Can Glutathione help reduce Diabetes?

Why Glutathione might help reduce Diabetes

Glutathione helps reduce type 2 diabetes by controlling inflammation that damages body cells, and triggers insulin resistance. As such, glutathione helps protect healthy cells from damage and reduces the risk of diabetes.

How Glutathione works for Diabetes

Glutathione functions to reduce inflammation in the body by inhibiting 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.

Moreover, glutathione plays an important role in detoxifying the body and getting rid of toxins and chemicals such as arsenic and dioxin. It does this by binding to the toxins and neutralizing their effect.

Glutathione then turns these substances into a water-soluble form such as mercapturic acid that can be flushed out of the body through urine or feces. This regulates beta cell function and insulin mechanisms. As a result, chances of diabetes decrease.

Glutathione Dose for Diabetes: How much to Take

The recommended glutathione dosage that may reduce diabetes 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 Diabetes: 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 Diabetes: 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.