Glutathione is vital for health; is it worth buying as a supplement?

Does glutathione, the so-called ‘mother of all antioxidants,’ which is sold as dissolving strips, capsules, liquids, gels and powders, actually work?

- Katie Wright

If TikTok is to be believed, the fastest way to reduce inflammation, improve immunity, increase energy and have glowing skin is simple: Just place a little orange strip on your tongue and let it dissolve against the roof of your mouth.

These supplements contain a peptide called glutathione, which some biohacking enthusiasts have taken to calling the “mother of all antioxidants.”

Creators also hawk glutathione supplements in capsule, liquid, gel and powder form (to say nothing of skin care serums, patches and injectables that include the chemical). But the gelatinous strips supposedly allow the glutathione to bypass the destructive enzymes in your digestive system and enter your bloodstream directly.

Used under the care of a physician, glutathione therapy can be beneficial in certain cases — in treating acetaminophen overdoses, for example, or HIV symptoms. But experts say there isn’t much evidence to support the many claims made for over-the-counter glutathione supplements. And researchers are exploring whether high doses of glutathione might, in some cases, fuel the growth of cancer cells, said Isaac Harris, an associate professor at the University of Rochester Medical Centre Wilmot Cancer Institute.

Wellness enthusiasts believe the worst thing that could happen if you take glutathione is that it isn’t effective. But, Harris said, “the worst thing is that, actually, it could be harming you.”

What does glutathione do?

Glutathione is a compound made up of three amino acids: glutamate, cysteine and glycine. Produced by the liver and found in almost every human cell, it protects the body from oxidative stress caused by free radicals, said Dr Zhaoping Li, chief of the Division of Clinical Nutrition and a professor of medicine at UCLA Health.