Supplement analysis backed by scientific evidence · PT · ES · DE · FR

← All supplements
Limited evidenceLongevity & antioxidants

Glutathione (Liposomal)

Oral glutathione can raise body glutathione stores — the old claim that it is entirely destroyed in the gut was overstated — but no trial has linked that increase to a clinical benefit, and cheaper precursors like NAC and glycine do the same job. The skin-whitening claim is not supported by good evidence.

View on iHerb Ships to 180+ countries · welcome discount for new customers

What the science says

  • Raising body glutathione stores Moderate evidence

    A 6-month randomized placebo-controlled trial (Richie et al., 250 or 1,000 mg/day, 54 adults) found dose-dependent increases in glutathione in blood, erythrocytes, plasma and buccal cells — up to 30-35% at the high dose — reversing to baseline within a month of stopping. A separate 4-week trial of liposomal glutathione (500 or 1,000 mg/day) showed increases of 25-40% in blood glutathione stores. So absorption is real; the question is whether it matters.

  • Immune function Limited evidence

    The liposomal glutathione trial reported increases in natural killer cell cytotoxicity (up to ~400% at 1,000 mg/day) and lymphocyte proliferation, but it was small (n=12 completing the immune assays), unblinded in parts, and used ex vivo assays rather than clinical infection endpoints. No trial has shown fewer infections or better clinical immune outcomes.

  • Oxidative stress markers Limited evidence

    Effects on oxidative stress biomarkers have been inconsistent across trials; the Richie trial found a reduction in the oxidized-to-reduced glutathione ratio at 6 months but no change in F2-isoprostanes or other established markers. Biomarker movement without outcome data is the recurring theme here.

  • Skin lightening Limited evidence

    The popular skin-whitening use rests on a handful of small, short, mostly Southeast Asian trials with weak methodology and inconsistent melanin-index outcomes. Intravenous glutathione for skin whitening is explicitly warned against by the Philippine FDA and others after reports of serious adverse events including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, thyroid dysfunction and kidney failure.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseOral trials have used 250-1,000 mg/day of reduced glutathione (liposomal or standard) for 4 weeks to 6 months. Liposomal formulations appear to raise stores at lower doses but have not been head-to-head tested against equivalent-dose standard glutathione. A cheaper and better-evidenced route to raising glutathione is supplying precursors: N-acetylcysteine (600-1,800 mg/day) or the GlyNAC combination (glycine plus NAC).
SafetyOral glutathione is well tolerated; the Richie trial reported no significant adverse events over 6 months, with occasional flatulence and loose stools. Intravenous glutathione, widely sold in cosmetic clinics, is a genuine hazard — regulators in the Philippines, Thailand and elsewhere have issued warnings over severe skin reactions, renal and hepatic injury, and at least one reported death; there is no approved IV indication for skin lightening. People with sulfur sensitivity or asthma should be cautious (bronchospasm has been reported with inhaled glutathione). Theoretical concern with chemotherapy: glutathione is a major mechanism of tumour drug resistance, so do not supplement during platinum-based chemotherapy without oncologist approval.

How to take it

TimingTiming does not matter.
With food?With or without food.
Worth knowingN-acetylcysteine at 600-1,800 mg/day, or NAC plus glycine, raises glutathione more cheaply and with better evidence — and intravenous glutathione from cosmetic clinics should be avoided entirely.

Interactions

With medications

  • platinum-based chemotherapy (cisplatin, carboplatin)

    Glutathione is a major mechanism by which tumour cells resist these drugs. do not use during chemotherapy without oncologist approval

Well-established interactions only — this is not a complete list. Always tell your doctor and pharmacist what you take.

Frequently asked questions

Does oral or liposomal glutathione get absorbed?

Yes, with moderate evidence: a 6-month trial found oral glutathione raised blood glutathione by up to 30-35% at 1,000 mg/day, and a liposomal glutathione trial showed 25-40% increases. No trial has linked that rise to a clinical benefit.

Does glutathione lighten skin?

The evidence is limited: glutathione's skin-lightening use rests on small, short trials with weak methods and inconsistent results. Avoid intravenous glutathione from cosmetic clinics — regulators have warned of severe skin reactions, kidney and liver injury, and at least one death.

Is NAC better than taking glutathione?

N-acetylcysteine at 600-1,800 mg/day, or NAC plus glycine (GlyNAC), is a cheaper and better-evidenced way to raise glutathione than taking glutathione itself. Liposomal glutathione has not been tested head-to-head against standard glutathione.

Can glutathione be taken during chemotherapy?

Do not use glutathione during platinum-based chemotherapy such as cisplatin or carboplatin without oncologist approval, because glutathione is a major way tumour cells resist these drugs. Otherwise oral glutathione is well tolerated, with occasional flatulence and loose stools.

Scientific references

Where to buy

Codeage, Liposomal Glutathione, 60 Vegetable Capsules (250 mg per Capsule)

View on iHerb

Ships to 180+ countries · welcome discount for new customers

Referral link — this site may earn a commission on purchases.

Related in Longevity & antioxidants