Glutathione

Antioxidant Supplement / supply Human trials

Also called GSH, L-Glutathione

A three-amino-acid molecule made in nearly every cell and the body's main internal antioxidant. It neutralizes reactive oxygen species, helps the liver process toxins and drugs, and keeps other antioxidants and proteins in their working state.

Evidence at a glance

Evidence: Human trials — Studied in people
Status: Supplement or supply
Dosing: A dose has been tested in humans

Oral glutathione is largely broken down in digestion; IV use is unregulated and has caused serious reactions.

What studies report

Central antioxidant and detox role is well established inside cells
Skin lightening reported in some trials of oral and IV use
Mixed results for liver and neurological conditions

How it works

The cell's main redox buffer. Its cysteine thiol group donates electrons to neutralise reactive oxygen species, and it serves as the cofactor that glutathione peroxidase and the detoxification enzymes depend on.

Binds a receptor on the cell surface and signals inward

Where it acts

Acts body-wide rather than on one organ

The library groups this compound under Antioxidant. The diagram shows that target, not every tissue it reaches.

Illustrated

A healthy mammalian cell cutaway with mitochondria and cytosol, subtle small abstract particles nearby to evoke oxidative stress research.

AI-generated subject illustration; not a depiction of the compound or evidence of its effects.

Why people take it

Antioxidant supportLiver detoxificationSkin brightening

Reasons people seek it out — not a list of proven effects.

In practice Unapproved use

IV infusions in wellness clinics, often alongside vitamin C
Oral liposomal forms are the common at-home route
Used for skin brightening, particularly in parts of Asia

Reported real-world use, not evidence and not a recommendation.

Dosing

What was tested Evidence

500–1000 mg daily oral liposomal1–6 monthsHuman supplementation trials→ Raised body stores; clinical benefits inconsistent

What people report using Not evidence

IV infusions of 600–2400 mg in wellness clinics

IV glutathione is unstudied at those amounts and has caused serious reactions.

Reported for reference, not as instruction. Nothing here is a recommendation to take anything, and most of these compounds are not approved for human use.

Status: Sold as a supplement. Evidence for benefits from added glutathione is limited.

Route: Oral liposomal, or IV infusion in clinics; also sold as a ready-made intranasal spray
Sequence: γ-Glu-Cys-Gly
Formula: C10H17N3O6S
Molecular weight: 307.33 g/mol
CAS: 70-18-8
Available as: 1500 mg

View on PubChem →

Search PubMed for Glutathione → We link a live search rather than a fixed citation list, so it stays current and nothing here is a reference we have not checked.

Educational information only. Nothing here is medical advice, a dosing protocol, or a recommendation to use any compound. Most entries describe substances not approved for human use. Talk to a licensed clinician before acting on anything you read here. How to read these entries.