What's the liposomal glutathione?

Liposomal glutathione is a tripeptide composed of the following amino acids: cysteine, glycine, and glutamic acid. It is called the main antioxidant in the body. It has two forms: one is oxidized state, and the other is reduced state. Reduced form (GSH) is an active state that can neutralize free radicals in the body. Liposome glutathione refers to the glutathione that encapsulates glutathione molecules in lipids through a special process. Doing so can protect glutathione and significantly increase absorption. Natural glutathione is mainly produced in our cells. However, small amounts of glutathione can be obtained from foods such as spinach, avocado, and asparagus. Cruciferous vegetables and other sulfur-containing foods can help slightly increase glutathione production. However, high-quality liposomal glutathione supplements are the best way to increase glutathione in the body.

Why do you need to take the liposomal glutathione?

There are many options for supplementing glutathione. These range from IV (intravenous) glutathione to different oral forms of glutathione to transdermal. Some general practitioners use intravenous glutathione, which can increase glutathione levels in a short period of time, but because intravenous injections are not performed every day, it is difficult to keep glutathione levels elevated. Clinical studies using intravenous glutathione showed a good increase in its levels, but when the intravenous treatment was stopped, glutathione dropped back to baseline levels.

Preliminary studies on non-liposomal forms of oral glutathione did not show increased glutathione levels or decreased oxidative stress markers. Glutathione is easily converted from a reduced (active form) to an oxidized form, so it is believed that it does not remain in a reduced form during absorption from the digestive tract. Studies on the transdermal form also did not show an increase in reduced glutathione. On the other hand, many studies have shown that oral liposomal glutathione can increase reduced glutathione in the blood and reduce oxidative stress markers. The most common problem with oral glutathione is whether it is actually absorbed by the cell (intracellular).

What are the benefits of liposomal glutathione?

Glutathione is known as the main antioxidant and is the main mechanism by which the body reduces oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is the result of an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants. Excessive oxidative stress can adversely affect many body mechanisms, including energy production, cognitive function, immune function, inflammation, and detoxification. Glutathione also plays a role in circulating other antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E. Since glutathione contains cysteine, it also plays a role in transporting this amino acid throughout the body to achieve different metabolic functions.

Detoxification of endogenous and environmental toxins is another important function of glutathione in the body. Due to its role in detoxification, there is a large amount of glutathione in the liver. The content of reduced or active glutathione (GSH) in liver cells may be 10 times that of other cells. What is less known is that the lungs also contain large amounts of glutathione. The epithelial cells on the lining of the lung secrete glutathione, which helps gas exchange.

Mitochondria are the producers of cellular energy or ATP in the body. They are very susceptible to damage from free radicals. Glutathione acts as an antioxidant to support mitochondria, including mitochondrial DNA that is highly susceptible to oxidative stress damage. Therefore, glutathione has the effect of maintaining energy production in the body.

One of the other functions of glutathione is to promote healthy natural killer cell function. It also has the role of supporting T cell function. By increasing T cells, it increases the production of cytokines that support the immune system. A recently published study showed that liposomal glutathione has a profound effect on the function of natural killer cells (the front line of the immune system).