Glutathione Injections

Studies have shown that glutathione plays a critical role in supporting the liver’s ability to detoxify harmful substances in the blood. The liver is responsible for filtering the blood that circulates throughout the body, removing toxins, and metabolizing drugs and other substances.

To do this effectively, the liver relies on a process called conjugation, where toxic substances are chemically modified and rendered less harmful so they can be excreted from the body. 

Glutathione is an important component of this process because it acts as a cofactor for certain enzymes involved in the conjugation of toxins.

In particular, glutathione conjugation is an important pathway for the metabolism of drugs and other foreign substances. When drugs or toxins enter the liver, they are typically converted into metabolites that can be more easily excreted. Glutathione helps to facilitate this process by conjugating with the metabolites and making them more water-soluble, which allows them to be eliminated from the body via urine or feces.

Supplementing with glutathione ensures that your body has adequate levels of this peptide and is able to properly filter toxins out of your body.

Although many online sources claim that glutathione can help with skin health, the actual scientific evidence around these claims is thin. 

Some sources claim that “Glutathione injections reduce hyperpigmentation, sun spots, wrinkles, and acne” yet provide no scientific evidence to support these claims.

In fact, when we do look at the scientific evidence on this subject, these claims become shaky. 

One study published in the Journal of Dermatology Research and Practice sought to uncover the benefits of glutathione for skin whitening. 

Here they found that “​​glutathione is not beneficial enough as a skin-whitening agent as it was only effective in some parts of the body and did not elicit long-lasting effects.”

Another study published in the DPC journal attempted to understand the connection of glutathione as a treatment for hyperpigmentation. 

They concluded that “There is little convincing evidence in favor of glutathione as a therapy for hyperpigmentation at the present time” and that “More evidence in the form of high quality trials with better study design, larger sample size, and long-term follow-up is vital.

However, there is hope for glutathione as a way to generally increase skin health.

A study published in Dovepress found that 60 middle-aged female participants treated with 250mg/d of glutathione experienced marked improvements in general skin health, promoting the possible use of glutathione as an anti-aging and skin-beneficial supplement. 

Overall, the scientific evidence supporting the use of glutathione for skin health is contradictory at best. 

For this reason, please consult with a licensed dermatologist before using glutathione as a skin health treatment. 

Glutathione is an important antioxidant that helps to manage oxidative stress in the body. Oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance between the production of harmful molecules called free radicals and the body’s ability to neutralize them. Free radicals can damage cells, proteins, and DNA, and contribute to a variety of health conditions.

Glutathione helps to manage oxidative stress by neutralizing free radicals and other reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the body. Essentially, it acts like a shield, protecting our cells from the damaging effects of these molecules. By donating electrons to free radicals, glutathione renders them less reactive and less likely to cause damage to our cells.

One study – published in MDPI – sought to uncover the effects of glutathione on oxidative stress. 

The researchers uncovered that glutathione plays a critical role in managing oxidative stress-related DNA damage and helps regulate cellular antioxidant signaling pathways.

In layman’s terms, glutathione helps protect cells from oxidative stress through the promotion of antioxidant activity in the body.

Moreover, glutathione helps to regenerate other important antioxidants in the body, such as vitamin C and vitamin E, which also play a critical role in neutralizing free radicals and protecting our cells from oxidative stress.

Glutathione is a crucial molecule in the immune system that helps regulate and maintain a healthy balance. Glutathione is not just an antioxidant, but it also acts as an endogenous signaling molecule that tells our cells how to behave. 

In the immune system, glutathione plays a critical role in controlling the production and activity of immune cells such as T cells and natural killer cells. Glutathione also modulates the production of cytokines, which are molecules that can cause inflammation and tissue damage.

Low levels of glutathione have been associated with increased susceptibility to infections in several diseases, such as AIDS, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, and influenza infection. 

Glutathione is important in the pathogenesis of viral infections, such as influenza and AIDS, as well as bacterial infections, such as tuberculosis and sepsis. The deficiency of glutathione can lead to increased viral replication, oxidative stress, and diminished immunity.

Supplementing with glutathione can help your body maintain its immune system, helping it activate when needed and keeping it from running wild when it isn’t needed.

Throughout the internet, multiple sources claim that glutathione “helps shift the body from fat production to muscle development” and that glutathione promotes the “burning of fat cells”.

There is absolutely zero scientific evidence to support either of these claims, but this doesn’t mean that glutathione won’t help you in your weight loss journey. 

The main way that glutathione helps with weight loss is through the management of insulin sensitivity. 

When our body is insulin sensitive, it is able to effectively utilize insulin to transport glucose from the bloodstream into our cells, where it can be used for energy or stored for future use. 

On the other hand, insulin resistance occurs when our cells become less responsive to insulin, leading to high blood sugar levels and ultimately contributing to the development of obesity and other metabolic disorders.

One study registered in Clinicaltrials.gov found that oral supplementation of glutathione significantly increased “whole-body insulin sensitivity,” showing that glutathione may be an effective supplement when it comes to regaining insulin sensitivity in those who are diabetic or obese. 

Another study published in the Pakistani Journal of Medicine showed that those suffering from type 2 diabetes had significantly lower levels of glutathione when compared to healthy individuals. 

These two studies draw a clear link between glutathione and insulin sensitivity in those afflicted with obesity and diabetes.

Because of this, supplementing with glutathione may be an effective way to increase insulin sensitivity in the body, thereby decreasing hunger cravings and improving body compostion.

Two clinical trials have been conducted to test the efficacy of IV glutathione for Parkinson’s Disease. 

The first study was open-label, meaning all nine participants knew they were receiving IV glutathione. The participants experienced an improvement in their motor symptoms that lasted for up to four months after discontinuing the treatment. 

The second study was a randomized controlled trial of 20 people with Parkinson’s Disease, with half receiving a placebo and half receiving IV glutathione. This study found that IV glutathione was safe, well-tolerated, and possibly beneficial for symptoms.

However, larger, randomized, placebo-controlled trials are needed to confirm the efficacy of IV glutathione for treating Parkinson’s Disease.