Glutathione is superhero of antioxidants in body

Body system	daily "alarm" signal of oxidative stress
Skin	Dullness and sagging, deepening wrinkles and pigmentation, sensitivity and redness, and slow healing of wounds
Energy and brainpower	I'm exhausted from not waking up, my mind can't work, I can't remember things, and I get out of breath as soon as I move
Immunity	Colds keep recurring, minor ailments persist, and allergies worsen
Muscle joint	My whole body aches and my joints are stiff
digestive system	Abdominal distension and discomfort, alternating constipation and diarrhea
Eye	Dryness, fatigue and blurred vision
Overall state	Having been trapped in a sub-health quagmire of "feeling unwell but unable to describe a serious illness" for a long time

Identifying these signals is the first step! Is there a natural substance that can help us resist this "oxidative invasion" and protect our health?

The answer is - glutathione. It is a key substance for "extinguishing fires" in the body and rebuilding the defense system.

What is glutathione?

Glutathione (GSH for short) is a small molecule peptide composed of three amino acids - glutamic acid, cysteine and glycine. It exists in almost all cells in our body, especially with the highest content in the liver.

Glutathione is hailed as the "guardian of cells" and is one of the most powerful antioxidants in the human body.

main functions of glutathione

Antioxidant protection: Glutathione can neutralize harmful free radicals, prevent them from causing damage to cells, and slow down the cell aging process.
Detoxification function: It helps the liver convert harmful substances into harmless compounds, promotes their excretion from the body, and protects liver health.
Boosting immunity: Glutathione supports the operation of the immune system, enabling the body to more effectively resist viral and bacterial infections.
Repairing cell damage: When cells are damaged, glutathione helps repair DNA and other important molecules, maintaining the normal function of cells.

main functions of glutathione

source of glutathione

The human body can synthesize glutathione by itself, but with age, bad living habits (such as smoking and excessive drinking), and environmental pollution, the level of glutathione in the body will decline and its antioxidant capacity will weaken.

The production of glutathione can be supplemented or promoted in the following ways

Dietary supplementation: Foods rich in sulfur such as garlic, Onions, broccoli, kale, spinach, etc., can help promote the synthesis of glutathione in the body.
Intake of precursor substances: Foods rich in cysteine, such as protein-rich meats, fish, and eggs, also contribute to the production of glutathione.
Moderate exercise: Moderate physical activity can enhance the activity of antioxidant enzymes in the body and increase the level of glutathione.
Supplements: Glutathione dietary supplements have become increasingly popular in recent years. Many people hope to directly increase the level of glutathione in the body through supplementation to enhance antioxidant capacity and promote health.

In simple terms, glutathione has three major benefits:

Powerful antioxidant: Glutathione not only directly eliminates free radicals but also activates and regulates the body's antioxidant system, enabling other antioxidants to play a better role.
Excellent detoxifier: In the liver and kidneys, glutathione helps eliminate harmful substances such as residual drugs, pesticides, heavy metals and radiation.
Immunomodulators: When the concentration of glutathione in the body drops below 70% of the normal value, the immune function will be significantly weakened. And sufficient glutathione can significantly enhance the immune response.

Maintaining an adequate level of glutathione is an important safeguard for protecting the body from pollutants and diseases.

Written at end

Glutathione is an indispensable antioxidant and detoxification guardian in the human body, and its importance far exceeds that of a single vitamin.

It is like the core commander of an elite force, not only charging into battle to eliminate free radicals on its own, but also commanding and "reviving" other antioxidants to work in coordination, and shouldering the important mission of detoxification.

Maintaining a good level of glutathione in the body is one of the key strategies for resisting oxidative stress, delaying aging, preventing diseases and maintaining overall health.

Through foods rich in sulfur-containing amino acids and antioxidant nutrients, healthy living habits, and specific supplements (such as NAD+), we can effectively support this "superhero" in exerting its powerful protective effect.

References

Fan C, Chen G, Reiter RJ, Bai Y, Zheng T, Fan L. Glutathione inhibits lung cancer development by reducing interleukin-6 expression and reversing the Warburg effect. Mitochondrion. 2024;79:101953. doi:10.1016/j.mito.2024.101953
Wei Q, Zhao J. Therapeutic effects of reduced glutathione on liver function, fibrosis, and HBV DNA clearance in chronic hepatitis B patients. BMC Gastroenterol. 2025;25(1):68. Published 2025 Feb 7. doi:10.1186/s12876-025-03600-z