Glutathione is an antioxidant that supports the immune system and prevents cell damage. It is found in many foods and available as a supplement, but its effectiveness is not established. Inhaled glutathione may help lung diseases, while injected glutathione may offset chemotherapy’s negative effects. There are no known side effects, but interactions occur with alcohol and acetaminophen. Safe doses have not been established.
The antioxidant glutathione is an amino acid protein molecule produced in the liver, where toxins typically accumulate. This substance supports the body’s immune system and helps prevent cell damage from free radicals. Glutathione exists in many foods, including a wide range of meats, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. It is also available as a supplement in alternative medicine by mouth, inhalation, or injection. Some research shows that when the antioxidant glutathione is taken orally, it is not absorbed by the body.
When the supplements are used in alternative medicine, practitioners say they detoxify the body to counteract the effects of cancer-causing toxins. The substance is also marketed as an aid to treat high cholesterol, hardening of the arteries, cystic fibrosis, and other conditions. Other uses include Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and chronic fatigue syndrome. Based on some small studies, the antioxidant glutathione taken orally may be of no value. It can be useful when inhaled for certain disorders.
The inhaled form of the supplement could help people suffering from asthma, emphysema, cystic fibrosis, and other lung diseases. Preliminary studies with a small sample of participants revealed some benefits for these disorders. Glutathione antioxidant supplements are not approved by drug regulatory agencies, which means their effectiveness has not been established.
In its injected form, the antioxidant glutathione could help offset the negative effects of chemotherapy on the immune system. Chemotherapy as a cancer treatment generally kills cancer cells along with healthy cells that fight infection. A prescription is needed for the injected and inhaled forms of this supplement.
Glutathione occurs naturally in a wide range of foods. Avocados, walnuts, and asparagus contain especially high levels of the antioxidant. Some dairy products, such as yogurt, cottage cheese, and ricotta cheese, are high in these amino acids. It can also be found in many meats, beans, and legumes. Fruits and vegetables high in glutathione include watermelon, spinach, tomatoes, and broccoli.
There are no known side effects from supplement use of the substance. However, interactions do occur with alcohol and acetaminophen. Acetaminophen and alcohol can negate any potential benefits when the supplements are used as a detoxifying agent because acetaminophen and alcohol deplete glutathione from the body. Other unidentified drugs or substances may also interact with glutathione supplements.
Medical researchers have not established safe doses for this supplement. The average dosage of oral supplements ranges from 50 to 600 milligrams per day. When inhaled, the typical dose is 600 milligrams twice a day. A formula using the patient’s height and weight typically determines the dosage of the injected form of the antioxidant glutathione, which averages 600 milligrams per day or every other day.
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