Glutathione is an amino acid molecule that is often mentioned in conjunction with skincare and anti-aging supplements. This is due to its’ powerful antioxidant capabilities. It acts in this way on a cellular level, and thus can prevent oxidative damage to the DNA and RNA within all cells.

Scientists have also identified a link between the levels of glutathione in our bodies, and the rate at which we age:

• There is a direct correlation with the speed of aging and the reduction of glutathione concentrations in intracellular
• luids. As individuals grow older, glutathione levels drop, and the ability to detoxify free radicals decreases.

Because of this link, the supplement and beauty industry has seized on glutathione as a new wonder ingredient. It has been added to many beauty supplements, as well as antiaging skin creams. The question is - does glutathione work as promised?

Unfortunately, the answer is not too clearly cut. On a cellular level, glutathione is undeniably powerful. This much has been verified by research. The key point is not whether glutathione works, but whether oral glutathione supplements actually increase the levels of glutathione in the body.

Whilst at first glance, that may seem like a silly question - after all, we take vitamin C supplements and our body has more vitamin C to work with. So, why wouldn’t that be the case with glutathione?

Unlike vitamin C, our digestive tract has a lot of the enzyme gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase, which actually breaks down (and hence makes it inactive) glutathione. On the other hand, when we bypass the digestive tract, we can absorb usable amounts of glutathione. This website states:

Preliminary evidence has suggested that absorption of glutathione can occur in the mouth when glutathione tablets are placed between the teeth and the inner cheek.

So, if you’re interested in taking glutathione supplements, you would do well to let them absorb in your mouth in this way, instead of swallowing them.

Another interesting approach to the problem is in fact using other supplements that encourage the body to make more of its’ own glutathione. The same site above also says that:

For example, in one trial, blood glutathione levels rose nearly 50% in healthy people taking 500 mg of vitamin C per day for only two weeks.10 Vitamin C raises glutathione by helping the body manufacture it. In addition to vitamin C, other nutritional compounds that may, according to preliminary research, help increase glutathione levels include alpha lipoic acid,11 glutamine,12 methionine,13 S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe),14 and whey protein. Vitamin B6, riboflavin, and selenium are required in the manufacture of glutathione. The extent to which any of these nutrients effectively increases glutathione levels in humans remains unclear.

Another facet of the glutathione enigma centers around how it is produced commercially. Glutathione is currently made from things like whey protein and garlic, where it occurs naturally. But it is present only in small amounts, so the dosages are quite low when they end up in supplements. This may play a part in the absorption issue. There is a source of glutathione that has been discovered and developed for commercial extraction, so when this supplement becomes available, it will be interesting to see if this can improve the ability of glutathione to survive the gastrointestinal tract’s digestive enzymes.