Glutathione

What is glutathione?

Updated 10 Nov 2026

Short answer

Glutathione is a small molecule made of three amino acids: glutamate, cysteine and glycine.[1] Every cell in the body makes it.[2] It is the most abundant antioxidant that the body makes itself.[3] It helps cells remove harmful substances and protects them from oxidation.[2]

Supplements contain plain glutathione in capsules,[4] liposomal or sublingual glutathione,[5][6] or S-acetyl glutathione.[7] In trials, glutathione was also inhaled, given through the nose or given into a vein.[8][9][10]

Sources (10)

  1. Glutathione metabolism and its implications for health. Wu G, Fang YZ, Yang S, Lupton JR, Turner ND J Nutr, 2004. PMID 14988435
  2. Regulation of glutathione synthesis. Lu SC Mol Aspects Med, 2009. PMID 18601945
  3. Randomized controlled trial of oral glutathione supplementation on body stores of glutathione. Richie JP Jr, Nichenametla S, Neidig W, Calcagnotto A, Haley JS, Schell TD, et al. Eur J Nutr, 2015. PMID 24791752
  4. Glutathione as an oral whitening agent: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Arjinpathana N, Asawanonda P J Dermatolog Treat, 2012. PMID 20524875
  5. Oral supplementation with liposomal glutathione elevates body stores of glutathione and markers of immune function. Sinha R, Sinha I, Calcagnotto A, Trushin N, Haley JS, Schell TD, et al. Eur J Clin Nutr, 2018. PMID 28853742
  6. Glutathione in redox homeostasis: Bridging molecular mechanisms, bioavailability constraints, and translational challenges in systemic therapeutics. Carnib BL, Matos ERSB, Lage TM, Pedro IDR, Ecclissato MCD, Teixeira RL, et al. Biomed Pharmacother, 2026. PMID 42585816
  7. Safety of S-acetyl glutathione as an novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. Turck D, Bohn T, Cámara M, Castenmiller J, De Henauw S, Jos Á, et al. EFSA J, 2026. PMID 42683004
  8. Antioxidant supplementation for lung disease in cystic fibrosis. Ciofu O, Smith S, Lykkesfeldt J Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2019. PMID 31580490
  9. Phase IIb Study of Intranasal Glutathione in Parkinson's Disease. Mischley LK, Lau RC, Shankland EG, Wilbur TK, Padowski JM J Parkinsons Dis, 2017. PMID 28436395
  10. Neuroprotective effect of reduced glutathione on oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy in advanced colorectal cancer: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Cascinu S, Catalano V, Cordella L, Labianca R, Giordani P, Baldelli AM, et al. J Clin Oncol, 2002. PMID 12177109

More about glutathione

Is glutathione absorbed when taken by mouth?Does glutathione work?Do glutathione levels fall with age?Is glutathione safe?Does glutathione lighten skin?Does glutathione help the liver?

For education; not medical advice. Talk to a doctor before you start, stop or change a supplement.