Identification

• Glutathione, or gamma-Glutamylcysteineglycine, is a natural protein produced in the liver by the combination of three amino acids: cysteine, glutamic acid and glyceine.
  
  

Sources

• Glutathione is found in various fruits, vegetables and meats. However, dietary glutathione has a low absorption rate. It can also be extracted for supplemental use as a pure white powder.
  
  

Benefits

• According to Dr. Jeremy Appleton, "Theoretically, there are many very strong arguments in favor of a therapeutic use of glutathione." Diseases that are age-related seem to have the most potential from glutathione because many of these diseases are free radical-related. A study involving women undergoing chemotherapy showed the most promise. Women who received intravenous glutathione in conjunction with chemotherapy reported fewer chemo-related side effects and had higher survival rates.
  
  

Side Effects

• Glutathione is considered safe as a supplement, but people who received an organ transplant or who have a milk protein allergy should avoid supplementation.
  
  

Warning

• Consult your physician before supplementing with glutathione.