Common Name: L-Glutathione
Synonyms: Glutathione, gamma-glutamylcysteineglycine, GHS

Overview:

L-Glutathione is a small, water soluble protein that consists of the three amino acids cysteine, glutamic acid and glyceine. It has two forms, reduced glutathione and oxidized glutathione. It is found in all forms of life and is essential for their existence. Nature has built the glutathione matrix to make cysteine more soluble and active in living tissue. L-glutathione is active in many biological functions in the body. These biological activities include: catalysis (catalysis is increase in rate of a chemical reaction by means of a substance, called a catalyst, that is itself not consumed by the overall reaction), metabolism (The chemical processes occurring within a living cell or organism that are necessary for the maintenance of life. ), cell signaling (cell signaling is part of a complex system of communication that governs basic cellular activities and coordinates cell actions. ), cell apoptosis (cell self destruction) and as part of the enzyme, glutathione S-transferase. This enzyme is involved in the detoxification of xenobiotics (a chemical such as a pesticide which is found in an organism, but is not produced there) that include carcinogenic genotoxins. It is also involved in the regeneration of vitamin C from its oxidized form.

L-glutathione is present in the diet in only small amounts, usually about 100mg per day. It is easily synthesized in the body from the amino acids L-cysteine, L-glutamate and glyceine and because of this is not considered an essential nutrient. In fact, research has shown that dietary l-glutathione is broken down during digestion and is not absorbed intact into the blood stream. All the L-glutathione circulating within the body has been synthesized in the liver. Because of the ability of the body to synthesis all the glutathione that it needs, glutathione defiency is seen only is situations where there is a condition that inhibits its production. A condition called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency leads to a decrease in the synthesis of L-glutathione. L-glutathione deficiency always appears as a hemolytic (lyses the red blood cells) anemia. Chronic functional glutathione deficiency manifests itself in other area. It leads to immune disorders, an increased rate of cancer as well as an accelerated rate of disease progression seen in HIV. Overdosing on acetaminophen (Tylenol) leads to a depletion of the glutathione levels in liver cells, leads to liver failure and ultimately death.

Benefits

L-glutathione is the subject of ongoing medical research. This research has been done using animal as well as human subjects. Some of this research shows that:

1. Glutathione in an animal study produced significant regression of liver cancers with an enhanced survival rate in the animals tested. The rats not given glutathione died within 24 months of developing the cancers but 81% of those who received the glutathione were still alive after the 24 month study. The researchers concluded that the anti-cancer potential of glutathione should be investigated as a potential antitumor agent in humans.
2. Glutathione has the capacity to protect against the toxic effects of cisplatin (a chemotherapeutic drug used in the treatment of metastatic ovarian or testicular cancers and advanced bladder cancer). Several studies have confirmed that glutathione is effective in diminishing cisplatin induced nephro and neurotoxicity
3. Preliminary research is indicating that L-glutathione may prevent platelet clumping and other circulatory problems associated with people who suffer from atherosclerosis. It has also shown to help preserve renal function in patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery.
4. An aerosol of L-glutathione is helpful in reducing the oxidant-antioxidant imbalance seen in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis as well as reducing the surface inflammation in patients with cystic fibrosis. Use of this aerosol has been used in HIV patients to help improve glutathione levels that can occur in their lower respiratory tract.
5. L-glutathione has been shown to enhance insulin secretion in the elderly with impaired glucose tolerance.
6. In a double blind placebo study, it was shown that injected glutathione had significant effects on sperm motility and morphology in infertile men.
7. Preliminary in vitro (in the test tube) studies show that glutathione inhibits herpes simplex virus type 1 replication. More studies are needed in this area

Recommended Dosage:

Remember the above studies were not done with oral supplements of glutathione but intramuscular injections or aerosols. L-glutathione is not absorbed into the blood stream from the digestive tract. Instead it is synthesized from L-cysteine, L-glutamate and glyceine. The only cells that may absorb small amounts of L-glutathione are the cells lining the digestive tract.

It has been shown that other oral supplements may help raise blood glutathione levels. These include:

1. The use of whey protein which is high in cysteine can raise the glutathione level in people with cancer, hepatitis and HIV.
2. Vitamin C supplements, whose functions overlap glutathione’s, may help increase glutathione levels.
3. Lipoic acid supplements appear to raise glutathione levels as well
4. N-acetylcholine, glutamione, methionine and SAMe (S-adenosyl methionine) may also help increase glutathione levels.

Glutathione supplements are available in capsules that range from 50-600mg taking per day. Glutathione is also found in combination with other nutrients.

Contra-indications

Beware that studies have shown that excessive use of acetaminophen (Tylenol) can dangerously deplete the levels of glutathione in the body. Glutathione levels are also reduced in cigarette smokers as well as those suffering from cancer, cataracts, diabetics and HIV infection.

People who are sensitive to any component in a glutathione containing product should not use this supplement.

The use of glutathione for the treatment of AIDS associated cachexia (the severe wasting syndrome that accompanies such diseases as cancers , HIV infections and other long term illnesses ) can only be done under medical supervision.

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not use L-glutathione supplements

Glutathione supplements should not be given to children as L-glutathione supplementation has not been studied in children.

Drug interactions

L-glutathione given either by intravenous or intramuscular injection has proven helpful in counteracting the effects of cisplatin (a drug used in chemotherapy).

Web References

1. http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/nmdrugprofiles/nutsupdrugs/glu_0126.shtml
2. http://healthlibrary.epnet.com/GetContent.aspx?token=e0498803-7f62-4563-8d47-5fe33da65dd4&chunkiid=108306
3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glutathione

Printed Reference Material

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