Glutathione
Glutathione (GSH) — γ-L-Glutamyl-L-cysteinylglycine
The body's master antioxidant — a tripeptide produced in every cell, responsible for neutralizing oxidative stress, supporting detoxification, and maintaining immune function.
Glutathione is widely sold as a dietary supplement for human consumption in oral, liposomal, and IV-compounded forms. It is not FDA-approved as a drug. This page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use, particularly regarding IV administration.
What it is
Glutathione is a tripeptide made from three amino acids: glutamic acid, cysteine, and glycine. It is the most abundant intracellular antioxidant in the human body and plays a central role in neutralizing reactive oxygen species, supporting Phase II liver detoxification, and maintaining the immune system.
Levels decline with age, chronic illness, poor nutrition, and oxidative stress. The challenge with supplementation is bioavailability — standard oral glutathione is largely broken down in the gut before absorption. This has driven interest in liposomal glutathione (improved absorption via lipid encapsulation), IV glutathione (bypasses gut entirely), and precursor approaches like NAC (N-acetylcysteine), which provides the rate-limiting amino acid for endogenous glutathione synthesis.
What research shows
- IV glutathione raises plasma and cellular levels reliably — the most bioavailable delivery route
- Liposomal oral glutathione shows improved absorption versus standard oral forms in some trials
- NAC supplementation raises intracellular glutathione and has the strongest evidence base of any glutathione strategy
- Glutathione depletion is associated with aging, neurodegenerative disease, and chronic illness
- Antioxidant, detoxification, and immune support effects are well-established in the context of deficiency
What remains unknown
- Whether restoring glutathione in already-healthy individuals produces meaningful clinical benefit
- Optimal delivery route for different goals (systemic vs. liver-specific vs. CNS)
- Long-term effects of chronic high-dose supplementation
- Whether liposomal oral delivery is genuinely superior to standard oral or just better-marketed
Administration basics
Common use cases
Antioxidant support, detoxification, immune function, skin lightening (cosmetic use), recovery from illness, longevity protocols.
Half-life
Short in plasma (~2–3 minutes). Intracellular half-life is much longer.
Administration
IV infusion (most bioavailable), liposomal oral, standard oral (limited absorption), intranasal. NAC is an oral precursor alternative.
Research Protocols & Common Usage
Doses used in research
- IV glutathione research and clinical use commonly ranges from 600–2400mg per infusion
- Liposomal oral glutathione studies have used 250–1000mg/day
- NAC (N-acetylcysteine), a glutathione precursor, is studied at 600–1200mg/day orally
Administration routes studied
Typical protocol duration
IV protocols commonly involve 4–8 infusions for acute use. Oral supplementation is often ongoing.
Common stacking protocols
- Glutathione + Vitamin C — synergistic antioxidant combination; Vitamin C helps recycle oxidized glutathione
- Glutathione + NAC — NAC as a precursor alongside direct supplementation
- Glutathione + Alpha-Lipoic Acid — combined in antioxidant network protocols
Contraindications & combinations to avoid
- Active chemotherapy — glutathione may reduce the efficacy of certain chemotherapy agents; consult an oncologist
- Heavy alcohol consumption — avoid combining with IV glutathione
- Asthma (inhaled glutathione) — inhaled forms may trigger bronchospasm in some patients
Dosing information reflects doses used in published research and commonly reported community protocols only. This is not a personal recommendation. These compounds are not FDA-approved for human use in the contexts described. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any protocol.
Considering stacking?
See the stacking guide for common combinations with Glutathione and what to avoid.
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Community Reviews
Reviews reflect individual user experiences with research compounds and are not medical advice. Results vary. These compounds are not FDA approved for human use. Peptelligent does not verify reported experiences.
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Used for: Skin clarity and anti-aging
I was really impressed with how quickly glutathione worked for me. My darker pigmentation began to fade within the first month and my overall skin clarity is continuing to improve. I have a number of scars/hyperpigmentation on my legs that I thought I would have forever and they’ve already begun to fade as well. I don’t yet have deep wrinkles, but I will continue using this to hopefully see more improvement in my fine lines.
Side effects: None