What is it? Glutathione is a dietary supplement used as an antioxidant to help protect the body from many diseases and conditions. It is also used to treat infertility (difficulty getting pregnant), cancer, cataracts, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Glutathione is used to detoxify various chemicals from the body.
Other names for Glutathione include: Gamma-glutamylcysteinylglycine and GSH.
Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you need more information about this medicine or if any information in this leaflet concerns you.
Before Using: Tell your doctor if you are taking medicine or are allergic to any medicine (prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) or dietary supplements. Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine or are breastfeeding,
have other health problems, such as high blood pressure or heart or blood vessel disease
Dosage: Talk with your caregiver about how much Glutathione you should take. The amount depends on the strength of the medicine and the reason you are taking Glutathione. If you are using this medicine without instructions from your caregiver, follow the directions on the medicine bottle. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than the directions tell you to.
To store this medicine: Keep all medicine locked up and away from children. Store medicine away from heat and direct light. Do not store your medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down and not work the way it should work. Throw away medicine that is out of date or that you do not need. Never share your medicine with others.
Warnings: Before taking Glutathione tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
Side Effects: Stop taking your medicine right away and talk to your doctor if you have any of the following side effects. Your medicine may be causing these symptoms which may mean you are allergic to it. Breathing problems or tightness in your throat or chest, Chest pain, Skin: hives, rash, or itchy or swollen skin
Other Possible Side Effects: You may have the following side effects, but this medicine may also cause other side effects. Tell your doctor if you have side effects that you think are caused by this medicine. Zinc deficiency was seen in long term use of a combination product containing glutathione
In plane language: Glutathione: An Essential Health AID
There are three major roles of glutathione in the body: Antioxidant, Immune booster, and Detoxifier. Even cells in the healthiest of individuals constantly need to replenish their glutathione supply.
Glutathione : The Master Antioxidant
Antioxidants participate directly in the destruction of reactive oxygen compounds called free radicals. These by-products of a cells normal function can not be avoided, but exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun or other sources promotes their emergence. Free radicals have been linked to muscle fatigue during exercise and aging.
For this reason, the body is equipped with a variety of antioxidants. Vitamins C and E are natural antioxidants but do not occur naturally in the body. These and other antioxidants actually depend on glutathione to function properly, which is why glutathione is called the Master Antioxidant.
Food for the Immune System
Glutathione helps build your immune systems resistance and improve your chances of staying healthy.
Lymphocytes are cells of your immune system. Glutathione is essential for lymphocytes to increase in number, produce antibodies, and function efficiently.
Glutathione: A Natural Detoxifier (AID)
Our food and water sources are becoming increasingly contaminated with chemicals, as is the air that we breathe. Supplemental detoxifiers such as glutathione help to counter the effects of the toxins we inhale and ingest.
By physically binding to toxic compounds in cells, glutathione helps make them soluble - and harmless. The body can then eliminate these disarmed toxins in the bile and urine.
References:
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2. Cascinu S, Cordella L, Del Ferro E et al: Neuroprotective effect of reduced glutathione on cisplatin-based chemotherapy in advanced gastric cancer: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. J Clin Oncol 1995; 13:26-32.
3. Cascinu S, Labianca R, Alessandroni P et al: Intensive weekly chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer using fluorouracil, cisplatin, epi-doxorubicin, 6S-leucovorin, glutathione and filgrastim: a report from the Italian Group for the Study of Digestive Tract Cancer (GISCAD). J Clin Oncol 1997; 15:3313-3319.
4. Bohm S, Oriana S, Spatti G et al: Dose intensification of platinum compounds with glutathione protection as induction chemotherapy for advanced ovarian carcinoma. Oncology 1999; 57:115-120.
5. Holroyd KJ, Buhl R, Borok Z et al: Correction of glutathione deficiency in the lower respiratory tract of HIV seropositive individuals by glutathione aerosol treatment. Thorax 1993; 48:985-989.
6. Borok Z, Buhl R, Grimes GJ et al: Effect of glutathione on oxidant-antioxidant imbalance in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Lancet 1991; 338:215-216.
7. Testa B, Mesolella M, Testa D et al: Glutathione in the upper respiratory tract. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 1995; 104:117-119.
