Glutathione

From Retapedia, the free peptide encyclopedia
Medical disclaimer. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified clinician before considering any compound discussed below. See Retapedia : Medical disclaimer.

Glutathione is a therapeutically researched peptide studied for its effects on skin and hair, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory. Endogenous tripeptide antioxidant (glutamate-cysteine-glycine) supporting liver detox, skin brightening, and anti-aging. Permitted under WADA rules.

Glutathione (GSH) is a tripeptide made of the amino acids glutamate, cysteine, and glycine, and is the body's most abundant intracellular antioxidant. It is found in plants, animals, fungi, and some bacteria and archaea, and prevents damage to important cellular components caused by reactive oxygen species, free radicals, peroxides, lipid peroxides, and heavy metals. Beyond direct radical scavenging, glutathione supports phase-II liver detoxification, regenerates other antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, and maintains cellular redox balance.

Natty status
Glutathione is generally regarded as compatible with natural bodybuilding, though competitive federations may differ. See § Natty status.
Contents [hide]
  1. 1 Overview
  2. 2 Mechanism of action
  3. 3 Reported effects
  4. 4 Dosage and administration
  5. 5 Natty status
  6. 6 Research
  7. 7 Related compounds
  8. 8 References
  9. 9 External links

Overview

Supplemental glutathione — oral (including liposomal), intravenous, intramuscular, or subcutaneous — is used for antioxidant support, liver health, and dermatological skin-brightening protocols, though oral bioavailability of standard formulations is limited.

Glutathione is permitted under World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules as a substance; only high-volume intravenous infusion is restricted as a method, not glutathione itself.

Mechanism of action

The body's master intracellular antioxidant. Scavenges free radicals and supports liver phase-II detoxification. Regenerates vitamins C and E. Used for liver health, skin brightening, and anti-aging.

Reported effects

Effects reported in the literature and from preclinical models include:

  • Glutathione, alongside superoxide dismutase and catalase, modulates mitochondrial reactive-oxygen-species signaling and limits radiation-induced oxidative injury. [3] Preclinical
  • Through the SLC7A11-glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) antioxidant axis, glutathione restrains lipid peroxidation and ferroptotic cell death, while glutathione depletion promotes ferroptotic tissue injury. [2][4][5] Preclinical
  • Plant metabolites that raise intracellular glutathione levels neutralize reactive oxygen species and protect pancreatic beta-cells from apoptosis. [1] Preclinical
  • Red blood cell glutathione buffering limits membrane lipid and protein damage during exercise-induced oxidative stress and restrains hemoglobin auto-oxidation. [7] Preclinical
  • N-acetylcysteine acts as a glutathione precursor, replenishing glutathione stores and regulating intracellular redox homeostasis. [8] Preclinical
  • Thalamic glutathione was selectively reduced in migraine patients versus healthy controls with good diagnostic performance, making it a candidate biomarker of brain antioxidant capacity. [6] Anecdotal

Evidence grades: FDA approvedApproved (non-US)Phase IIIPhase IIPhase IPreclinicalAnecdotal

Dosage and administration

⚠
Dosage information is included for encyclopedic purposes only. Retapedia does not provide medical advice. See Retapedia : Medical disclaimer.

Oral

  • General: 250-500mg daily, taken on an empty stomach (standard oral bioavailability is low)
  • Liposomal: 500-1000mg daily (enhanced absorption versus standard oral)

Intravenous

  • Antioxidant/skin protocols: 600-1200mg, 1-3 times weekly

Intramuscular

  • 200-600mg, 1-3 times weekly

Subcutaneous

  • 100-300mg, several times weekly

Cofactor support

  • pair with vitamin C and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) to aid synthesis and recycling

Natty status

See also: Peptide § Natty status

Glutathione is generally regarded as compatible with the natty designation, particularly when used for therapeutic healing purposes. Opinions vary across natural bodybuilding federations, and athletes who compete should consult the rulebook of their respective sanctioning body.[9]

Research

160 active clinical trials on record — highest phase: Phase 4
View on ClinicalTrials.gov · fetched Aug 4, 2026

The peptide has been the subject of 20 studies and reference works collected on this site. Additional bibliography is in § External links below.

Other peptides in this catalogue with overlapping mechanisms or status:

Thymosin α-1 Natty
Sharpens adaptive immunity by driving T-cell maturation and dendritic cell activity. Approved abroad as Zadaxin for chronic hepatitis B and as a vaccine adjuvant. Subcutaneous injection.
ghk-cu Not natty
Copper-binding tripeptide that supports skin regeneration, collagen synthesis, wound healing, and hair growth, with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Used topically in cosmetics; deeper effects remain investigational.
NAD+ Natty
Boosts cellular energy production and DNA repair. Activates longevity enzymes. Improves metabolism and mitochondrial health. Cellular benefits proven, human longevity unproven.
5-Amino-1MQ Not natty
Oral small-molecule NNMT inhibitor that raises NAD+ and S-adenosyl methionine to boost fat-cell energy expenditure. Studied only in rodents for fat loss; no human trials exist.

References

  1. ^ Bioactive plant metabolites with antihyperglycemic properties: prospects for the prevention and treatment of diabetes mellitus. Recent review
  2. ^ Endothelial ferroptosis in blood-brain barrier dysfunction and neuroinflammation: mechanisms and immune-vascular crosstalk. Recent review
  3. ^ Targeting mitochondria as a potential therapeutic strategy against radioresistance in cancer. Recent review
  4. ^ Ferroptosis, lipid metabolism, and genetic regulation in postoperative rehabilitation of elderly hip fractures: from molecular mechanisms to clinical translation. Recent review
  5. ^ The role of ferroptosis in the pathogenesis and treatment of breast cancer. Recent review
  6. ^ Selective reduction of thalamic glutathione in migraine in the absence of detectable N-acetylaspartate alterations. Recent review
  7. ^ Exercise-induced redox modulation of red blood cell function in health and disease: Mechanistic implications for hemoglobin cycling and microvascular regulation. Recent review
  8. ^ Beyond Antioxidant Activity, Towards Redox Modulation: N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) in Endometriosis and Uterine Leiomyomas. Recent review
  9. a b World Anti-Doping Agency. (2026). Prohibited List 2026.

External links

Categories: Peptides | Therapeutic peptides | Skin and hair | Anti-aging | Anti-inflammatory | Oral

This page was last updated on August 4, 2026, at 00:36 (UTC).

Research last reviewed on August 4, 2026.

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