GlutathioneDoes glutathione help people with cystic fibrosis?
Updated 10 Nov 2026
Short answer
It may help a little, together with usual treatment. A 2019 Cochrane review found 2 studies of inhaled glutathione with 258 people. It probably improved FEV1, the air a person can breathe out in 1 second, by 3.5 percentage points of the expected value at 3 months, but not clearly at 6 months.[1] The review said that firm conclusions need larger and longer studies.[1]
A trial included 44 children aged 18 months to 10 years. They took glutathione by mouth, 65 mg per kg of body weight a day in 3 doses at meals, or placebo. After 6 months, glutathione had improved weight, BMI and height more than placebo.[2]
Sources (2)
- Antioxidant supplementation for lung disease in cystic fibrosis. Ciofu O, Smith S, Lykkesfeldt J Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2019. PMID 31580490
- Oral reduced L-glutathione improves growth in pediatric cystic fibrosis patients. Visca A, Bishop CT, Hilton S, Hudson VM J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr, 2015. PMID 25633497
More about glutathione
What is glutathione?Is glutathione absorbed when taken by mouth?Does glutathione work?Do glutathione levels fall with age?Is glutathione safe?Does glutathione lighten skin?For education; not medical advice. Talk to a doctor before you start, stop or change a supplement.