De-Mystifying Glutathione

L-Glutathione is an antioxidant which is found in every cell of the human body. Unlike other antioxidants, Glutathione is a unique antioxidant which is produced in the liver of a human body. Glutathione is made up of three amino acids, these amino acids are Glutamine, Glycine and Cysteine. Glutathione is produced naturally in the human body but with increasing age the production of glutathione in the liver might slow down. When the liver is not able to produce glutathione as effectively as it used to then you can take glutathione pills or injections. 

Glutathione also helps in building and repairing tissues in the body which helps in making chemicals and proteins which are needed in the human body. Glutathione also supports our body’s immune system. Glutathione is available in the form of pills, syrup, creams, serums and injections. Glutathione is also used for skin whitening treatment. There is not much scientific evidence available about its skin benefits but people who used glutathione pills and injections have noticed their complexion to be one to two shades lighter.

 Glutathione is an antioxidant so it is also recommended by some dermatologists to use it as an anti-aging medicine. There are many cosmetic brands like Derma Co, Kozicare, Vaseline and Natural Vibes which makes glutathione soaps, serums, night creams and body lotions. However, Taking glutathione pills (orally) can be more effective for glowing skin and anti aging benefits than using creams and serums because the body absorbs glutathione better when it is taken orally in the form of pills. There are few benefits of taking glutathione pills and injections which we will talk about in detail. 

Uses of Glutathione pills

Glutathione reduces oxidative stress

High levels of oxidative stress can be the cause of various diseases like cancer, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. Oxidative stress is caused when there is an imbalance in the production of free radicals and the human body is not able to fight it. Glutathione helps in reducing oxidative stress and can be useful for the treatment of certain liver diseases, cancer, psoriasis and diabetes. 

Improves psoriasis- 

Glutathione can improve psoriasis. Studies have shown that when whey protein is taken orally it can improve psoriasis. Whey protein can increase glutathione levels in the body although there is more research going on about this and scientists are already experimenting on how to treat psoriasis with glutathione pills.

Glutathione reduces cell damage in liver disease 

Glutathione can reduce the cell damage in alcoholic and non alcoholic liver diseases. Death of liver cells can be caused by a deficiency of antioxidants including glutathione. This can cause a fatty liver in people who consume alcohol regularly and also those who don’t. It can happen to anyone. People who suffer from fatty liver disease can take glutathione pills as it can improve in building protein, enzymes and bilirubin levels in blood of the individuals who have fatty liver disease. Studies show that glutathione is very effective on people with fatty liver disease when given high dosage. High levels of glutathione reduced cell damage in the liver of the individuals who suffered from fatty liver disease.

Glutathione improves insulin resistance and fat burning in Old people-

As we grow older, our body produces less glutathione. Studies have shown that low glutathione levels will slow down the process of fat burning in the body and the body will slowly begin storing fats. When you start taking glutathione pills the fats will start burning normally which can improve insulin resistance and fat burning.

Glutathione reduces ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory disease linked to oxidative stress. Glutathione can reduce oxidative stress in the human body and can cure ulcerative colitis. More research is needed to describe the role of glutathione in reducing ulcerative colitis. 

Ways to increase glutathione in your body

Eat more sulfur rich foods- sulfur rich foods like beef, fish and poultry. Vegetarian sources of sulfur are cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale and mustard greens. Studies have revealed that eating sulfur rich foods can reduce oxidative stress by increasing glutathione levels in the body. 

Include more vitamin c in diet- Vitamin c plays an important role in maintaining the level of glutathione in the body. Research has shown that increasing vitamin c in the diet can increase glutathione levels. Vitamin c is also an antioxidant which fights against free radicals first while storing the glutathione. Vitamin c also protects the body from oxidative stress. Taking good vitamin c will increase the amount of glutathione in the body by converting oxidized glutathione into its active form. 

Eat foods rich in selenium- Selenium is a mineral which is needed for glutathione activity. Selenium helps maintain the body’s supply of glutathione. Some of the best sources of selenium are poultry, fish, cottage cheese, brown rice, chicken, beef and nuts. 

You can take a whey protein supplement- whey protein is a protein which contains cysteine. Cysteine is an amino acid which is required to produce glutathione and is involved in glutathione synthesis. If you take whey protein your body will start producing cysteine which will increase glutathione in your body. 

