The following study reviewed research on the importance of glutathione.

Diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, atherosclerosis, stroke, cancer, and COVID-19 involve inflammation and excessive production of reactive oxygen species that reduce the levels of glutathione.

Glutathione is a tripeptide produced by the body that plays a vital role in limiting excessive oxidative stress that damages cells and tissues (Labarrere CA, Ghassan S Kassab GS, 2022).

Depletion of glutathione may play a central role in inflammatory diseases and COVID-19 pathophysiology, host immune response, and disease severity. Therapies that enhance glutathione could reduce the severity and fatal outcomes of these diseases. This highlights the importance of glutathione in biology and medicine as a key against systemic inflammation and viral infection.

As we get older, the body produces less glutathione, and under certain circumstances we need more to stay healthy. S-Acetyl Glutathione is a form of glutathione that gets into the cells where we need protection. The most common form of glutathione on the market, reduced glutathione, is less effective since a lot of it is oxidized (destroyed) in the stomach.

Reference

Carlos A Labarrere, Ghassan S Kassab. Glutathione: A Samsonian life-sustaining small molecule that protects against oxidative stress, ageing and damaging inflammation. Front Nutr. 2022 Nov 1;9:1007816.

 

Glutathione is your primary defence against ageing.

It’s a very effective antioxidant the body makes to protect itself from free radical damage (oxidative stress). It can help repair cells that are damaged by stress, radiation, pollution, infection, and other illnesses.

As we get older, our cells begin to lose their ability to repair themselves. We make less glutathione, and we actually need more. In certain conditions, younger people may need more glutathione as well.

Glutathione helps your cells function, and supports a healthy immune system. Research shows that glutathione deficiency can lead to increased susceptibility to diseases such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.