031: Why You Should Eat Glutathione

Mastering Nutrition Episode 31

May 7, 2017

Introduction

In episode 31, I explain why glutathione survives digestion and can be absorbed intact, and why supplementing with it or eating it in foods helps support your health.

Show Notes

In this episode, you will find all of the following and more:

0:00:36 Cliff Notes
0:05:15 What is glutathione and why is it important?
0:10:28 Special Masterclass With Masterjohn Pro discount for Mastering Nutrition listeners
0:17:09 Why does glutathione survive digestion?
0:17:49 How is glutathione absorbed intact?
0:32:44 Evidence for intact absorption of glutathione
0:32:59 Oral glutathione increases tissue glutathione in animals when glutathione synthesis is blocked with BSO.
0:35:06 Glutathione crosses CACO-2 monolayers, a model of human intestinal absorption, even when glutathione breakdown is inhibited with acivicin and glutathione synthesis is inhibited with BSO.
0:36:21 Isotopically labeled glutathione fed to mice enriches labeled glutathione in liver and red blood cell with no signs of the label in glutathione digestion products.
0:37:27 Glutathione supplements increase glutathione status in humans.
0:38:00 Caveats and contrary evidence.
0:48:15 What form of supplement (sublingual, liposomal, regular) is best?
0:56:10 What are the best specific supplements?
0:58:10 What dose should you use, and how should you know if you should use it?
0:58:43 Anecdote: 1 gram of glutathione relieves laughing-induced wheezing.
0:59:40 Glutathione in foods: reduced glutathione, total glutathione, glutathione-reactive substances, net glutathione
1:05:18 Glutathione content foods is not the be-all end-all of whether a food boosts glutathione status or whether it’s healthy, but it’s notable and important.

The Glutathione Database

“Consuming Glutathione in Foods and Supplements” can be accessed with the easy-to-remember URL, chrismasterjohnphd.com/consumingglutathione. It contains discussions of the principles fleshed out here in greater detail, supplement recommendations, and a searchable database of glutathione in 285 foods.

Glutathione Supplement Recommendations

Jarrow Reduced Glutathione, taken according to the label directions for boosting glutathione status if you know or suspect yours is poor. Or, taken in 1000 mg doses up to three times a day for occasional immune support or relief from respiratory symptoms.

Core Med Science Optimized Liposomal Glutathione if Jarrow does not provide the desired effects. This is most likely to provide greater benefit if you have a metabolic disorder, an inflammatory condition, or are chronically restricting carbohydrate.