Glutathione helps keep immune cells healthy and communication networks intact for a normal immune response. Learn how it works and how to ensure your cells have enough to keep you resilient.
As the master antioxidant, glutathione helps keep immune cells healthy. It also does a lot more specifically to keep your body resilient. Learn what glutathione is, what it does for the immune system, and how to ensure your cells have enough.
What is glutathione?
Glutathione is the most concentrated antioxidant in the cells, produced naturally in your body by combining three amino acids — glutamine, glycine, and cysteine.
Its major roles in the cells are:
- Preventing damage to the cells from oxidative substances released during metabolism
- Neutralizing toxins within cells so they can be filtered out of the body
Because glutathione is so prevalent at the cellular level, it is vital for every process in the body, including those in the:
- Heart
- Lungs
- Brain
- Skin
- Immune system
- Liver
How glutathione supports the immune system
| Immune Function | Role of Glutathione |
|---|---|
| Immune Response | Supports cytokine levels |
| Respiratory Resilience | Supports mast cells |
| T Cells | Helps cells grow and proliferate |
Glutathione supports immune system response
White blood cells release cytokines to communicate with other cells for immune response. For example, cytokines activate B cells to release antibodies. Scientists are aware of more than 100 different cytokines that are either pro- or anti-inflammatory, and sometimes both. The pro-inflammatory cytokines are essential for the immune response. Glutathione supports normal cytokine levels
Glutathione supports immune system's front line of defense
Mast cells line the respiratory system, from the nasal passage through the throat all the way down to the lungs. As primary means of entry to the body, mast cells are under constant attack. They need high levels of glutathione to perform.
Glutathione helps immune system cells grow
Three types of T cells work together to protect your body from invaders. Helper T cells identify targets for the killer T cells to destroy. After the threat is taken care of, suppressor T cells calm down the immune system.
T cells need glutathione to grow and low glutathione can make these immune system cells less effective.
Glutathione protects immune system cells
When T cells grow, they need more energy. More energy production means more free radical production. When the free radical concentration gets too high, DNA is damaged and cells die. Glutathione controls these rising levels of free radicals to prevent T cell death.
Free radicals are parts of immune system response; they help your body heal. However, too many free radicals can overwhelm antioxidants, causing to oxidative stress and damaging cells. As a powerful antioxidant, glutathione prevents immune system cells from experiencing oxidative stress.
How to have enough glutathione for immune system health
WHAT CAUSES LOW GLUTATHIONE?
A high oxidative burden churns through glutathione. This happens because of:
- Smoking
- Alcohol
- Certain medications, particularly those containing acetaminophen
- Obesity
- Environmental contaminants
- Chronic stress
What nutrients make glutathione?
The body produces glutathione naturally, but slows down with age. That makes consuming the right nutrients from foods and supplements all the more important.
In addition to the three amino acids that make up glutathione, several vitamins and minerals are necessary to produce the glutathione that keeps the immune system working as it should.
| Nutrient | Role | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Cysteine | Comprises glutathione | Protein, N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) supplements |
| Glutamine | Comprises glutathione | Protein |
| Glycine | Comprises glutathione | Protein |
| Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | Helps convert glutathione to its active form | Meat, dairy, supplements |
| Vitamin B12 | Helps convert glutathione to its active form | Meat, dairy, supplements |
| Sulfur | Helps with glutathione production | Cruciferous vegetables |
| Omega-3 Fatty Acids | May increase glutathione levels | Salmon, chia seeds, walnuts |
| Selenium | Required to make glutathione | Brazil nuts, eggs, cottage cheese |
| Alpha Lipoic Acid | Supports glutathione production | Red meat, leafy greens, liposomal supplements |
| Vitamin C | Regenerates glutathione | Citrus, broccoli, strawberries, bell peppers, liposomal supplements |
Green tea may help increase glutathione levels as well.1
Several plant foods naturally contain glutathione, including:
- Asparagus
- Avocado
- Cucumber
- Green beans
- Papaya
- Spinach
GLUTATHIONE SUPPLEMENTS
Because glutathione is made of three amino acids, the digestive system dissembles glutathione pills when they arrive in the gut. To reassemble, it takes valuable energy.
Liposomal supplements address this problem by protecting glutathione in a lipid coating from digestive destruction. The lipids can deliver glutathione to the cells intact and ready to support the immune system. Lypo-Spheric® Glutathione uses the patented liposome encapsulation process for supplements, formulated for absorption in the cells.
WHAT WE LEARNED
Glutathione defends against oxidative damage, keeping cells resilient and the immune system operating as it should. It supports:
- Normal cytokine levels for immune system communication
- Mast cells lining the respiratory system
- T cells that neutralize threats
The body produces glutathione naturally in every cell, and certain foods and micronutrients contribute to the process, including:
- Green tea
- Protein
- Vitamins B12 and B2
- Vitamin C
- Selenium
- Sulfur
- Omega-3 fatty acids
Lypo-Spheric® Glutathione is formulated to deliver glutathione to the cells to reinforce natural supplies that can be depleted when oxidative stressors run high.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Does glutathione affect immunity?
Glutathione plays several vital roles in immune system function, including overall immune cell health.
What is the downside of taking glutathione?
Traditional glutathione supplements — like pills — are vulnerable to destruction in the digestive system. Liposomal glutathione supplements are formulated for delivery to the cells, with the lipid coating offering protection through the gut.
REFERENCES
1 Minich, D. M., & Brown, B. I. (2019). A Review of Dietary (Phyto)Nutrients for Glutathione Support. Nutrients, 11(9), 2073. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11092073
