What To Avoid When Taking Glutathione: Tips for Using Liposomal Glutathione

Using a liposomal Glutathione supplement may be a good addition to a healthy regimen. This naturally produced product is made by your body, but the levels tend to decline with age and ailing health.

Even though Glutathione is naturally occurring in the body, is generally well tolerated, and is safely used by many people, it is still always important to learn the basics of new supplements including what you may want to avoid during its use.

Below, we will review common questions that might come up when starting on a Glutathione supplement, specifically Liposomal Glutathione supplements that you take by mouth. Read on to learn just what Glutathione is, what difference a Liposomal formulation makes, the potential benefits of using Liposomal Glutathione, how you should take your Glutathione supplement, what to avoid when taking a glutathione supplement, as well as some Liposomal Glutathione products that we highly recommend.

 

Also Read: Liquid Magnesium: Benefits, How To Use, and Where to Buy

 

What is Glutathione?

Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant and detoxifying agent that is naturally contained within your cells. The body uses Glutathione for many processes like clearing damaging free radicals and aiding in the detoxification of pollutants, drugs, and metabolic by-products created by the body.

Glutathione may also aid in DNA and protein synthesis, enzyme activation, and support healthy immune system function.

Glutathione is a tripeptide made up of three amino acids: L-Cysteine, L-Glutamate, and L-Glycine.

 

What is Liposomal Glutathione?

Glutathione is known for having low bioavailability when taken by mouth, meaning that if the supplement was taken just on its own, the absorption and amount that gets into your body to work will be limited.

To help overcome this, some Glutathione manufacturers make their Glutathione "Liposomal".

Liposomal means that chemists wrapped the ingredient meant for enhanced delivery (in this case Glutathione) in microscopic spherical lipid vesicles. For some drugs, this liposomal delivery makes it easier for the body to absorb the target drug or supplement and get it into the cells.

One study looked into just how well oral Liposomal Glutathione can get into the cells when delivered this way. The researchers had participants take either 500mg or 1,000mg of glutathione by mouth per day, and then measured the changes in Glutathione levels in their whole blood, red blood cells, blood plasma, and the peripheral blood mononuclear cells. After just one week of Liposomal Glutathione use, measurements showed a 40% Glutathione increase in whole blood, a 25% increase in red blood cells, as well as a 28% increase in the blood plasma. After 2 weeks of Liposomal Glutathione supplementation, there was a 100% Glutathione increase in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Studies like the one above suggest that if you want to supplement with Glutathione, you may be able to get increased cellular absorption by choosing a liposomal formula.

 

What are the potential benefits of using Glutathione?

The potential benefits of using Glutathione may include reduced oxidative stress to help manage or limit the development of conditions known to potentially occur due to high oxidative stress levels like cancers, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Some people with psoriasis may see the condition improve with increased levels of Glutathione.

Patients with fatty liver disease may also see reduced liver cell damage and condition improvements when using Glutathione. For fatty liver disease, the IV formulation of Glutathione is used more commonly.

There may also be some benefits for using Glutathione in people with insulin resistance, peripheral artery disease, Parkinson's disease, autoimmune diseases, autism, uncontrolled diabetes, and respiratory diseases. For respiratory diseases, Glutathione is usually administered vie the inhaled route.

The Glutathione route that you and your doctor choose to use (oral, injection, inhalation) will depend on what conditions you would like to use it for.

 

How should you take Liposomal Glutathione?

You should take your Liposomal Glutathione as indicated on your product packaging, or as directed by your doctor or health care provider.

For a popular Liposomal Glutathione supplement called Tri-Fortify by Researched Nutritionals, it is recommended to squeeze out 1 teaspoon (5mL) of the gel formulation, and to hold it under your tongue for 30-60 seconds before swallowing. It also states that additional doses may be taken, and to use as directed by your health care professional.

 

What to avoid when taking Glutathione?

When you are using Glutathione, you should avoid becoming pregnant or breastfeeding. There is not currently any guidance from the FDA related to Glutathione use when pregnant or breastfeeding. So, it is wise to avoid the use of Glutathione in these situations since we do not have information on if there may be a negative outcome.

There may be a risk of bronchospasm when using inhaled Glutathione. For this reason, Glutathione use may be contraindicated in people with asthma to avoid triggering an asthma attack.

You may also develop lowered levels of Zinc when using Glutathione supplements, as long-term use has been linked with lower Zinc levels.

You will want to avoid the use of alcoholic beverages when you are using Glutathione. Alcohol use has been linked to lowered levels of Glutathione in your liver. You may be counteracting the Glutathione level increase that you are hoping to achieve by using a Glutathione product.

 

What is the best Liposomal Glutathione product?

One of the best Liposomal Glutathione products is Tri-Fortify from Researched Nutritionals. Tri-Fortify Glutathione products use liposomal technology, and the company has even conducted external research on their product to confirm the enhanced bioavailability of their formula.

This product comes in a gel formulation with either an orange or watermelon flavor. It is available as a large 8oz tube with 48 doses, or in a box of 20 individual serving packets. Some people like using the Glutathione tube at home, and taking the individual serving size packets on the go or when traveling.

Researched Nutritionals products are only available through businesses that specialize in professional grade supplements, like certain independent pharmacies. If you are interested in trying Tri-Fortify Liposomal Glutathione, you can place an order through our pharmacy website: Here.

 

Written by: Jill Barat, PharmD