Glutathione

Glutathione (GSH) is a tripeptide composed of glutamate, cysteine, and glycine, found in virtually every cell in the human body. Often called the 'master antioxidant,' glutathione plays an indispensable role in neutralizing reactive oxygen species, detoxifying xenobiotics and heavy metals, regenerating other antioxidants like vitamins C and E, modulating immune function, and maintaining cellular redox homeostasis. Unlike most antioxidant supplements that work through a single mechanism, glutathione operates through an enzymatic system — glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, and glutathione reductase — that provides comprehensive cellular protection. Intracellular glutathione levels decline with age, chronic disease, environmental toxin exposure, and poor nutrition, making it a key biomarker of biological aging and a target for longevity interventions. Research spans decades across thousands of published studies, with clinical investigations into IV glutathione therapy, liposomal glutathione supplementation, and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) as a glutathione precursor strategy.