What are the Benefits of Glutathione?

As the “Mother of All Antioxidants”, glutathione (GSH) repairs and protects the body by boosting existing antioxidants and limiting oxidative stress. But thanks to modern lifestyles with some not-so-great habits and the onslaught of toxins we face every day, it’s easy for GSH supply to fall short of demand. 

While it may sound extreme, we know that effective glutathione supplements can improve just about every aspect of our health! As glutathione expert, Dr. Nayan Patel, says,

“Glutathione is involved in just about every function in your body.” So more glutathione = better function!

What is Glutathione?

Glutathione is a crucial element of our body’s detoxification process and helps us heal and protect ourselves from oxidative stress. Active in every system of the body, glutathione disarms the harmful free radicals generated by chemical reactions in cells, particularly in response to injury or disease.

Too many free radicals lead to oxidative stress, which occurs as free radicals damage the DNA and proteins inside our cells. GSH, however, alters free radicals into a safer form so the body can eliminate them. GSH can also recycle itself with the help of other vitamins like Vitamin C, ensuring we maintain the highest level of GSH.

What are the Benefits of Glutathione?

Low GSH and high oxidative stress are linked to a variety of health issues, like:

• Skin problems (acne, rosacea, psoriasis)
• Oral, colorectal, and breast cancers
• Heart disease
• Chronic inflammatory disorders (asthma, autoimmune disease)
• Neurodegenerative disorders (Alzeimer’s and Parkinson’s)

On the other hand, many studies show that raising glutathione levels reduces oxidative stress and boosts the body’s natural healing capabilities. This can improve symptoms and treatment outcomes for many conditions. Here are just a few examples:

• Patients with severe COVID-19 tend to have low glutathione levels as well as imbalances in cell redox and high oxidative stress. However, early data indicates that supplementing glutathione or its precursor, N-Acetylcysteine, can help patients recover from severe COVID-19 infections.
• A study in India showed that intranasal delivery of established medication with GSH can successfully control symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
• When psoriasis patients supplemented GSH along with existing treatments, they all saw improvement in symptoms.
• Glutathione blocks some production of melanin, leading to noticeable lightening of dark skin spots, which are a common sign of skin damage and aging.

Aside from specific conditions, many people find that general glutathione supplementation helps with overall health and wellness. Here are some of the specific benefits of glutathione:

Supports Liver & Detoxification 

The Liver is the clearinghouse of toxic substances for your body, and is heavily concentrated with Glutathione (GSH). GSH meets up with these toxins and deactivates them by either neutralizing them or flushing them out of the body.

Boosts Immune Function

Glutathione is considered the ‘food’ for your immune systems as it is responsible for regulating, producing, and activating the immune cells that help with fighting off bacteria, viruses, and other harmful foreigners in your body.

Increases Energy

GSH protects the Mitochondria, the powerhouse of your body, from oxidative stress and helps the mitochondria stay healthier so they can produce energy.

Reduces Inflammation

GSH modulates inflammatory markers by reducing the oxidative stress that is increased by exercise, diet, environmental toxins, and stress.

Improves Athletic Performance

Glutathione assists with cleaning up acids that are produced in your body when you endure strenuous exercise. GSH is also significantly concentrated in your lungs and low levels of GSH can impair functioning.

Improves Brain Health

As you age, the fatty tissues in your brain oxidize leading to a decline in your information-carrying capacity. GSH helps recharge the antioxidants that assist in balancing this oxidative stress.

How Do We Get More Glutathione?

Our bodies create glutathione using amino acids from our food. But this ability declines with age, often when we need even more! Additionally, underlying health issues and the often toxin-laden environment of the modern world can quickly use up our GSH stores.

Some practitioners prescribe supplementing GSH through oral droplets or IV infusions. However, we do not absorb GSH well through oral or digestive routes. Glutathione delivered by IV is not yet approved by the FDA and may only be active for up to 30 minutes.

Currently, the best form of GSH supplements is transdermal so long as the formula uses glutathione in a small enough form to travel through the skin barrier. Auro’s patented Glutaryl is one of the first glutathione products to use sub-nanotechnology to deliver GSH in a highly absorbable form. Their topical sprays and creams can be safely used at home or on the go.

You can also boost your glutathione levels with certain dietary and lifestyle changes. Find simple, effective plans to do this (along with much more info on GSH) in Auro founder Dr. Nayan Patel’s Glutathione Revolution. Or reach out with questions any time!