There’s a reason why glutathione is referred to as the “master antioxidant.” Glutathione is an important substance that’s naturally produced in the liver to help protect the body from damage. It’s also great for your overall health.
Unlike most antioxidants, which you might get solely through your food, glutathione is made within our bodies. It plays a super important role in cellular defense against oxidative stress. This is all good and well, but a lot of people wonder when the best time to take glutathione is.
We’ll be answering this question below, so stick around! We’ll also be breaking down what glutathione is, why it’s important, and when to avoid taking it (like if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, for example). Let’s get started!
What is Glutathione?
Glutathione is a molecule that’s made up of three amino acids: glutamine, cysteine, and glycine. Almost every living organism (including plants) has some level of glutathione in its cells. Our bodies naturally produce it, which is rare among antioxidants. It’s mainly manufactured in the liver, which is responsible for detoxifying our bodies.
As we age, however, our natural glutathione levels can decline, which can potentially affect our health. If we don’t get enough glutathione, we might become more vulnerable to oxidative stress (a process where unstable molecules known as free radicals damage our cells).
Over time, oxidative stress can contribute to serious health conditions — like heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and even some types of cancer. This is why a lot of people start taking glutathione supplements as they age. Making sure that your body has enough glutathione is really important!
The Benefits of Taking Glutathione Supplements
Glutathione is important. It shouldn’t be too difficult to incorporate glutathione supplements into your daily routine. Let’s take a closer look at the main benefits of taking glutathione supplements below:
Recycling other antioxidants
Glutathione can help regenerate other antioxidants, like vitamins C and E. It helps these antioxidants fight oxidative stress in the body (which should, in turn, help with the natural slowing of glutathione production).
Helping with DNA production
Glutathione is also quite helpful when it comes to creating DNA. DNA (or deoxyribonucleic acid) is the molecule that carries all of the genetic instructions that are necessary for building and maintaining every part of your body.
Supporting protein synthesis
Glutathione also helps produce proteins that form our muscles and skin. You can make this process even more effective by drinking protein shakes, eating lots of lean proteins, or taking a whey protein supplement.
Detoxifying the body
Glutathione helps to break down and remove toxins, waste, and pollutants from your body. For this reason, if you happen to suffer from fatty liver disease, glutathione supplementation might be an effective treatment.
Improving symptoms of certain health conditions
Glutathione supplements are sometimes recommended to help people manage their autoimmune diseases, respiratory issues, diabetes, and neurodegenerative conditions (like Parkinson’s).
Potential Side Effects of Glutathione Supplements
Although glutathione is naturally produced in our bodies, taking it in supplement form (or taking glutathione injections) can sometimes lead to adverse side effects. This is especially true if you take glutathione in large amounts. Let’s take a closer look at the potential adverse effects below:
Reduced zinc levels
Long-term use of glutathione supplements may decrease zinc levels in your body. This could lead to a zinc deficiency. If you start experiencing symptoms like eye problems, hair loss, wounds that aren’t healing normally, or loss of smell and taste, stop taking the supplements and call your doctor.
Possible asthma triggers
For some people, inhaling glutathione can provoke their asthma symptoms. People with asthma or other respiratory issues should talk to their doctors before inhaling glutathione.
Digestive issues
Taking glutathione orally can occasionally cause bloating or cramps in some people. If you already have sensitive stomach or digestive tract issues, you might want to consider a different method of glutathione supplementation.
Allergic reactions
In rare cases, some people may experience an allergic reaction to glutathione. If you experience symptoms like skin rashes or changes in heart rate, you should stop taking glutathione supplements and call your doctor.
How Long Does it Take to See Results When Taking Glutathione Supplements?
Oral glutathione doesn’t work instantly, so just keep that in mind. To see significant results, you’ll need to use glutathione consistently over several weeks (or even months).
How long it takes to see results will depend on things like the dosage of glutathione you’re taking and your body weight. For example, someone weighing around 150 pounds might need around three months of taking a daily glutathione dose of 2 grams to see noticeable results.
A person weighing 250 pounds could see results in about six weeks. As an aside, some research has shown that taking glutathione might help with weight loss, but when it comes to weight loss, eating a healthy diet and getting enough exercise is also important.
What Are the Best Ways to Take Glutathione?
As we’ve briefly discussed, there are multiple different ways that you can take glutathione. You can always ask a healthcare professional which administration method they’d recommend if you’re not sure. For now, though, here are some of the best ways to take glutathione:
Oral supplements (pills and liquids)
Oral glutathione supplements are popular because they’re widely available and come in several different forms (like capsules, pills, or even glutathione powder). Taking it in this form works well for most people, especially those who are dealing with heart issues or want to improve their skin health.
When picking out a glutathione supplement, you should specifically look for options that are labeled as “liposomal” or “enhanced absorption.” These supplements are designed to be more easily absorbed by the body. Keep in mind, though, that glutathione absorption isn’t always easy. For this reason, some oral supplements may cause stomach discomfort.
IV glutathione therapy
Glutathione is also available as an intravenous (IV) therapy (where it’s delivered directly into your bloodstream). This method bypasses the digestive system, so the glutathione will be fully absorbed. This is a great option for people who need a quick and effective increase in glutathione or have difficulty absorbing supplements.
Glutathione IV therapy may be recommended for people who are dealing with major health concerns or chronic conditions. That said, it’s not suitable for everyone. For example, it may not be the best option if you have a fear of needles. IV glutathione therapy can also be pretty expensive, so you may want to look at other options if you’re on a budget.
Glutathione-rich foods
One of the best ways to support natural glutathione production is by eating a healthy diet. Foods that are high in glutathione (or those that encourage the body to produce it) are easily accessible and healthy. Some of these foods include sulfur-rich vegetables — like broccoli, kale, and watercress — as well as animal-based proteins like fish, poultry, and beef.
When is the Best Time to Take Glutathione?
The best time to take glutathione supplements isn’t fully agreed upon yet (i.e. more research is needed on the topic), but medical professionals will often suggest taking oral glutathione supplements at specific times. Here are some ideal times to take glutathione:
In the morning before breakfast
It’s often recommended to take glutathione first thing in the morning (about 30 minutes before breakfast to help the body absorb it better). You can even mix glutathione powder into a protein shake.
Before bed
You may also want to take glutathione at night before going to bed. This will give it time to work while your body is in a state of rest and repair.
After dinner
If you have digestive sensitivities, you may want to take glutathione supplements a few hours after dinner. Again, if you’re not sure when to take it, you can always ask your doctor for advice.
What to Avoid When Taking Glutathione
There are some things you should avoid when taking glutathione. For example, certain medications may interfere with the effectiveness or safety of glutathione supplementation.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women should generally avoid taking glutathione (unless a healthcare provider says it’s okay). Again, we want to stress the importance of asking your healthcare provider before taking glutathione (or any type of dietary supplement).
Conclusion
As we’ve learned, glutathione is one of the most potent antioxidants available in the body. It helps to protect your cells from the stress caused by free radicals (as well as the everyday stress caused by environmental pollutants).
Glutathione production slows down as we age, though, so some people might want to start taking glutathione supplements. This is generally a great idea because maintaining adequate levels of glutathione is important.
You may also want to do red light therapy treatments along with taking glutathione supplements. Both red light therapy and glutathione are extremely helpful when it comes to maintaining skin elasticity (and skin health in general). If you’d like to learn more, check out our blog — or explore our wide variety of skincare products.
