"Glutathione, the most powerful antioxidant": this is how this molecule is often defined, which certainly has antioxidant and detoxification functions. Now, many overly optimistic (or directly sensational) headlines and articles have attributed supposed benefits to glutathione such as improving the function of the immune system, helping to prevent aging, protecting the liver, having a skin whitening effect or even which "could be used in the future as a biomarker to determine life expectancy."
However, the reality is that there is not enough scientific evidence to support these claims. This is what dietician-nutritionist Rita Simorra, from EAP Sarrià, Vallvidrera and Les Planes, reiterates in an interview on RAC1.cat.
Glutathione is a natural antioxidant molecule produced by our body and "found in all organ cells," and especially in the liver, where there is more of it. It is a protein made up of three amino acids: cysteine, glutamic acid and glycine. As Rita Simorra explains, all three are non-essential amino acids, that is, the body is capable of manufacturing them independently of its diet through the normal functioning of our metabolism.
The main function of glutathione is to detoxify the body of xenobiotics. This means that it helps cells eliminate toxic external substances, which can come from pollution, pesticides, drugs, etc. For this reason, it is one of the treatments that are recommended, for example, against aerotoxic syndrome.
These effects have led to the proliferation of glutathione supplements and food supplements, with promises of almost miraculous effects against aging and against various pathologies. Now, the expert makes it clear that "it is currently not proven that glutathione has any health benefits" and that "glutathione supplements do not make any sense" because "there is not enough scientific evidence to recommend them."
The explanation for this is that "our metabolism has a limited capacity to detoxify" and prevent oxidation of cells, even if it has the raw material for it. "Even if you take a lot of glutathione, it doesn't alter the body's chemical reactions," says Rita Simorra. And she insists: "By taking more glutathione, the body will not make more."
"It's like wanting to drink a green detox juice to eliminate alcohol after a binge," gives the nutritionist as an example. Simorra admits that it is true that glutathione prevents oxidative damage to cells, but emphasizes that "the aging of cells is inevitable."
In addition, remember that food supplements do not pass the controls and research phases to which medications undergo, and warn that they may have side effects and "interact with other substances and represent a risk." In this sense, he explains that in the United States they had to withdraw a powdered glutathione supplement due to liver damage.
If you want to ensure an adequate supply of glutathione precursor amino acids, such as glycine, the nutritionist dietician recommends foods of plant origin such as carrots, eggplant, legumes, whole grains and nuts.
This article was originally published on RAC1.
