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How To Take Glutathione Effectively: A Complete Guide

July 20, 2022

 
How To Take Glutathione Effectively: A Complete Guide

 

Have you ever heard of glutathione? If not, don’t fear this complex-sounding substance; your body naturally produces it and uses it to support its wellness in various capacities. 

Some people consider glutathione to get antioxidant support and detoxing capabilities.

So, what is the role of glutathione? And what’s the best way to get it into your system – especially if your body already produces this important substance? 

This complete guide from The I.V. Doc will help you understand glutathione and why incorporating it intravenously could be a simple way to add more glutathione to your life.

What Is Glutathione?

Glutathione is an antioxidant that is composed of three basic amino acids or protein building blocks. Known as a tripeptide, glutathione is made of glycine, cysteine, and glutamine.

These three amino acids contain important properties that our body produces separately, but when combined, they form an even stronger compound known as glutathione. 

Found as a naturally occurring substance in our bodies, this antioxidant could help protect the body from harmful chemicals that could speed up the destructive oxidative process in the body. Glutathione could neutralize toxic chemicals that come into your body. 

Why Take Glutathione?

Glutathione could be a fantastic supplement for glutathione synthesis to incorporate into your lifestyle and wellness plan. It’s one of the only antioxidants that your body produces naturally. And yet, as you age, your body naturally decreases the amount of glutathione it produces. 

And aging isn’t the only factor that impacts your body’s ability to produce glutathione. Oxidative stress, pollution, smoking, and medications can negatively impact your body's glutathione count. 

Glutathione could help support immune function and promote feelings of mental clarity.

Vitamins C and E can potentially rely on glutathione to help recycle and reuse them throughout your body's system. Though this tripeptide may seem small – or not a priority since our body naturally produces it – it can be essential to prioritize it since glutathione production can slow as we age (among other factors). 

How to Take Glutathione

There are several ways to introduce glutathione into your system, with some delivery methods more effective than others. Whether you ingest glutathione orally, intramuscularly, or intravenously might depend on whether or not you have a glutathione deficiency and your health and wellness priorities. 

Glutathione Is Produced During Exercise

So, we already know that our bodies produce glutathione naturally. Why take more? As you age, your cells slow glutathione production.

One of the ways that you can potentially boost your body's glutathione production is through exercise. As you exercise, you build muscle and additionally can boost your glutathione levels. A mix of cardio and weight training could help increase your levels.

Get Glutathione Through Diet and Food

Another way to boost your glutathione levels is through dietary supplements. Meat and dairy products and vegetables rich in sulfur generally contain high levels of glutathione. These sulfur-rich foods include onions, garlic, shallots, and leeks. 

Cruciferous vegetables that contain high levels of glutathione include broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage, Brussel sprouts, and arugula. 

Consuming any of these food items on a regular basis could be an effective way not only to ensure that you are getting an adequate level of vegetables in your diet (and the potential health benefits associated with it) but could help boost your glutathione levels while you’re at it.

Glutathione Supplements and Pills

There are several supplemental options to get more glutathione if you are looking for that additional boost. The first option that many people might think of when they hear “supplement” is to take a substance orally or in pill form. 

Oral glutathione supplementation makes sense if you cannot receive intramuscular or intravenous infusions– if you have a sensitivity or cannot receive a shot for a health or personal reason. 

However, taking glutathione orally might not be as effective as another method of ingesting it because, when taken orally, the substance passes through your digestive tract, where digestive enzymes get to work, potentially dissolving your glutathione supplement. No one is sure how much glutathione is able to be absorbed by the body.

When substances move through your GI system, your stomach absorbs the nutrients as your stomach digests. This process is slower and much less direct than an intramuscular or intravenous glutathione supplement. 

Additionally, oral supplements can cause mild stomach discomfort or prove less effective due to inadequate intestinal absorption. 

Intramuscular Injection 

One of the more practical options for taking glutathione, intramuscular injection, is different from intravenous infusions in that it is a supplement injected directly into your muscle. Just as a regular shot is delivered into your body, an intramuscular injection of glutathione can be absorbed by your bloodstream more quickly than if you take it orally.

Our intramuscular injection is quick, highly effective, and provides an alternative to intravenous infusion.

At The I.V. Doc, we have a team of medical professionals who will visit you in the comfort of your home, office, or hotel to deliver your intramuscular (IM) glutathione shot to boost your immunity and skin and overall wellness. The best part about an intramuscular injection is that it is quick and instantaneous – your body may thank you for its immediate boost of nutrients and amino acids to your system.

Intravenous Delivery of Glutathione

One of the most effective ways to supplement your body with more glutathione is through intravenous infusions. Delivered directly to your bloodstream, an intravenous glutathione infusion bypasses your gastrointestinal system – where this substance can be slowly digested and absorbed faster. 

The intravenous delivery of glutathione is so effective because of this direct delivery: your bloodstream uptakes this amino acid-packed substance and begins incorporating it into your body. 

What is The Process of an Intravenous Infusion? 

Whether you are located at home, in a hotel on business, or find yourself at your office struggling to make it through the work day energized, The I.V. Doc will come to you. 

With online booking, a comprehensive selection of wellness treatments, hangover and flu support, and Covid-19 testing, we make it easy for you to feel better as quickly as possible. When you book an appointment with The I.V. Doc, you can expect a team of medical professionals to work with you throughout the entire process discreetly. 

At The I.V. Doc, our Antioxidant Therapy infusion is filled with critical amino acids, vitamin C, and a banana bag – an intravenous cocktail loaded with folate, magnesium sulfate, thiamine, and multivitamin for a 30-minute treatment. 

What Side Effects Should I Look Out for With Glutathione?

As with any supplement, it’s critical to consult your medical team before introducing any major transformations in your diet and lifestyle. There are differences in side effects when taking glutathione orally versus intravenously.

If you take glutathione intravenously, there is always the potential for slight irritation at the injection site; mild swelling, itchiness, or redness is common amongst people who receive intravenous infusions. 

With glutathione, be mindful if you are taking any medication for kidney or liver issues or if you have heart disease or liver disease. Additionally, be sure you are not taking too much glutathione, as it can lead to an upset stomach or diarrhea. 

The Bottom Line

Whether you want the potential benefits of glutathione, you have choices. 

You may want to prioritize the natural production of glutathione in your system through exercise and diet, in addition to supporting your wellness through an IV infusion.

Be sure to book your next intravenous infusion with The I.V. Doc for the medical advice you need regarding glutathione infusion and an experience as professional as it is discrete. Safe, highly effective, and affordable everyday luxury, our wellness infusions are here to help you meet your wellness goals.

Learn about Our Glutathione IV Boost Therapy

Sources:

Protective Effect of Glutathione against Oxidative Stress-induced Cytotoxicity in RAW 264.7 Macrophages through Activating the Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-Related Factor-2/Heme Oxygenase-1 Pathway | PMC

Glutathione | C10H17N3O6S | PubChem

Effects of N-acetylcysteine, oral glutathione (GSH) and a novel sublingual form of GSH on oxidative stress markers: A comparative crossover study | PMC

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