Get proper sleep- Try to get enough sleep for at least 8 hours everyday. Lack of sleep can produce oxidative stress in the body and can even cause hormonal imbalances. Some research has shown that lack of sleep can decrease glutathione levels in the body due to high stress. Make sure you get good restful sleep at night to maintain your glutathione levels and other antioxidants. 

Reduce consumption of alcohol -Alcohol can cause many diseases like liver cirrhosis, brain damage and pancreatitis. Alcohol and smoking regularly can also damage the lungs. The small airways of the lungs require glutathione to function properly but when the lungs are damaged glutathione level is decreased. Regular use of alcohol can cause severe oxidative stress and can reduce glutathione in the body. It’s advised to limit the intake of alcohol to maintain glutathione.

Glutathione in skin care

Nowadays everyone wants a radiant , glowing , firm and wrinkle free skin.Glutathione pills are known to increase your skin’s firmness making it less wrinkly and a perfect anti aging product. Glutathione is a powerful skin healing antioxidant which when orally taken gives beautiful results on the skin. Glutathione can hydrate the skin for a glowy look and it also brightens the skin by removing pigmentation and spots from the skin. Glutathione is a detoxifier which fights with the free radicals caused by alcohol consumption, smoking, pollution, stress and sunlight. The free radicals damage the skin structure and can cause pigmentation, sun spots and premature aging. 

Glutathione can neutralize these free radicals and help in maintaining a healthy skin. Glutathione is also beneficial in reducing acne and melasma. There are many glutathione skin scare products like lotions, moisturizer, lip balm, mask, serum cream etc. Glutathione pills are more effective for skin healing than creams or serums. Glutathione is low molecular weight and water soluble tripeptide which is easily absorbed by the body. Glutathione is a skin rejuvenating natural substance which fades away fine lines, lessens wrinkles and enhances skin elasticity.

 Glutathione pills reduce oxidative stress and eliminate toxins from the body which is useful in slowing down aging and fading dark spots. Many people have noticed a reduction in their pigmentation after they started taking glutathione pills. Glutathione inhibits tyrosinase which lessens dark spots, improves pigmentation and gives the skin a beautiful glow. Inhibition of tyrosinase reduces the melanin level in the skin. Melanin is the substance which gives color to the skin and when melanin decreases the skin gets lighter and brighter. 

Glutathione pills help in reducing melanin in the skin which leads to a more even skin tone. Glutathione pills are also very effective in removing tanning. Glutathione also protects skin against harmful UltraViolet rays and other pollutants. Glutathione also boosts our immune system which is necessary to maintain a healthy skin. There are many ways to incorporate glutathione in your skin care routine to get more even toned and glowy skin. You can start by using a glutathione serum . Try to use a water based light serum which is easily absorbed into the skin. You can use a glutathione moisturizer for the face or a sunscreen with glutathione.The most effective way to increase glutathione is to take glutathione pills and supplements. 

You can go to a nearby dermatologist and they will guide you on how much dosage you should take. People usually start taking glutathione pills in small doses then take more accordingly. You can also keep using the skin care products containing glutathione while taking glutathione pills and supplements for the best results. Any face cream or serum should contain not more than 5% glutathione as this is the safe amount. So you can use up to five percent glutathione face serums and creams while taking two hundred fifty mg of glutathione for a nourished, even toned, wrinkle free and moisturized skin.

 Glutathione pills work best if taken with vitamin c supplements. Glutathione and vitamin c both are antioxidants which have anti-aging properties. Combination of these two works very well against skin damage and leaves you with youthful looking skin. Vitamin c and glutathione pills should be taken in equal doses to improve the overall appearance of the skin. It takes at least three weeks for glutathione to show any results. Glutathione pills can also produce collagen which is very useful for muscles and it keeps the skin firm by preventing it from sagging. To maintain healthy levels of glutathione in the body you should avoid consuming alcohol, smoking cigarettes, processed foods, dairy products and caffeine. 

