Longevity
Glutathione
GSH, L-glutathione, reduced glutathione
Glutathione is a tripeptide of glutamate, cysteine and glycine, and the principal intracellular antioxidant in human cells. It is sold widely as an oral supplement, an intravenous infusion and, in some markets, as a skin-lightening injection.
Also known as: reduced glutathione, L-glutathione, liposomal glutathione
- Status
- Glutathione is a research compound and not approved by the FDA for human use.
- Evidence
- Early human data. Only small or early-phase studies in people so far.
- Half-life
- Rapidly turned over; plasma half-life of intravenous glutathione is under 10 minutes.
- How it's taken
- Oral capsule, liposomal or sublingual formulation, or intravenous infusion
- Mechanism
- Mitochondrial / longevity
How Glutathione works
Glutathione neutralises reactive oxygen species and electrophiles directly, and serves as the cofactor for glutathione peroxidases and glutathione S-transferases, which is how the liver conjugates and eliminates many toxins and drugs. Its skin-lightening use rests on inhibition of tyrosinase and a shift in melanin synthesis from eumelanin toward the lighter pheomelanin.
What research has looked at
- Its physiological role as the dominant intracellular redox buffer is thoroughly established, and depletion is genuinely implicated in paracetamol hepatotoxicity — where N-acetylcysteine works by restoring it.
- Intravenous glutathione has been studied in Parkinson's disease and in chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, with limited and inconclusive results.
- Liposomal and sublingual formulations do appear to raise blood glutathione more reliably than plain oral capsules.
Evidence level: Early human data. Only small or early-phase studies in people so far. These are areas studied or reported, not promised effects.
Reported side effects and risks
- Oral glutathione is largely hydrolysed to its constituent amino acids in the gut, so plain oral supplementation is an inefficient way to raise tissue levels. Supplying cysteine — the rate-limiting precursor — via N-acetylcysteine is the better-supported approach.
- The FDA has warned against injectable glutathione marketed for skin lightening; it is not approved for that use, and compounded injectable products have been associated with serious adverse events including Stevens-Johnson syndrome and thyroid dysfunction.
- Intravenous administration of unregulated compounded product carries infection and contamination risk.
- Evidence for systemic skin lightening from oral glutathione is weak, and the effect is not durable.
- It may reduce the efficacy of chemotherapies that act through oxidative mechanisms.
Sources
- PubMed research on glutathione oral bioavailability skin lightening · NIH · National Library of Medicine
- DrugBank record for glutathione · DrugBank
- Active clinical trials for glutathione · U.S. National Library of Medicine
Track Glutathione in Peptide Vault
Log every dose, set reminders on your own schedule, rotate injection sites and keep your vials organized. Peptide Vault records what you enter. It doesn't recommend compounds or doses. iPhone, on-device.
Related compounds
Glutathione FAQ
What is Glutathione?
Glutathione is a tripeptide of glutamate, cysteine and glycine, and the principal intracellular antioxidant in human cells. It is sold widely as an oral supplement, an intravenous infusion and, in some markets, as a skin-lightening injection.
How does Glutathione work?
Glutathione neutralises reactive oxygen species and electrophiles directly, and serves as the cofactor for glutathione peroxidases and glutathione S-transferases, which is how the liver conjugates and eliminates many toxins and drugs. Its skin-lightening use rests on inhibition of tyrosinase and a shift in melanin synthesis from eumelanin toward the lighter pheomelanin.
Is Glutathione FDA approved?
No. Glutathione is a research compound and not approved by the FDA for human use. Evidence level: early human data. Only small or early-phase studies in people so far.
What is the half-life of Glutathione?
Reported half-life: Rapidly turned over; plasma half-life of intravenous glutathione is under 10 minutes.
How is Glutathione taken?
Oral capsule, liposomal or sublingual formulation, or intravenous infusion.
What side effects have been reported with Glutathione?
Reported in the sources: Oral glutathione is largely hydrolysed to its constituent amino acids in the gut, so plain oral supplementation is an inefficient way to raise tissue levels. Supplying cysteine — the rate-limiting precursor — via N-acetylcysteine is the better-supported approach; The FDA has warned against injectable glutathione marketed for skin lightening; it is not approved for that use, and compounded injectable products have been associated with serious adverse events including Stevens-Johnson syndrome and thyroid dysfunction; Intravenous administration of unregulated compounded product carries infection and contamination risk; Evidence for systemic skin lightening from oral glutathione is weak, and the effect is not durable; It may reduce the efficacy of chemotherapies that act through oxidative mechanisms.
Educational summary compiled from the sources listed above. Not medical advice. Peptide Vault does not sell, source or recommend any compound. Talk to a qualified clinician before starting or changing anything.