Wizard of Vitamins

Glutathione Vitamin

What is Glutathione?

Glutathione is a small protein composed of three amino acids: cysteine, glutamic acid, and glycine.

Glutathione in Diets

Dietary glutathione is found in fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, fish, and meat. Asparagus, avocado, and walnuts are particularly rich dietary sources of glutathione.

Glutathione Medicinal Treatments

Colon cancer

Known Consequences of Glutathione Deficiency

A deficiency can be the result of diseases that increase the need for glutathione, deficiencies of the amino acids needed for synthesis, or diseases that inhibit glutathione formation. Examples of some health conditions that are associated with glutathione deficiency include diabetes, low sperm counts, liver disease, cataracts, and HIV infection, respiratory distress syndrome, cancer, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Cigarette smoking is also associated with low glutathione levels because it increases the rate of utilization of glutathione.

Glutathione Recommended Dosages

There is very little evidence that taking glutathione supplements provides any benefit, despite promising evidence about the effects of aerosol, intravenous, and intramuscular glutathione, for people with a wide variety of conditions. People who have a proven glutathione deficiency, which may require administration of glutathione intravenously, intramuscularly, or by aerosol, should be treated by a healthcare professional. All ovarian cancer patients currently taking cisplatin (Platinol®) should discuss using intravenous glutathione with a healthcare professional.

Glutathione Side Effects

No side effects or interactions are known with oral administration of glutathione. Certain medicines may interact with glutathione. Refer to drug interactions for a list of those medicines.