Glutathione for Body Detox: All you Need to Know

Why Glutathione helps Detox the Body

Glutathione helps detox the body by getting rid of toxins and heavy metals and neutralizing their effect. This reduces inflammation in the body and restricts its damage, thus protecting healthy cells and the mitochondria, and preventing possible early death of cells. As a result, our system and organs can continue to function properly.

Furthermore, glutathione aids in strengthening the immune system. This allows immune cells to function normally and fight better against toxic substances, which reduces the risks of diseases uprising due to toxins.

A literature review, “Analysis of glutathione: implication in redox and detoxification”, showed that glutathione plays an important role in detoxifying xenobiotics where its availability in the reduced form may be a key factor in the maintenance of health.

How Glutathione works for Body Detox

Glutathione works to detoxify the body by flushing toxins and chemicals out of our system. These substances can be harmful and cause inflammation, which might lead to the occurrence of diverse diseases.

Accordingly, glutathione binds to these toxic substances and neutralizes their function. It then transforms them from fat-soluble toxins to water-soluble toxins, usually in the form of mercapturic acid, in order to get rid of them through urine or feces.

As a result, cells are protected from inflammation and damage, hence decreasing toxicity complications in the body.

Glutathione Dose for Detox: How much to Take

There's no specific dose of glutathione for detox but the standard dose recommendations of glutathione for body detox are:

• Capsules: in this form of supplement, glutathione is encapsulated with microscopic liposomes, which are tiny globules surrounded by a lipid bilayer similar to your cell membranes. Capsules are 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 glutathione dose is between 50mg/day and 600mg/day or 20-40mg of body weight taken 2-3 times per day. Always start with a smaller dose in sensitive children.
• 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 it does not include liposomes that protect glutathione from metabolic processes during ingestion. The recommended glutathione 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 glutathione 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 should 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 Detox: 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 Detox: 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.