GLUTATHIONE
Your body’s master Antioxidant..
what would happen to you without it ?
I want to highlight a potent natural healing molecule produced in your healthy liver assuming you have a healthy metabolism.
GLUTATHIONE is a powerful essential element for all our health and for some, they have difficulty with both it’s production and its function.
I chose to draw attention to this topic as 2 very important considerations effect your Glutathione capability;
A heathy well functioning liver makes, activates and recycles Glutathione however this is impaired under toxin stress or if your liver is fibrotic or engorged with fat.
Some humans have genetic variants for Glutathione manufacture and function.
Many clients who present to clinic are under Liver stress:
Raised liver enzymes on blood screen
Non alcoholic and Alcoholic fatty liver disease , (NAFLD,NASH) diagnosed by Fibroscan or abdominal scan.
High visceral fat on Body Composition Analysis (BIA)
pre diabetes
and more generally weight gain, fatigue, poor hormonal health, poor sleep, anxiety.
and when we review genetic testing, we discover many have Genetic variants (SNPs) rendering susceptibility to poor Glutathione Metabolism…this is critical clinical insight.
My experience as Liver Transplant Coordinator taught me how varied and often silent liver disease can be.
I coordinated care, worked with patients and families, and provided community education on prevention and early detection. That mix of clinical practice and outreach made two things clear: liver disease can become serious if unrecognized, and much can be done when it’s caught early.
Fatty liver disease is common but not inevitable or untreatable.
Early-stage identification allows lifestyle and medical interventions to stop progression, reverse fat accumulation, and restore liver health—often without surgery. Effective measures include sustained weight loss through a personalised diet, regular movement, tight control of diabetes and cholesterol, limiting alcohol, and addressing other metabolic contributors.
Regular monitoring with blood tests and imaging guides therapy and tracks improvement.
If you or someone you care for has risk factors—overweight/obesity, type 2 diabetes, high triglycerides, or regular alcohol use—seek evaluation sooner rather than later. Early diagnosis enables effective, noninvasive treatment and a strong chance of recovery.
As a clinician who has coordinated care across the liver disease spectrum, I’ve seen patients regain health with clear guidance, support, and timely intervention. Prevention and early action matter.
Genetic variants won’t change and they are what you have been blessed with from Mum and Dad….some good, others challenging.
however they do flag susceptibility and are excellent to guide your preventive lifestyle choices.
GLUTATHIONE is your body’s master antioxidant
Without it:
Free radicals would damage DNA, proteins and cell membranes
cells would age and die much faster
inflammation would spiral out off control
all these are incompatible with long term survival
Without it:
Detoxification would fail, as Glutathione is essential for Phase 2 liver detox, assisting in the removal of Toxins, heavy metals, drugs, alcohol and pollutants
these toxins would accumulate
your liver becomes over whealmed
risk of poisoning, liver injury and systemic illness rises sharply
Without it: Immune system collapses. Immune cells rely on glutathione to function
Low or absent levels of Glutathione lead to :
weakened immune response
frequent of several infections
poor bacterial and viral clearance
Interestingly, an ICU study reported Critically ill patients when tested often have very low glutathione levels.
without it:
Mitiochondria failure and energy crashes as GLUTATHIONE protects your mitochondria
ATP energy production drops
profound fatigue develops
muscle weakness and neurological symptoms appear…think chronic exhaustion at cellular levels
without it:
Brain and Nervous System damage as the brain is extremely sensitive to oxidative stress
Neurons and damaged
risk of seizures cognitive decline mood disorders increase
strong links to neurodegenrative disorders
This is particularly relevant with Homocystine and MTHFR disorders of Methylation
Without it: Life is not SUSTAINABLE
Complete absence of GLUTATHIONE is not compatible with life
genetic disorders that severely impact GLUTATHIONE synthesis are life threatening from infancy
partial depletion dramatically increases disease risk
GLUTATHIONE is not optional
Without it detox fails, immunity weakens, cells break down and life cannot be sustained. Liver health is crucial.
“I think you have got the message by now that Healthy Glutathione levels are essential for Health and require Healthy liver function”
My 3 strongest action points for you :
DNA Nutragenomic testing will give you detailed insights into your genetic predispositions inherited from your parents. This will help you navigate the best choices for your health to resist disease.
Unlocking your genetic blueprint with advanced DNA analysis examines 92 genes and 113 genetic variants to provide personalized insights into your metabolism, detoxification, inflammation, hormones, and cognitive health. A simple at-home cheek swab with results in 3-4 weeks.
Work with a Functional practitioner who is fluent in DNA Nutragenomic testing and can both interpret your results with relevance to you and provide education and guide you forward.
3. Learn HOW TO NATURALLY improve your Liver Health.
“Healthy glutathione levels are best supported by providing the building blocks and reducing depletion”
adequate dietary protein (for cysteine, glycine, and glutamine)
key micronutrients such as selenium and B-vitamins
plant compounds that activate antioxidant pathways (e.g. sulforaphane from cruciferous vegetables).
Regular exercise, good sleep, and minimizing alcohol, smoking, toxin exposure, and chronic stress are equally important to prevent excessive glutathione depletion.
A word on supplements:
Simply reaching for a supplement misses the nuance of support and healthy change. There are Glutathione supplements but most offer poor what we call “bio availability”. Clinically, precursors like N-acetylcysteine (NAC) or well-absorbed forms such as Liposomal glutathione may be used where indicated, however both are very dose dependent. Personal assessment at consultation is recommended.
A couple of my favourite slides from my texts below:
Victoria’s Favourite Chart on Foods for Liver Health
“ Food is more than satisfying hunger, it is powerful medicine that talks to and signals every cell of your body….supporting you, healing you,
or harming you…you choose ”
Scientific References
Wu G, Fang YZ, Yang S, Lupton JR, Turner ND.
Glutathione metabolism and its implications for health.
Journal of Nutrition. 2004;134(3):489–492.McCully KS, et al.
How to Increase Cellular Glutathione.
Nutrients. 2023;15(9):2045.Sinha R, et al.
Oral supplementation with liposomal glutathione elevates body glutathione levels and reduces oxidative stress.
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2018;72:105–111.Richie JP Jr, et al.
Dietary (phyto)nutrients for glutathione support.
Nutrients. 2019;11(9):2078.Bae YS, et al.
Changes in levels of the antioxidant glutathione in brain and blood across the healthy adult lifespan.
Free Radical Biology & Medicine. 2023;201:34–43.Pizzorno J.
The role of glutathione metabolism in chronic illness development and its potential use as a therapeutic target.
Cureus. 2022;14(8):e28099.