Can Glutathione help in Cancer?

Why Glutathione might help for Cancer

Glutathione is suggested to help treat and prevent cancer because it protect the cells from DNA mutations and damage. This controls the division of cells and stimulates normal cell performance by allowing natural apoptosis. Subsequently, glutathione aids in preventing cancer occurrence.

Also, glutathione is suggested to manage cancer by reducing inflammation in the body. By doing so, alterations in the DNA sequence diminish, which protects the cells and helps them function properly. As a result, predisposing factors of cancer are reduced.

The clinical trial "The significance of reduced glutathione and glutathione S-transferase during chemoradiotherapy of locally advanced cervical cancer", showed that changes in glutathione concentration in the process of the treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer might be significant to the response to the treatment.

How Glutathione works for Cancer

Glutathione, known as the “Mother of all antioxidants”, removes and detoxifies carcinogens by binding to the toxic substances and neutralizing their function. Accordingly, it transforms them into mercapturic acid in order to flush them out of the body through urine or feces.

This reduces DNA alteration and the metastasis of cancerous cells. As a result, the body’s healthy cells are protected which declines the progression of cancer.

Furthermore, glutathione, as an anti-inflammatory agent, inhibits the angiotensin converting enzyme pathway (ACE), which is a pathway related to the inflammatory process. It also decreases the count of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nuclear factor, which is a factor contributing to multiple biological processes including immune response and inflammation.

This reduces chronic inflammation in the body which allows proper functioning of cells. Thus, cancer progression declines.

Glutathione Dose for Cancer: How much to Take

Glutathione can be taken orally in capsules or powder forms. It is also available in liquid form administered by IV (Intravenous) through the veins or through the muscle.

The capsule supplements come encapsulated with liposomes that help protect the drug. The recommended dosage is between 50mg/day and 600mg/day or 20-40mg of body weight, taken 2-3 times per day.

It is advised to use glutathione capsules instead of powder because they are capsulated with microscopic liposomes that protect the drug from degrading due to digestive enzymes.

Nevertheless, intravenous therapy remain the most effective therapy and it is recommended because it restrains the loss of the substance due to digestive enzymes. This way, glutathione is directly injected into the bloodstream. The dosage used is between 1.5g/m² before chemotherapy.

Glutathione can also be injected through the muscle with a dosage of 600mg/day on days 2-5 of chemotherapy.

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 Cancer: 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 Cancer: 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.