Is Glutathione Toxic?

Glutathione is a protein that is naturally produced by the liver. This protein is made of glutamic acid, cysteine, and glyceine, three naturally occurring amino acids. Glutathione acts as an antioxidant and helps maintain the body's immune system.

Safety Risks

• According to the MSDS sheet at Oxford University's Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, glutathione is listed as a nontoxic, nonhazardous substance. Healthline.com adds that glutathione is safe for most adults. There were no documented side effects as of 2010.

Considerations

• Glutathione occurs naturally in many foods. Dr. Dean Jones from Emory University indicates that most people who eat healthy diets containing regular servings of fruits, vegetables, and fresh meat probably receive enough glutathione in their diet to make a supplement unnecessary. People with poor diets, however, are probably lacking in this essential antioxidant.

Effects

• According to MedicineNet.com writer Alison Palkhivala, glutathione is used to treat many diseases, including age-related illnesses such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, and certain types of cancer. The protein does not absorb well into the body when taken orally, and is usually administered intravenously to fight serious diseases. Healthline.com adds that oral supplements do not appear to increase glutathione levels at the cellular level.