Glutathione for Fatty Liver: All you Need to Know

Why Glutathione helps reduce Fatty Liver

Glutathione is suggested to help reduce and prevent fatty liver by playing an important role in reducing inflammation in the body, which is one of the main causes behind this disease.

As a result, glutathione helps decrease the accumulation of fat in the liver, thus protecting the liver cells against damage. This reduces the formation of scarring which allows the liver to function normally. Hence, glutathione aids in reducing fatty liver disease.

The pilot study, "Efficacy of glutathione for the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: an open-label, single-arm, multicenter, pilot study", has found that oral administration of glutathione supports hepatic metabolism and improves non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

How Glutathione works for Fatty Liver

Glutathione works to treat and reduce fatty liver by getting rid of toxins and heavy metals from the body, which are the main cause behind inflammation that damages the liver.

Accordingly, glutathione turns these toxic substances into a water-soluble form, known as mercapturic acid, that can be flushed out of the body through urine or feces. This neutralizes the toxin’s effect, thus the liver to function well and reduce the occurrence of hepatic steatosis.

Glutathione Dose for Fatty Liver: How much to Take

For the purpose of enhancing liver’s health, glutathione is given orally either through capsules or powder. Glutathione capsules usually come encapsulated with microscopic liposomes, which are tiny globules surrounded by a lipid bilayer similar to your cell membranes.

This 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. In addition, glutathione powder is either taken with water or mixed with food.

However, 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.

For patients diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) it is more efficient to give glutathione intravenously in high doses. Intravenous therapy 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.

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 Fatty Liver: 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 Fatty Liver: 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.