When it comes to antioxidants, glutathione is the king of the jungle. It boosts metabolism, takes stress off the liver, supports the immune system, and protects the body from oxidative stress. It is composed of 3 amino acids, L-glutamine, glycine, and cysteine. Deficiency can lead to serious problems, but the good news is that we can get it through diet. 

First, let’s discuss oxidative stress, or oxidation. Oxidation is why a banana left out turns brown. Cellular damage occurs because of oxidation. It signals inflammation in the body. Where does this oxidation come from? Reactive oxygen species (ROS), otherwise known as free radicals. They can come from external stressors like cigarette smoking, metals in foods, pollutants, excessive exercise, and stress. They can also come from internal mechanisms and are a byproduct of metabolism. How does the body mitigate oxidation? You guessed it, antioxidation. Although there are many antioxidants, glutathione is the most important one. 

At any given point, we have a pool of glutathione to mitigate oxidative stress and these external and internal stressors soak up the pool of glutathione. NSAIDs, such as acetaminophen can severely deplete glutathione levels. Chronically depleted levels of glutathione can cause a whole host of problems such as food sensitivities, autoimmune disorders, some cancers, and even adverse reactions to covid-19.

Unfortunately, using glutathione as a supplement appears to be ineffective. However, giving your body the building blocks that form glutathione can be beneficial. N-Acetyl-Cysteine has been touted as a way to increase glutathione. You can also get these building blocks from our diet. High quality animal meats and eggs are a good source of these building blocks. Also, you can get them from cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli. Milk thistle and vitamin C may also help.