Glutathione for Arthritis: All you Need to Know

Why Glutathione helps Relieve Arthritis Symptoms

Glutathione helps reduce arthritis pain because it helps lower the level of oxidative stress in the body, which triggers inflammation of the joints and tissues.

Moreover, glutathione plays an important role in regulating the immune system. Accordingly, glutathione aids in regulating the function of the immune system and prevent it from attacking healthy cells, joints, and tissues. This decreases damage to the body’s cells and lessens arthritis symptoms.

A literature review for multiple literature studies about glutathione and its precursor N-acetylcysteine, found that this combination demonstrated significant protective effects in events of prolonged, exacerbated oxidative stress as seen in chronic inflammatory musculoskeletal disorders such as osteoarthritis.

How Glutathione works for Arthritis

Glutathione works to lower oxidative stress levels in the body by binding to toxins and chemicals to aid their transformation into mercapturic acid. As a result, the latter can be dissipated out of the body through urine.

This reduces the DNA damage and inflammation which allows healthy cells to function properly. This aids in the reduction of arthritis symptoms.

Additionally, glutathione regulates the immune cells by directing them to attack outliers instead of healthy cells and tissues of the joints. This protects the body’s cells from faulty immune system attacks and reduces inflammation flare-up, which might diminish the risk of arthritis.

Glutathione Dose for Arthritis: How much to Take

There is no official dosage indication for glutathione for arthritis. However, the standard dose recommendations of glutathione are:

• Capsules: in this supplement, all capsules contain glutathione encapsulated with microscopic liposomes (tiny globules surrounded by a lipid bilayer similar to your cell membranes). It is considered the best oral form since the liposome protects the main drug from metabolic processes and enzymes during its delivery to the targeted area. The recommended daily dose is between 50mg/day and 600mg/day or 20-40mg of body weight, taken 2-3 times per day.
• Intravenous therapy: this is the most effective form of glutathione but is also the most invasive. The recommended dose is between 1,500mg to 4,000mg  once or twice per week. The dose can either be administered in a clinic or at home if the doctor prescribes it.
• Glutathione powder: This form is either taken with water or fortified in foods or cosmetic products. It is not highly recommended to take glutathione powder because once fortified, it loses its function. And, if mixed with water, powder effect will diminish because, unlike capsules, it does not Include liposomes that protect glutathione from metabolic processes during ingestion.
• The recommended daily dose ranges between 50mg/day and 600mg/day or 20-40mg of body weight, taken 2-3 times per day.
• Inhaled nebulizer: the recommended dosage of this form is 600mg daily, but it needs a medical prescription, especially that people with specific conditions like asthma should not use this. The glutathione is used as a liquid form and put in the nebulizer. The instruction of usage will be given by the doctor or health expert.
• Transdermal and lotions: glutathione could be administered through the skin by a patch or lotion.

Important Notice: Dosages should always be consulted with the doctor in order to revise each person’s personal case according to age, weight and medical purpose.

Taking Glutathione for Arthritis: precautions

If you are taking glutathione, you need to avoid drinking alcohol as it could interfere with the absorption of the supplement in the body. Alcohol increases the rate of depletion of glutathione.

Glutathione may have a negative interaction if taken with anti-psychotic or chemotherapeutic drugs. Also, high doses of paracetamol, a drug used to treat fever and pain, could deplete glutathione especially in the liver.

People with certain medical conditions:

People with the following conditions should be careful and always check before taking glutathione:

• Allergies: People who have allergies can possibly have a reaction to glutathione which might lead to a skin rash.
• Asthma: If you have asthma, do not inhale glutathione through a nebulizer as it can increase asthma symptoms including wheezing.
• Other conditions: people should consult their doctor about taking glutathione if they have liver, kidney, or heart problems.

Taking Glutathione for Arthritis: side effects

If you take glutathione, some side effects can take place such as abdominal cramps, bloating, cough or hoarseness, frequent urge to have bowel movement, and straining while passing stool.

In addition, taking glutathione for a long period of time can lower zinc levels.