Can Glutathione Reduce Fatigue and Boost Energy?

Why Glutathione might help reduce Fatigue and boost Energy

Glutathione helps reduce fatigue and boost energy because it lowers inflammation in the body, which damages the cells and alter energy production. Accordingly, this protects the mitochondria in the cells against reactive oxygen and nitrogen species.

As a result, the mitochondria functions properly and produces enough energy for the body, thus decreasing the symptoms of adrenal fatigue. 

How Glutathione works for Fatigue and Energy

Glutathione works in the body by inhibiting the angiotensin converting enzyme pathway (ACE), which is a pathway that induces inflammation once activated.

Consequently, it decreases oxidative stress by reducing 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 decreases inflammation in the body and allows the cells to function properly and produce energy.

Glutathione also eliminates toxins and chemicals from the body, that cause inflammation and damage the cells, which results in chronic fatigue.

As such, glutathione binds to the toxins and neutralize their function. It then turns the toxic substances into a water-soluble form such as mercapturic acid that can be flushed out of the body through urine or feces. This allows the mitochondria to produce sufficient amounts of ATP, which reduces fatigue and boosts energy.

Glutathione Dose for Fatigue: How much to Take

There is no official glutathione dosage indication to take to reduce adrenal fatigue and boost energy. However, the standard dose recommendations of glutathione 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 Fatigue: precautions

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 Fatigue: 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.