reducing oxidative stress, and maintaining cellular health. The problem is that glutathione levels naturally decline with age, poor diet, stress, environmental toxins, and certain medications, leaving cells more vulnerable to damage and disease. Supplementing with glutathione is aimed at restoring and maintaining those levels, supporting everything from immune function and detoxification to energy production and skin health.

History & Discovery

Glutathione was first identified in 1888 by French chemist J.N. Gaultier, who isolated it from yeast. At the time, its significance wasn't fully understood. It wasn't until 1921 that British biochemist Sir Frederick Gowland Hopkins, who later won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, characterized glutathione more thoroughly and recognized it as a critical component of cellular function. Hopkins identified it as a dipeptide, though its full tripeptide structure wasn't confirmed until 1929. Throughout the mid-20th century, research into glutathione expanded significantly as scientists began to understand its role in oxidative stress and cellular protection. By the 1980s and 1990s, glutathione had become a major focus of research in aging, immune function, and chronic disease. Today it is one of the most studied molecules in biochemistry, with thousands of published studies exploring its role in everything from cancer research and neurodegenerative disease to athletic performance and skin health.

How it Works

Glutathione works primarily as an antioxidant and detoxification agent at the cellular level. As an antioxidant, glutathione neutralizes free radicals, unstable molecules that damage cells, proteins, and DNA. It does this by donating an electron to stabilize the free radical, rendering it harmless. What makes glutathione unique is its ability to regenerate itself after this process, cycling back into its active form to continue protecting cells. Glutathione also plays a central role in the body's detoxification process, particularly in the liver. It binds to toxins, heavy metals, and harmful compounds, converting them into water-soluble substances that can be safely excreted from the body. Beyond antioxidant and detox functions, glutathione:

— Supports the immune system by promoting the proliferation of T-cells and natural killer cells

— Regenerates other antioxidants including Vitamin C and Vitamin E

— Plays a role in DNA synthesis and repair

— Supports mitochondrial function and energy production

— Regulates inflammatory response at the cellular level In short, glutathione operates as a foundational layer of cellular defense

— when levels are optimal, nearly every system in the body functions more efficiently.

Safety & Considerations

Glutathione is generally well-tolerated by healthy adults at standard doses. That said, the following side effects have been documented in clinical studies:

— Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding

— Individuals with asthma should use with caution

— inhaled glutathione has been associated with bronchospasm in some cases

— Mild digestive discomfort, bloating, gas, or loose stools may occur, particularly when first starting supplementation

— these typically resolve as the body adjusts

— Skin rash or allergic reaction has been reported in rare cases

— Long-term high-dose use may reduce zinc levels

— A temporary "detox" response including mild fatigue may occur in the first one to two weeks as the body begins clearing stored toxins

— May interact with certain chemotherapy drugs, consult your healthcare provider if you are currently undergoing cancer treatment

If you have an existing health condition or are currently on medication, consult your healthcare provider before starting. If any adverse reactions occur, discontinue use immediately.

Sources

1. Pizzorno, J. (2014). Glutathione! Integrative Medicine: A Clinician's Journal, 13(1), 8–12. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4684116/

2. Richie, J.P. et al. (2015). Randomized controlled trial of oral glutathione supplementation on body stores of glutathione. European Journal of Nutrition, 54(2), 251–263.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24791752/

3. Honda, Y. et al. (2017). Efficacy of glutathione for the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. BMC Gastroenterology, 17(1), 96. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12876-017-0652-3

4. Mischley, L.K. et al. (2017). Phase IIb study of intranasal glutathione in Parkinson's disease. Journal of Parkinson's Disease, 7(2), 289–299. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.3233/JPD-161040

5. Perricone, C. et al. (2009). Glutathione: A key player in autoimmunity. Autoimmunity Reviews, 8(8), 697–701.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19393193/

6. Allen, J. & Bradley, R.D. (2011). Effects of oral glutathione supplementation on systemic oxidative stress biomarkers in human volunteers. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 17(9), 827–833.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21875344/

7. Lutchmansingh, F.K. et al. (2018). Glutathione metabolism in type 2 diabetes and its relationship with microvascular complications and glycemia. PLoS ONE 13(6): e0198626.

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0198626

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The following information is based on published third-party research and is provided for educational purposes only. It does not represent the effects of any Resilience EQ product. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.