Glutathione is quickly becoming the hottest new antioxidant for skincare rejuvenation and restoration. Glutathione is often referred to as the body’s master antioxidant and can be found in every cell of the human body. The highest concentration of glutathione is in the liver, making it critical in the body’s detoxification process. Glutathione can prevent damage to important cellular components caused by free radical damage and heavy metals.
Glutathione impacts nearly every function in your body. It detoxifies your body’s cells and recycles itself to increase the effectiveness of other antioxidants, such as vitamins C and D. Glutathione is one of the most studied molecules in the world, with over 165,000 studies on PubMed.
Viruses, bacteria, heavy metal toxicity, radiation, certain medications, and even the normal aging process can all cause free-radical damage to healthy cells and deplete glutathione. This can not only lead to cholesterol damage and the progression of atherosclerosis, but it is also correlated with a dysfunctional immune system and increased vulnerability to cancer, auto-immunity, diabetes, infection, and, subsequently, higher mortality.
8 Critical Roles of Glutathione
- Neutralizes several dangerous forms of free radicals that can damage tissue and oxidize cholesterol and other healing fats in the blood.
- Regulates the body’s ability to stop the growth and replication of cancer cells.
- Maintains the function of the mitochondria (the engines found in all our cells) and protects their DNA from damage.
- Plays a role in neutralizing free radicals produced by the liver’s phase I detoxification of chemical toxins.
- Binds to toxic intermediates produced by the liver, making them water soluble and able to be excreted by the kidneys.
- Transports toxic mercury out of cells and the brain to be safely eliminated from the body.
- Serves as a cofactor or helper for several antioxidant enzymes that also neutralize free radicals.
- Regenerates both vitamins C and E (also antioxidants).
How to Increase Glutathione Levels
Your body doesn’t seem to absorb glutathione well from foods. However, certain foods high in amino acids that contain sulfur may help boost your levels. These include:
- Unprocessed meat
- Garlic
- Broccoli
- Asparagus
- Avocados
- Spinach
Taking glutathione by capsules does not appear to be an effective way to get it into your body. It is thought that enzymes in the stomach may break down glutathione. Glutathione can be delivered via IV supplementation, but that is expensive and short-lived. Supplements such as N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and alpha lipoic acid are both capable of helping to regenerate glutathione levels. Fragile ingredients like glutathione have been expensive to get into the bloodstream—until now.
Since the 1800s, supplemental delivery methods have essentially stayed the same—through capsules and powders. Nothing is wrong with this form, just like nothing was wrong with listening to music on a record player. However, now we are seeing breakthrough nanotechnology (breaking large particles down) to increase the bioavailability and effectiveness of supplements.
Reducing active ingredients to nanoparticle sizes can make them exceptionally bioavailable within seconds. They can be delivered via a mouthwash and oral “swishing” for thirty seconds or longer and then swallowing. They can also be delivered via a spray delivery system for use directly on the skin.
Effects of Glutathione Supplementation on Skin
Glutathione plays a significant role in keeping skin healthy and young. It not only acts as an astonishing skin-brightening agent but is also known to reduce wrinkles and fine lines and improve skin elasticity. All these attributes of glutathione are due to its remarkable skin-protecting properties.
If you have dark spots or discoloration on your face that seems difficult to get rid of, this may be hyperpigmentation. Glutathione is the saving grace for the dreaded hyperpigmentation and aging signs.
As a master antioxidant and detoxifier, it fights against external and internal free radicals produced by pollution, sunlight, stress, drinking, and smoking habits. Free radicals deteriorate the overall structure of the skin and lead to concerns like premature aging, inflammation, hyperpigmentation, and destructed skin function. As the levels of toxins become high, your skin needs to detoxify. It is only possible when the levels of antioxidants are adequate in your body.
The primary mechanism by which glutathione effectively reduces dark spots, patches, and uneven skin tone is the inhibition of tyrosinase activity. Tyrosinase is an integral enzyme in melanogenesis (the process by which melanin is produced). Inhibition of this enzyme significantly affects the levels of melanin (the pigment that imparts color to your skin—the higher the levels, the darker the skin). This results in improved skin brightness and tone.
Delivery of glutathione via nanotechnology for skincare can:
- Help reduce pore size
- Lift and firm skin
- Reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Smooth skin texture
- Brighten and even skin tone
- Fight skin aging pollutants
- Improve mild acne
Glutathione will give your skin a radiant glow; defies the aging process; protects skin from sun and environmental damage; lightens skin color, pigmentation, tan, and freckles; and reduces fine lines and wrinkles. It also helps to even out skin tone and make skin smooth, fresh, and bright
while nourishing its overall structure. So why wait? Incorporate glutathione into your skincare routine and give your skin the glow you desire!
Mindy DiPietro is CEO of Stellar Health Sciences and has developed several medical spas. She is now the first practitioner to bring the NES system to Naples and added the Neumi system to increase glutathione levels. Mindy guides you to reestablish trust in your body and helps you to unlock your body’s natural healing abilities. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, Mindy DiPietro began her career as a speech and language pathologist in the Collier County public school system, where she worked closely with her patients to analyze, identify, treat and help prevent communication disorders.