From the Guidelines
Glutathione therapy is not recommended for routine use due to insufficient evidence supporting its clinical efficacy in most conditions, and its use should be supervised by healthcare providers as requirements vary based on individual health status and specific conditions being treated. The indications for glutathione therapy are primarily focused on conditions involving oxidative stress and detoxification challenges. It may be considered for use in treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, alcohol-related liver disease, and certain respiratory conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) where it can help reduce inflammation and oxidative damage. Glutathione supplementation is also considered for patients undergoing chemotherapy to potentially reduce side effects, individuals with compromised immune function, and those with metabolic disorders affecting glutathione production. In dermatology, it's sometimes used for skin conditions and controversial skin lightening. Typical administration routes include oral supplementation (250-1000mg daily), intravenous therapy (600-1200mg per session), nebulized form for respiratory conditions (200-600mg daily), and topical applications.
- The evidence for glutathione therapy is largely based on its role as the body's master antioxidant, neutralizing free radicals, supporting immune function, and facilitating detoxification processes 1.
- However, the clinical efficacy of glutathione remains under investigation for many conditions, and treatment should be supervised by healthcare providers as requirements vary based on individual health status and specific conditions being treated 1.
- The ESPEN guidelines on nutrition in cancer patients conclude that there are insufficient consistent clinical data to recommend glutamine supplementation during conventional cytotoxic or targeted therapy, which may also apply to glutathione therapy 1.
- A study on the use of antioxidants in the intensive care unit suggests that high-dose vitamin C can prevent or restore microcirculatory flow impairment, but the evidence for glutathione is less clear 1.
- Overall, while glutathione therapy may have potential benefits in certain conditions, its use should be approached with caution and under the guidance of a healthcare provider due to the limited evidence supporting its clinical efficacy 1.
From the Research
Indications for Glutathione Therapy
The indications for glutathione therapy are varied and include several conditions where oxidative stress plays a significant role. Some of the key areas where glutathione has been considered for therapeutic use include:
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) 2, where glutathione's antioxidant properties may help mitigate oxidative stress and liver damage.
- Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease, where the GSH/GSSG ratio is often reduced, indicating a potential benefit from glutathione supplementation 3.
- Cancer, where altered redox balance and reduced GSH levels are common, suggesting a possible role for glutathione in therapeutic strategies 2.
- Immune function enhancement, as evidenced by studies showing that oral glutathione supplementation can increase natural killer cell cytotoxicity and lymphocyte proliferation 4, 5.
- Skin lightening, although the safety and efficacy of intravenous glutathione for this purpose are not well established, and there are concerns about potential side effects and increased risk of sun-induced skin cancers 6.
Key Findings
Some key findings from the studies on glutathione therapy include:
- Oral supplementation with liposomal glutathione can elevate body stores of glutathione and markers of immune function 4.
- Daily consumption of glutathione supplements can increase body compartment stores of glutathione, with dose and time-dependent effects observed in some studies 5.
- The ratio of reduced GSH to oxidized GSH (GSSG) is an important indicator of cellular health, and measuring this ratio can help assess the efficacy of potential therapeutics in maintaining cellular redox potential 3.