Glutathione
Glutathione is the body's own antioxidant tripeptide (glutamate-cysteine-glycine), studied for oxidative-stress and detoxification support; research protocols typically use 100 mg subcutaneously every other day, within a 100-200 mg range (50-100 units mixed at 200 mg/mL), though no published human study has tested it under the skin.
Best for
It has been studied for systemic oxidative-stress and redox status, hepatic and xenobiotic detoxification pathways, and cosmetic skin-lightening, though high-quality human efficacy evidence for most uses remains limited.
What to expect
Oral supplementation in a randomized trial raised blood and tissue GSH stores measurably by 1 month and progressively through 6 months, while any subjective or cosmetic effects reported in research appear gradually over weeks.
Pairs with
It is commonly studied or co-administered with precursor compounds such as N-acetylcysteine and glycine, and in cosmetic settings with vitamin C, though combination safety data are limited.
Human studies gave it orally (250-1,000 mg/day), intravenously (600-2,500 mg) or intramuscularly (600 mg); no published human study has tested subcutaneous injection. It ships in large vials (600-1,500 mg): mixed at 200 mg/mL, a 100-200 mg dose is 50-100 units, one 100-unit syringe.
- How often
- Every other day
- When
- Morning
- Route
- Subcutaneous
- Vial & water
- 1,500 mg vial in 7.5 mL = 200 mg/mL · 100 mg = 50 units on a U-100 syringe
- Cycle
- Continuous
The same numbers the goodtides app and the Dose Calc use — a research reference, not a prescription. Responses are individual; research protocols start at the low end.
Glutathione (GSH) is a low-molecular-weight tripeptide composed of L-glutamate, L-cysteine, and glycine, distinguished by an unusual gamma peptide bond between the glutamate side-chain carboxyl and cysteine that resists standard peptidases.
Glutathione is not FDA-approved as a drug for systemic indications; oral forms are marketed as dietary supplements (GRAS for food use), while injectable glutathione is a compounded, non-FDA-approved preparation studied as a research compound.
It is synthesized endogenously in nearly all cells in two ATP-dependent steps (glutamate-cysteine ligase, the rate-limiting enzyme, then glutathione synthetase) and is regarded in research as the body's principal intracellular antioxidant. Its reactive cysteine thiol donates reducing equivalents to neutralize reactive oxygen species and serves as the substrate for glutathione peroxidase; in the process GSH is oxidized to glutathione disulfide (GSSG) and regenerated by glutathione reductase using NADPH.
The GSH/GSSG ratio is widely studied as a marker of cellular redox state, and GSH also participates in phase II detoxification via glutathione S-transferases.
- Half-life
- ~< 30 min plasma (reduced form); rapidly turned over
- Peak
- Tissue/erythrocyte GSH stores rise progressively over 1-6 months with oral dosing
- Absorption
- Oral GSH is substantially degraded in the GI tract; sublingual/IV routes studied for higher delivery
- Bioavailability
- Low oral bioavailability; raises body stores measurably only with sustained dosing
References3
- PubChem - Glutathione Compound Summary, CID 124886 (structure, C10H17N3O6S, MW 307.33, redox function)
- Richie JP Jr et al. - Randomized controlled trial of oral glutathione supplementation on body stores of glutathione (Eur J Nutr)
- Davids LM et al. - Intravenous glutathione for skin lightening: inadequate safety data (S Afr Med J)
Log every dose, count every vial, and verify your batches — free in the goodtides app.
This page is educational reference material about compounds studied in research settings. It is not medical advice, and nothing here is a recommendation to buy, possess, or use any compound. Research findings described are from published literature; individual compounds may not be approved for human use. Talk to a licensed clinician about anything that affects your health.