Glutathione is the most important pleiotropic antioxidant in mammalian tissues (mainly synthesized by glutamic acid, cysteine , and glycine), and is often called the master of antioxidants.
Do you know the benefits of glutathione supplements?
Table of Contents
- What is glutathione?
- What are the benefits of glutathione?
- Are there any side effects of glutathione?
- Where to buy the most recommended glutathione?
What is glutathione?
In the human body, glutathione mainly plays the role of fighting free radicals, detoxifying foreign substances, reducing vitamin C, protecting DNA, regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis, regulating immune function, and fibrogenesis, etc. Far better than general antioxidants.
If glutathione is imbalanced, it is often associated with a variety of diseases, such as cancer, aging, cystic fibrosis, cardiovascular, inflammation, immune, metabolic, and neurodegenerative diseases.
What are the benefits of glutathione?
1. Beneficial immune function
The immune system is a complex combinations of multiple fine-cell-free cells that can help the body to avoid infectious pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites) and other harmful substances in the environment.
Once the immune function is degraded, it will produce a poor response to the vaccine, increase autoantigens, gradually lose the ability to recognize foreign antigens and increase the chance of infection and chronic diseases.
A preliminary clinical study (4 weeks, 12 healthy adults) pointed out that taking lipid glutathione (liposomal GSH) in addition to increasing glutathione levels in the blood and cells can also reduce oxidative stress and Improve immune function indicators (lymphocytes and natural killer cells).
Another controlled study (a period of 4 months, targeting 36 postmenopausal women) pointed out that oral acetylcysteine/N-acetylcysteine (NAC) can increase glutathione levels in white blood cells to achieve the effect of strengthening immune function.
*Conclusion: Increasing glutathione levels can increase antioxidant capacity and improve immune function, but it is still subject to confirmation due to the limited number of samples.
2. Beneficial non-alcoholic fatty liver
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease refers to liver metabolic diseases caused by non-alcohol, drugs, or genetics. It is mainly related to dietary habits and sedentary lifestyles. The prevalence rate in Western countries is about 20%-30%.
In addition to causing liver inflammation, the non-alcoholic fatty liver also significantly increases the incidence of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
A study (4 months, 34 non-alcoholic fatty liver patients) pointed out that oral glutathione can help reduce alanine aminotransferase (ALT, liver function index), attenuation parameter control (CAP, liver Fat accumulation level), free fatty acids and ferritin levels.
*Conclusion: Oral glutathione may have a positive effect on improving liver function and fatty liver, but the results still need to be confirmed by large-scale clinical trials.
3. Reduce the incidence of AF after cardiac surgery
Atrial fibrillation is a common complication after cardiac surgery. Depending on the type of surgery, the incidence can reach 10% to 65% (especially valve surgery and coronary artery bypass grafting are the most common), which greatly increases the length of hospitalization, stroke, and death. risk.
A meta-analysis of literature (including 10 randomized controlled trials, 1026 participants) pointed out that compared with the control group, the prophylactic use of glutathione precursor molecule: acetylcysteine (N-acetylcysteine) Helps reduce post-operative atrial fibrillation (post-operative atrial fibrillation) events and all-cause mortality, up to 44% and 60%, respectively (but there is no difference in overall hospital stay).
*Conclusion: The use of glutathione precursor molecule: N-acetylcysteine can reduce the probability of postoperative atrial fibrillation and all-cause mortality in adult patients.
4. Beneficial Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the CFTR gene.
The common symptoms of cystic fibrosis are abnormal thick secretions in the respiratory tract and pancreatic ducts, causing obstruction, inflammation, tissue damage, and even organ failure. Among them, obstructive lung disease is the most deadly. Others are sweat glands, hepatobiliary ducts, male reproductive system, and The intestine may also be affected.
A randomized, double-blind phase 2 clinical study (24 weeks, 70 patients with cystic fibrosis) pointed out that compared to placebo, oral glutathione precursor molecule: N-acetylcysteine It has the effect of maintaining or slightly improving lung function.
Another randomized double-blind controlled study (24-week, 70 cystic fibrosis patients) pointed out that oral reduced glutathione (reduced L-glutathione) can improve growth status (such as weight, height, BMI) and Intestinal inflammation.
*Conclusion: Glutathione or its precursor N-acetylcysteine may have a positive effect on cystic fibrosis.
5. Beneficial exercise muscle soreness
Muscle soreness after exercise usually occurs 6 to 12 hours after centrifugal exercise, accompanied by stiffness and loss of strength caused by muscle edema, which will gradually ease after about 5 to 7 days.
A controlled study (a 14-day study involving 29 men) pointed out that supplementation with the glutathione precursor molecule: N-acetylcysteine can help fight muscular soreness and partially suppress inflammation. Hormonal effect.
Are there any side effects of glutathione?
Glutathione is a relatively safe supplement for most adults. According to currently available studies, moderate use in the short term has not had any obvious side effects (but the safety of long-term use is still unknown), which has been reported as possible Side effects include flatulence, loose stools, and flushing of the skin.
Safety Precautions
Pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, and those with poor liver and kidney function are not allowed to use (because the relevant safety is unknown).
Glutathione may increase the sensitivity of the skin to light due to its inhibitory effect on melanin formation.
Do not use in patients with allergic rhinitis or asthma (as it may worsen symptoms).
Some products contain additional additives and preservatives, which may cause symptoms such as allergies. Please read the product label before use.
Is additional glutathione useful?
Glutathione raw materials are mainly derived from protein in food, and some claim that additional intake of glutathione supplements cannot effectively increase the concentration in cells or tissues.
In this regard, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (6 months, 54 non-smoking adults) pointed out that daily supplementation with glutathione supplements can indeed increase the stock of human tissues, The increase is positively correlated with the intake dose and time of use.
Where to buy the most recommended glutathione?
In recent years, food safety problems in various countries have exploded, and it is not healthy but black-hearted products that everyone spends on. Therefore, European and American products with relatively strict quality control have become popular products.
And iHerb.com is a large-scale medical cosmetics e-commerce company in the United States. It has a high satisfaction rate of 97% in the evaluation of Google customers. It provides global home delivery so that you can buy it without risking buying fakes through purchasing high-quality health products.
