Glutathione for COVID-19: All you Need to Know

Why Glutathione helps reduce COVID-19 Symptoms

Glutathione helps reduce corona virus symptoms because it reduces inflammation in the body. This protects immune cells against damage and forced cell death. Consequently, the immune system is able to fight off infections, viruses, or any foreign invaders. Hence, COVID-19 symptoms decrease.

Furthermore, glutathione aids to strengthen the immune response of the body. This allows the immune cells to function properly, thus decreasing symptoms of corona virus.

The study “Glutathione deficiency in COVID-19 illness-does supplementation help?” in the Saudi Journal of Anaesthesia showed that glutathione supplementation could possibly be helpful alongside other modalities of treatment in COVID-19 patients in early stages before organ damage has set in.

How Glutathione works for Corona

Glutathione works to reduce inflammation in the body by binding to the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) protein and inhibiting its function. Given that this protein’s activity leads to inflammation, this means that glutathione could decrease inflammation formation in the body.

As a result, glutathione aids to decrease the severity of corona virus symptoms and reduce the risk of any possible complications.

Also, glutathione detoxifies toxins and chemicals in the body by binding to these toxic substances. Accordingly, it aids their transformation into mercapturic acid, which is a water-soluble form that can be flushed out of the body through urine or feces.

By doing so, glutathione neutralizes their function and regulates the body’s immune system. Now, immune cells can properly fight against foreign substances, thus reducing the occurrence of any COVID-19 complications.

Glutathione Dose for COVID-19: How much to Take

The general supplementation of glutathione that may manage COVID-19 can be given through multiple forms that include:

• Capsules: glutathione capsules usually come encapsulated with microscopic liposomes, which are 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 mixed with food. It is not highly recommended to take glutathione powder because once mixed or cooked with food, 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 Corona Virus: side effects

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

Glutathione may also have a negative interaction if taken with anti-psychotic or chemotherapeutic drugs. Moreover, 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 Corona Virus: 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.