Article Summary:
- Glutathione is a ‘difficult-to-absorb’ molecule because of its rapid metabolism and elimination from the body.
- A glutathione nutritional supplement formulation that utilizes innovative nutrient delivery nanotechnology can help overcome glutathione’s absorption challenges and increase its bioavailability.
- Tesseract’s proprietary nutrient delivery technology enhances the absorption of glutathione, enhancing its many health-promoting benefits.
Glutathione — often called the body’s “master antioxidant” — is central for maintaining health. It helps neutralize free radicals, supports detoxification, and shields your cells from oxidative stress. Beyond its antioxidant power, glutathione also plays a key role in cellular function and nutrient metabolism.
There are many factors that can contribute to low endogenous glutathione levels. Some of these factors include poor lifestyle and diet, growing age, and various pathological conditions. Research demonstrates that daily consumption of glutathione nutritional supplements can effectively increase the body’s glutathione levels, strengthen antioxidant defense mechanisms, and promote cellular metabolism.1 *
However, glutathione is a ‘difficult-to-absorb’ molecule. This blog post explains the factors that affect glutathione’s absorption and why it can be beneficial to include an advanced glutathione nutritional supplement in your healthcare plan.
Factors Affecting Glutathione’s Absorption Rate
Circulating glutathione concentrations in the body typically range between 5 to 7micomoles/liter2. However, glutathione’s relative distribution within cells is difficult to determine because oxidized glutathione (GSSH) rapidly recycles back to reduced glutathione (GSH).
Glutathione can be administered through several different routes: oral, sublingual, intravenous, and intranasal. Orally administered glutathione is primarily absorbed in the intestine, while circulating glutathione is cleared by the kidneys, which leads to its poor absorption from the gastrointestinal tract. The bioavailability of glutathione, when taken orally, is below one percent due to enzymatic degradation and poor gastrointestinal absorption3.
Let’s examine the factors that influence the body’s absorption of an oral glutathione supplement.
| Factors Affecting Glutathione Absorption | |
|---|---|
| Rapid Glutathione Metabolism | Research2 indicates that oral glutathione is primarily absorbed in the upper jejunum — the second part of the small intestine. Under the action of the enzyme γ-glutamyltransferase, glutathione undergoes rapid metabolism in the gastrointestinal tract. Further, a significant amount of the enzyme gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) in the GI tract recycles GSH precursors. |
| Excretion of Circulating Glutathione | Circulating glutathione conjugates formed in the liver are excreted intact in bile or converted to water-soluble by-products in the kidneys to be excreted in urine. |
The above challenges to oral glutathione absorption are best addressed with an innovative supplement formulation that enhances the absorption and subsequent bioavailability of glutathione molecules.
A Glutathione Oral Supplement for Enhanced Absorption
Oral glutathione supplementation is well-tolerated and is commonly preferred over other routes. An advanced glutathione supplement can help enhance the absorption of the active nutrient.
SafeCell®, a proprietary formulation developed by Tesseract Medical Research, contains S-Actetyl-Glutathione. Tesseract’s innovative CyLoc® – DexKey® nutrient delivery technology achieves targeted delivery and enhanced absorption of the acetyl glutathione molecules in the gastrointestinal tract.
The CyLoc® technology encloses each glutathione molecule in a dextrin fiber delivery cage to maintain its integrity until it reaches the desired point of delivery in the body. The accompanying DexKey® reactors release the glutathione molecules at the desired release points in the body.
With the unprecedented absorption of acetylated glutathione, SafeCell® overcomes glutathione’s absorption challenges, promotes the optimal function of other antioxidants, decreases oxidative stress, and supports the body’s natural detoxification pathways, resulting in optimal cellular and neurological health functions.*
The power of Tesseract supplements lies in enhancing palatability, maximizing solubility, absorption, and bioavailability, and micro-dosing multiple nutrients in a single, highly effective capsule. Shop products on our website and learn more about how they support your neurological health and well-being.*
References:
1Sinha R, Sinha I, Calcagnotto A, et al. Oral supplementation with liposomal glutathione elevates body stores of glutathione and markers of immune function. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2018;72(1):105-111. doi:10.1038/ejcn.2017.132
2Sotgia S, Fois AG, Paliogiannis P, Carru C, Mangoni AA, Zinellu A. Methodological Fallacies in the Determination of Serum/Plasma Glutathione Limit Its Translational Potential in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Molecules. 2021;26(6):1572. Published 2021 Mar 12. doi:10.3390/molecules26061572
3Gould RL, Pazdro R. Impact of Supplementary Amino Acids, Micronutrients, and Overall Diet on Glutathione Homeostasis. Nutrients. 2019;11(5):1056. Published 2019 May 11. doi:10.3390/nu11051056
