So you may be wondering, with all these products available, how is one supposed to choose only one glutathione supplement? Why are glutathione pills a big deal anyway? Are the glutathione benefits really that impressive?
In the following sections, we explain what glutathione is, why it is beneficial (and whether it has any potential side effects), how to take it correctly, and what you should look out for when shopping.
What is Glutathione?
In short, glutathione is a powerful antioxidant created in cells. It is made up of three amino acids: cysteine, glycine, and glutamine. Although glutathione naturally occurs in the body, its levels can be reduced by numerous factors, including stress, environmental toxins, and poor nutrition. Also, glutathione levels start to decline as we get older.
Even though glutathione is naturally created in the body, it can also be given topically, as an inhalant, or intravenously. Furthermore, some of the best oral glutathione supplements come as a liquid or a pill. In our review, we only mention glutathione supplements in pill or tablet form.
Glutathione Benefits
There are many reasons why someone would want to take a glutathione pill, including:
- reducing oxidative stress
- improving psoriasis
- reducing cell damage caused by fatty liver disease
- improving insulin resistance in older people
- increasing mobility for people with peripheral artery disease
- reducing symptoms of Parkinson’s disease
- reducing the impact of uncontrolled diabetes
- reducing respiratory disease symptoms
- potential anti-aging effects (it’s a good alternative to some of the best anti-aging eye creams on the market)
Many people also use glutathione supplements for improving skin health. Although the scientific evidence is scarce, there are countless personal care products on the market claiming to whiten skin, even out patches and blotchiness, and blur scars.
Although there’s not enough evidence to support these skin whitening claims, glutathione supplements are considered a safer alternative to bleaching creams that may cause mercury poisoning and chemical burns.
Potential Side Effects
Consuming glutathione-increasing foods will not put you at any health risks. However, taking glutathione skin whitening supplements may not be recommended for everyone. Of course, like with any other supplement, you must consult with a healthcare professional before deciding to self-medicate.
We strongly suggest taking your doctor’s advice on the correct dosage for your personal needs. As a warning, some possible side effects of taking glutathione pills include:
- bloating
- abdominal pain
- breathing problems due to bronchial constriction, and
- allergic reactions
When it comes to pregnant women and those breastfeeding, professionals strongly recommend staying away from any form of glutathione supplement (unless it’s under professional supervision).
Important Factors to Consider
If you have read our product reviews in the above section, you may wonder how we decided which products are worth your money and which should be skipped.
Checking the Label
First and foremost, we looked at the supplement facts on the product label to determine the formula’s power. We made sure to include only those products on our top list that deliver a sufficient dose of glutathione. Nevertheless, we decided to include both very potent formulas and the reduced ones (for readers looking for milder pills).
Supplement Purity
Next, we checked out the purity of the supplement. Our main goal was to choose only the supplements that are additive-, filler-, binder-free, and void of any harmful substances.
You will notice the word “liposomal” in some of our reviews above. What are liposomal supplements, and why are they good for you? In brief, liposomal supplements offer higher bioavailability and better absorption when taken orally. Hence, we included glutathione pills that offer liposomal delivery to reap all of the antioxidant benefits.
Price Tag
Furthermore, top glutathione supplements can be costly. Although we featured glutathione supplements for people who don’t mind splurging, you will also find more affordable options, as well as discount information. This way, there’s something for everyone on our list.
User Reviews
Lastly, we went through all of the customer reviews, both good and bad, to determine what the users thought about the products and whether they work. To give you the most accurate information, we decided to test out the pills ourselves.
Recommended Dosage
Unfortunately, direct clinical trials of glutathione are scarce. For instance, a clinical trial of children suffering from cystic fibrosis notes that patients were given reduced oral glutathione of 65 mg per day (divided into 3 doses daily at mealtimes) for 6 months. As for Parkinson’s disease, a clinical study used IV glutathione of 1,400 mg 3 times weekly for 4 weeks.
Nevertheless, we strongly suggest following the original manufacturers’ recommended doses. This information is available on the official website or directly on the packaging of the product itself. Furthermore, make sure to ALWAYS CONSULT with a HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL before attempting to self-medicate with glutathione.