Risks of taking glutathione

There are no such harmful risks of taking glutathione. More research and information is needed on the risks of taking glutathione. However there are few small risks of taking glutathione pills. Taking glutathione pills may sometimes cause issues in your stomach. You might feel bloated, get mild cramps or have loose stools. Inhalation of glutathione can also cause breathing problems in people with asthma. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not use glutathione pills as there is not enough reliable information available on how glutathione pills will affect the babies. 

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Glutathione 

Question 1- What is glutathione? 

Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant which is necessary for the detoxification of the body and for strengthening the immune system. Glutathione consists of three amino acids which are glycine, cysteine and glutamate. Glutathione pills work wonders for the immune system. It can help prevent some diseases like cancer, diabetes, arthritis and oxidative stress. Glutathione pills are also used for skin whitening and brightening. 

Question 2- How does glutathione work? 

Glutathione pills work by fighting against harmful free radicals which are caused due to smoking, consuming alcohol, pollution, eating too much processed food, consuming too much caffeine and oxidative stress. Glutathione pills remove the damaged cells in our body and are used to treat various diseases like liver diseases , neurological diseases, certain heart conditions and psoriasis. 

Question 3- What are the benefits of glutathione? 

Glutathione has many health and skin benefits. Glutathione helps in weight management. Glutathione pills can cure many diseases related to the liver, lungs and kidney. Glutathione pills boost our immune system by removing damaged cells from the body. Glutathione pills reduce oxidative stress from our body which is a cause of many diseases. These pills also work wonders for the skin as glutathione pills have skin rejuvenating properties. Glutathione can whiten, brighten and tighten the skin leaving it looking more nourished, even toned and radiant. Glutathione pills are good for overall health and skin appearance.

Question 4- How to increase glutathione levels? 

Glutathione levels can be increased by making small changes in the lifestyle like reducing alcohol consumption and reducing smoking. You can eat sulfur rich foods like fish, poultry, beef etc. Other vegetarian sources of sulfur include vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, beans, sprouts,spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms, kale and cabbage. Include more vitamin c in the diet as vitamin c helps store glutathione in the body. Start taking Whey protein in the diet because it increases glutathione levels in the body as it contains cysteine which is an amino acid used to produce glutathione. You can also take glutathione pills or supplements along with vitamin c supplements to increase glutathione levels. 

Question 5- Are there any side effects of glutathione pills? 

While glutathione pills and supplements are usually considered safe there might be small risks linked to it. You can have loose stools, stomach issues and mild stomach cramps. If you inhale glutathione then it may cause breathing trouble in people with asthma. There is not much research done on the risks of taking glutathione pills or supplements. 

Question 6- Can glutathione whiten the skin? 

Glutathione reduces the level of melanin present in the skin. Melanin is a substance which gives color to your skin and when the melanin levels are reduced skin gets visible lighter and brighter. Glutathione can be used for pigmentation around the mouth and on dark spots to lighten it and achieve more even toned complexion. Orally taking glutathione pills is a more effective way to get rid of the uneven skin tone and dark patches. Along with brightening, glutathione pills can also reduce wrinkles, blemishes and smile lines making your look younger. 

Question 7- How long does it take to notice results after taking glutathione? 

Glutathione pills should be taken for at least two months to see visible results. If glutathione pills or supplements are taken with vitamin c then you can get results faster. If you’re using glutathione creams or serums then the results might show late as creams are not effective like glutathione pills. 

Question 8- Can glutathione pills help with Liver problems? 

Yes, glutathione pills can help with liver problems. Glutathione is an antioxidant which fights against damage causing free radicals in the body and helps in detoxification of the liver. In some liver diseases doctors can prescribe glutathione injections or glutathione pills to make the condition better. 

Question 9- How much glutathione is safe to consume? 

You can take 250 to 500 mg of glutathione. Studies suggest that taking 500 mg of glutathione for two to three weeks can show faster results. Taking 500 mg of glutathione with Vitamin c can change glutathione levels in the body within two weeks. 

Question 10- what to consider before starting glutathione? 

You should start taking glutathione in small doses. Before starting glutathione pills you should consult your doctor. Dosage of glutathione depends on your condition. Some people take glutathione for liver disease and some take it for skin issues like pigmentation and dark spots. pregnant and lactating women should not take glutathione pills as there is not much research on how it will affect the babies.