What Are Risks of Glutathione?

In the age of nutritional supplements, who wouldn't like an end-all to cure all? Glutathione is a small protein that acts as a potent antioxidant that may have the potential to increase immune system activity and repair damage from free radicals, stress and sun exposure. However, this natural substance may have side effects.

Identification

• Glutathione, or gamma-Glutamylcysteineglycine, is a natural protein produced in the liver by the combination of three amino acids: cysteine, glutamic acid and glyceine.

Sources

• Glutathione is found in various fruits, vegetables and meats. However, dietary glutathione has a low absorption rate. It can also be extracted for supplemental use as a pure white powder.

Benefits

• According to Dr. Jeremy Appleton, "Theoretically, there are many very strong arguments in favor of a therapeutic use of glutathione." Diseases that are age-related seem to have the most potential from glutathione because many of these diseases are free radical-related. A study involving women undergoing chemotherapy showed the most promise. Women who received intravenous glutathione in conjunction with chemotherapy reported fewer chemo-related side effects and had higher survival rates.

Side Effects

• Glutathione is considered safe as a supplement, but people who received an organ transplant or who have a milk protein allergy should avoid supplementation.

Warning

• Consult your physician before supplementing with glutathione.