Supplement Increases Glutathione Levels in Blood Cells

Despite the common idea that glutathione can only be administered effectively by intravenous injection, research presented at Experimental Biology 2013 suggests that an oral glutathione dietary supplement can increase glutathione blood levels. The conclusion supports previous animal research.

Penn State researchers placed 54 adults on daily supplementation of Setria glutathione (1000 or 250 mg) or placebo for six months. At the end of the study, glutathione levels increased by 30–35% in the high-dose group, with greater contents in red blood cells, lymphocytes, and blood plasma. The rise in glutathione was dose-dependent.

Function of natural killer (NK) cells also improved with glutathione increases. The high-dose group experienced a more than two-fold improvement in NK function over placebo.

Glutathione is often referred to as the body's master antioxidant. Some contend that glutathione is broken down in the stomach and intestine and as a result is not absorbed. This study indicates otherwise.

Setria glutathione is manufactured by Kyowa Hakko USA (New York City).