Glutathione Health Benefits

Article Summary:

• Glutathione is known as the body’s master antioxidant because it promotes detoxification, limits oxidative stress, and provides multiple other health benefits.*
• Glutathione’s health benefits are hindered significantly because of its naturally poor bioavailability and absorption. 
• Tesseract Medical Research’s proprietary nutrient delivery nanotechnology results in the optimal bioavailability and absorption of glutathione, helping to realize its beneficial effects. 

Glutathione has been a buzzword for quite some time, particularly in the beauty industry, because of its role in promoting skin health. However, the body’s so-called ‘master antioxidant’ has several other vital health benefits. This superior molecule is present in almost every cell in the body, and in a similar concentration as other important nutrients, such as potassium and glucose. The presence of glutathione in the body  is critical to mitigating oxidative stress by neutralizing and eliminating reactive oxygen species (ROS).*

Glutathione was first discovered in 1888 in extracts from yeast, egg whites, and animal tissue, albeit its specific role and function were not fully understood at that time. With advancements in biochemistry and molecular biology over time, its antioxidant properties have become more well-known to promote healthy aging because they inhibit the production of ROS, a phenomenon closely associated with aging. 

So, how does glutathione support various other body functions? Below, we discuss glutathione’s health benefits, its bioavailability and absorption challenges, and why you should include an advanced glutathione supplement in your healthcare regimen.

Glutathione Health Benefits: An Overview

Reduced glutathione (GSH) is a critical non-enzymatic antioxidant found in mammalian cells.* As a detoxifying agent and a primary antioxidant, glutathione supports the body’s natural innate detoxification pathways.* Although glutathione directly acts against free radicals and pro-oxidants, it also functions as a co-factor for multiple antioxidant and detoxification enzymes, such as the glutathione peroxidases, glutathione S-transferases, and glyoxalases.* 

Glutathione exerts its beneficial effects and protective functions through enzyme (glutathione reductase) reduction, conjugation with and elimination of xenobiotic compounds (heavy metals, toxins, electrophiles, and others), and interaction with other antioxidants (such as vitamin C) to recycle and replenish each other.* The following table highlights several glutathione health benefits that promote health functions. 

Why do you need a glutathione supplement when it is abundantly present and endogenously produced in the body? Primarily, it’s because glutathione levels gradually deplete as we age. In addition, poor diet, an unhealthy lifestyle, and certain adverse health conditions can also negatively affect glutathione levels. Research studies indicate that consuming a glutathione supplement daily can enhance the body’s store of its master antioxidant.* 

Glutathione is well-known for being a difficult-to-absorb molecule that negatively impacts its associated health benefits. The rapid natural absorption of oral glutathione in the gastrointestinal tract and its subsequent poor bioavailability are the two major factors that hinder the efficacy of most glutathione supplements. What is needed is an advanced glutathione formulation that can enhance its bioavailability and subsequent absorption of the body’s master antioxidant. 

Including An Advanced Glutathione Supplement in Your Diet

Advanced glutathione supplementation is characterized by the following attributes:

• Targeted delivery: The delivery of glutathione molecules at the desired point in the intestinal tract enhances the bioavailability and subsequent absorption of glutathione. 

• Optimal absorption: A smart nutrient delivery system in an advanced supplement formulation will enable optimal absorption of the nutrient molecules.

• Micro-dosing: Unprecedented absorption of glutathione makes it possible to take in a lesser amount than previously required to achieve the desired health benefits. 

SafeCell® is an innovative glutathione supplement formulation developed by Tesseract Medical Research that solves glutathione’s bioavailability and absorption challenges. The acetylated glutathione formula utilizes Tesseract’s proprietary CyLoc® – DexKey® nutrient delivery technology to maximize glutathione’s absorption, thus achieving glutathione health benefits.

The CyLoc® technology encases glutathione molecules for safe passage through the stomach. The accompanying Dextrin® reactors release the active glutathione molecules at the desired point in the gastrointestinal tract to achieve their optimal absorption. The unique SafeCell formulation supports natural detoxification pathways, modulates oxidative stress, promotes the optimal functioning of other antioxidants, and supports optimal cellular and neurological function by crossing the blood-brain barrier.* The Tesseract Detoxification Solution helps you maintain optimal good health as you age.*

¹Iskusnykh IY, et al. Glutathione in brain disorders and aging. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 27,1 324. 5 Jan. 2022, doi:10.3390/molecules27010324

²Loguercio C, Di Pierro M. The role of glutathione in the gastrointestinal tract: a review. Italian Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology vol. 31,5 (1999):401-407.

³Wang C, et al. Effects of glutathione on growth, intestinal antioxidant capacity, histology, gene expression, and microbiota of juvenile triploid Oncorhynchus mykiss.” Frontiers in Physiology vol. 12 784852. 29 Nov. 2021, doi:10.3389/fphys.2021.784852

⁴Xiong C, et al. Diet with optimal glutathione supplement improves growth, nonspecific immunity, intestinal microbiota, and antioxidant ability in Micropterus salmoides. J Fish Biol. 2024;104(5):1566-1578. 

⁵Gaike AH, et al. Effect of long-term oral glutathione supplementation on gut microbiome of type 2 diabetic individuals. FEMS Microbiol Lett. 2023;370:fnad116.

⁶Dröge W, Breitkreutz R. Glutathione and immune function. The Proceedings of the Nutrition Society vol. 59,4 (2000):595-600. doi:10.1017/s0029665100000847