Glutathione
The body's most abundant antioxidant, a tripeptide critical for detoxification, immune function, and cellular protection.
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This information is for educational purposes. Peptide therapy should be guided by a licensed healthcare provider. Connect with a Noho clinician
What is Glutathione?
Glutathione is a tripeptide (glutamate-cysteine-glycine) produced naturally in every cell of the body. It is the most abundant intracellular antioxidant and plays critical roles in detoxification, immune function, and protection against oxidative stress. Levels decline with age, stress, and illness. Supplementation is available in oral, liposomal, and IV forms, with multiple RCTs supporting benefits for skin health, diabetes, immune function, and aging.
Why People Talk About It
Antioxidant protection and detoxification
StrongImmune system support
ModerateSkin brightening and evening
ModerateLiver protection and support
ModerateAging and longevity (GlyNAC supplementation)
ModerateHow It Works
Glutathione is your cells' primary defense against damage from toxins and free radicals. It neutralizes harmful molecules, recycles other antioxidants like vitamin C, and helps your liver process and eliminate toxins.
Common Questions
Safety Information
Common Side Effects
Cautions
- • IV glutathione should be administered by healthcare professionals
- • May interact with chemotherapy drugs
- • Quality varies between supplement brands
What We Don't Know
Long-term safety of high-dose IV glutathione is not fully characterized, though the molecule itself is naturally abundant in the body.
Published Research
50 studiesGlutathione levels and activities of glutathione metabolism enzymes in patients with schizophrenia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Glutathione S-transferase M1 and glutathione S-transferase T1 genotype in chronic pancreatitis: a meta-analysis
The association of glutathione S-transferase polymorphisms in patients with osteosarcoma: evidence from a meta-analysis
Common polymorphic deletion of glutathione S-transferase theta predisposes to acquired aplastic anemia: Independent cohort and meta-analysis of 609 patients
Association of glutathione S-transferase M1 and T1 null polymorphisms with the development of cervical lesions: a meta-analysis
Glutathione as a skin-lightening agent and in melasma: a systematic review.
The clinical effect of glutathione on skin color and other related skin conditions: A systematic review.
Sodium benzoate treatment linked to increased glutathione levels and improved positive and negative symptoms, global function, and quality of life in patients with clozapine-resistant schizophrenia: secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial
Effectiveness of oral glutathione in reducing nitric oxide and IL-1α concentrations for clinical improvement in mild to moderate acne vulgaris: a randomized controlled trial
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of N-acetylcysteine as an adjuvant treatment for alcohol use disorder
Glutathione, Vitamin C, and Cysteine Use in Autistic Children With Disruptive Behavior: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Pilot Study
N-acetylcysteine modulates markers of oxidation, inflammation and infection in tuberculosis
Multi-omic analysis and platelet function distinguish treatment responses to hydroxytyrosol in cardiovascular risk
Efficacy and safety of injectable sodium hyaluronate with vitamin C, tranexamic acid, and glutathione for pigmented dark circles
Therapeutic effects of reduced glutathione on liver function, fibrosis, and HBV DNA clearance in chronic hepatitis B patients
Adjunctive N-Acetylcysteine and Lung Function in Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Effects of GSH on Alcohol Metabolism and Hangover Improvement in Humans: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Crossover Clinical Trial
Juçara (Euterpe edulis Martius) improves time-to-exhaustion cycling performance and increased reduced glutathione: a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover, and triple-blind study
N-acetylcysteine does not alter neurometabolite levels in non-treatment seeking adolescents who use alcohol heavily: A preliminary randomized clinical trial
Combined Citrulline and Glutathione Supplementation Improves Endothelial Function and Blood Pressure Reactivity in Postmenopausal Women
The effects of L-Citrulline and Glutathione on Endurance performance in young adult trained males
Effect of long-term oral glutathione supplementation on gut microbiome of type 2 diabetic individuals
Response to Intravenous N-Acetylcysteine Supplementation in Critically Ill Patients with COVID-19
Eight-week supplementation of Aronia berry extract promoted the glutathione defence system against acute aerobic exercise-induced oxidative load immediately and 30 min post-exercise in healthy adults: a double-blind, randomised controlled trial
Enhancing Supplemental Effects of Acute Natural Antioxidant Derived from Yeast Fermentation and Vitamin C on Sports Performance in Triathlon Athletes: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Trial
Early and prolonged glutathione infusion favorably impacts length of hospital stay in ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients: a subanalysis of the GSH2014 Trial
Improved glycemic control either alone, or combined with antioxidant supplementation, fails to restore blood glutathione or markers of oxidative stress in adolescents with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes
Reduction of lead toxicity effects and enhancing the glutathione reservoir in green beans through spraying sulfur and serine and glutamine amino acids
Improvement on blood pressure and skin using roselle drink: A clinical trial
N-Acetylcysteine effects on glutathione and glutamate in schizophrenia: A preliminary MRS study
Dipeptide Extract Modulates the Oxi-Antioxidant Response to Intense Physical Exercise
Glutathione as an oral whitening agent: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
Randomized controlled trial of oral glutathione supplementation on body stores of glutathione.
The effects of the oral supplementation of L-Cystine associated with reduced L-Glutathione-GSH on human skin pigmentation: a randomized, double-blinded, benchmark- and placebo-controlled clinical trial.
Supplementing Glycine and N-Acetylcysteine (GlyNAC) in Older Adults Improves Glutathione Deficiency, Oxidative Stress, Mitochondrial Dysfunction, Inflammation, Physical Function, and Aging Hallmarks: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
The effects of 3 weeks of oral glutathione supplementation on whole body insulin sensitivity in obese males with and without type 2 diabetes: a randomized trial.
Oral Glutathione and Growth in Cystic Fibrosis: A Multicenter, Randomized, Placebo-controlled, Double-blind Trial.
Combination of topical and oral glutathione as a skin-whitening agent: a double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial.
Effects of N-acetylcysteine, oral glutathione (GSH) and a novel sublingual form of GSH on oxidative stress markers: A comparative crossover study.
Oral supplementation with liposomal glutathione elevates body stores of glutathione and markers of immune function.
Effects of Oral Liposomal Glutathione in Altering the Immune Responses Against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the Mycobacterium bovis BCG Strain in Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes.
Randomized, double-blind, pilot evaluation of intravenous glutathione in Parkinson's disease.
Reduced intravenous glutathione in the treatment of early Parkinson's disease.
Glutathione and immune function.
Glutathione as a skin whitening agent: Facts, myths, evidence and controversies.
Glutathione and its antiaging and antimelanogenic effects.
Glutathione supplementation suppresses muscle fatigue induced by prolonged exercise via improved aerobic metabolism.
A clinical trial of glutathione supplementation in autism spectrum disorders.
Impact of Glutathione and Vitamin B-6 in Cirrhosis Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial and Follow-Up Study.
Randomized Clinical Trial of How Long-Term Glutathione Supplementation Offers Protection from Oxidative Damage and Improves HbA1c in Elderly Type 2 Diabetic Patients.
Always consult a qualified clinician
This information is for educational purposes. Peptide therapy should be guided by a licensed healthcare provider. Connect with a Noho clinician
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Quick Facts
- Class
- Tripeptide Antioxidant
- Evidence
- Moderate
- Safety
- Well-Studied
- Updated
- Mar 2026
- Citations
- 50PubMed
Also known as
Tags
Related Goals
Evidence Score
Clinical Trials
View Clinical TrialsLinks to ClinicalTrials.gov for reference. Listing does not imply endorsement.
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