Glutathione
Also known as: GSH · L-glutathione · gamma-glutamylcysteinylglycine
An endogenous tripeptide antioxidant cited in the literature for redox balance and cellular detoxification.
Glutathione at a glance
| Name | Glutathione |
|---|---|
| Also known as | GSH, L-glutathione, gamma-glutamylcysteinylglycine |
| Category | Longevity & cellular energy |
| Type | Amino / injectable |
| Sequence | Gamma-Glu-Cys-Gly |
| Typical dose | Dosing is expressed in milligrams and varies widely by route; parenteral figures are cited in the hundreds of mg per session in some settings |
| Frequency | Varies by route and setting |
| Route | Oral or liposomal supplement; sometimes given intravenously or intramuscularly in clinical settings |
| Half-life | Short in circulation; reported on the order of minutes for the reduced form in plasma. |
Overview
Glutathione is a tripeptide made of glutamate, cysteine, and glycine that is a major intracellular antioxidant and a participant in detoxification pathways. It is available as a supplement and is sometimes administered parenterally in clinical settings; this entry is educational context only.
How it’s thought to work
- Commonly cited as a primary intracellular antioxidant that neutralizes reactive oxygen species.
- Reported to serve as a cofactor for glutathione peroxidase enzymes.
- Associated with phase-II detoxification and conjugation reactions in the literature.
- Described as helping regenerate other antioxidants such as vitamin C.
Researched uses
- Oxidative-stress endpoints in research settings
- Studied in liver and detoxification contexts
- Explored in the literature for skin and dermatologic endpoints
Commonly cited protocol
| Typical dose | Dosing is expressed in milligrams and varies widely by route; parenteral figures are cited in the hundreds of mg per session in some settings |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Varies by route and setting |
| Route | Oral or liposomal supplement; sometimes given intravenously or intramuscularly in clinical settings |
| Notes | When given IV or IM it is dosed in milligrams by a clinician, so consumer insulin-syringe unit math via micrograms does not apply. |
Reconstitution
Oral forms are taken by mouth, and parenteral forms are dosed in milligrams by a clinician, so consumer insulin-syringe unit conversions do not apply.
Cautions
- Oral forms are sold as supplements; injectable use is a clinical procedure that should involve a licensed provider.
- Compounded injectable products have been the subject of safety and sterility concerns.
- Supplement quality and bioavailability vary widely by formulation.
- Presented for educational context only, not as medical advice.
Glutathione FAQ
What is Glutathione?
An endogenous tripeptide antioxidant cited in the literature for redox balance and cellular detoxification.
How does Glutathione work?
Commonly cited as a primary intracellular antioxidant that neutralizes reactive oxygen species. Reported to serve as a cofactor for glutathione peroxidase enzymes. Associated with phase-II detoxification and conjugation reactions in the literature. Described as helping regenerate other antioxidants such as vitamin C.
What is Glutathione used for?
Oxidative-stress endpoints in research settings; Studied in liver and detoxification contexts; Explored in the literature for skin and dermatologic endpoints.
What is a typical Glutathione dose?
Dosing is expressed in milligrams and varies widely by route; parenteral figures are cited in the hundreds of mg per session in some settings, Varies by route and setting, Oral or liposomal supplement; sometimes given intravenously or intramuscularly in clinical settings. This is a commonly cited figure for context only, not medical advice.
How do you reconstitute Glutathione?
Oral forms are taken by mouth, and parenteral forms are dosed in milligrams by a clinician, so consumer insulin-syringe unit conversions do not apply.
What is the half-life of Glutathione?
Short in circulation; reported on the order of minutes for the reduced form in plasma.