Inflammation/Beauty

Glutathione

Endogenous antioxidant supplement that may modestly improve skin tone and oxidative stress markers in some adults.

Glutathione

Endogenous antioxidant supplement that may modestly improve skin tone and oxidative stress markers in some adults.

score

evidence

Caution

risk

Proven Benefits

01Lowers oxidative stress markers

02May brighten skin tone

03May reduce wrinkles

04May improve liver enzymes

Chemical Forms

Recommended

Liposomal glutathione
Reduced glutathione
S-acetyl-L-glutathione

Avoid

Underdosed proprietary glutathione blends (often too little to match trial doses)

Expert Note

Reduced glutathione is the standard oral form used in most human trials. Liposomal and S-acetyl forms may protect glutathione from breakdown and can produce more reliable blood-level increases, while low-dose proprietary blends often fail to match studied amounts.

Protocol

Amount

250-500 mg

Frequency

Once daily

When

Any time of day — consistency matters more than timing; take with food if it causes stomach upset.

Condition-Based Dosing

Adults seeking skin or redox support

250-500 mg daily for 8-12 weeks— Reasonable starting range; increase only if tolerated and needed.

Adults using a liposomal or S-acetyl form

250-500 mg daily— These forms may produce more reliable blood-level increases, so higher doses are not always necessary.

ALT or AST above lab normal range

500-1000 mg daily for 8-12 weeks— Small studies only; recheck liver enzymes before continuing.

Safety & Limits

Upper Safe Limit

No official UL; up to 1000 mg/day oral glutathione has been studied for up to 6 months without major safety signals.

Cycling

Safe for continuous use

Contraindications

Active chemotherapy or radiation — antioxidant supplements may not fit treatment goals; use only with oncology guidance

Pregnancy or breastfeeding — insufficient safety data for routine supplemental use

Synergies

Vitamin C

Vitamin C helps recycle oxidized glutathione back to its active reduced form, supporting total cellular antioxidant capacity.

NAC

NAC supplies cysteine, the rate-limiting amino acid for endogenous glutathione synthesis, complementing direct glutathione intake.

Selenium

Selenium is required for glutathione peroxidase, the enzyme system that uses glutathione to neutralize peroxides.

Avoid Combining With

✕Smoking (raises oxidative burden and can blunt benefits)
✕Heavy alcohol use (depletes liver glutathione)
✕Chronic high-dose acetaminophen use (consumes glutathione stores)

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