One of the most talked about antioxidant in the beauty circles has also been an intriguing topic to unravel. Here, we demystify this and analyze what has caused the buzz around it. Is it for you? How can you use it? What form is it available in?
What is Glutathione?
Glutathione (also known as GSH) is an antioxidant in plants, animals, fungi, and some bacteria and archaea. Glutathione is use to prevent damage to important cellular components caused by reactive oxygen species such as free radicals, peroxides, lipid peroxides, and heavy metals. No wonder, it has become integral to the skin care industry.
Benefits of Glutathione The uses of Glutathione are many, but some of the common ones are listed below.
- Reduces oxidative stress
- Improve psoriasis
- Reduces cell damage in alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, keeping it healthy
- Improves insulin resistance in older individuals, leading to lesser dosage for diabetes patients
- Helps in mobility for people with peripheral artery disease
- Reduces symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
- It is known to help fight against autoimmune diseases as well
- Skin whitening is one of the primary reasons by glutathione has become popular amongst women. Glutathione is effective for skin lightening but only if it is taken in greater dosage, which should be recommended by a health professional.
How to Take Glutathione?
A variety of natural food is a good resource for the all the antioxidants that your body needs and glutathione is also produced by your body. It is primarily made up of three amino acids: glutamine, glycine and cysteine. But in order to spruce up the intake of glutathione, one can eat sulphur rich foods (vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale, watercress and mustard greens), increase the Vitamin C intake, add selium-rich food to the diet (chicken, fish, organ meats, cottage cheese, brown rice and Brazilian nuts), take supplements, get enough sleep and exercise regularly. Many physicians administer glutathione through IV, but this can be easily replaced with oral soluble films.
What are the Side Effects?
Side effects of administrating glutathione can range from abdominal cramps, bloating, trouble breathing due to bronchial constriction or allergic reactions. It is also linked to lowering of zinc levels over prolonged use. Inhaling glutathione can trigger asthma attacks in people who have asthma, so should be done only with a recommendation of a physician. Symptoms may include wheezing.
Recommended Dosage of Glutathione
The dosage of Glutathione should be recommended by a physician though a supplement in moderation is okay to take. The proper dose for may depend on numerous factors, including age, gender and medical history etc. Healthcare professionals tend to administer glutathione by the use of an IV. When given intravenously, glutathione is typically used to treat conditions like Parkinson’s disease, atherosclerosis, and diabetes or to treat side effects of chemotherapy, hemodialysis treatment, and bypass surgery. But this can be taken in oral form as well, which is much safer and less problematic. For skin whitening, it is advisable to take a dosage of 500-1,000mg on a daily basis. It is also recommends to take Vitamin C (500-1,000mg) ascorbic acid along with it for a sustained effect. This should be ratified with your physician before administrating it. Usage during pregnancy and while breastfeeding, should be ratified with an expert.