Q: What is glutathione?
A: Glutathione is an antioxidant naturally produced in cells. It is a tripeptide of cysteine, glycine, and glutamate.
Thanks to its melanin-inhibiting properties, reduced glutathione has become a popular oral option to whiten and brighten skin. In recent years, researchers uncovered a similar topical application for glutathione’s oxidized form that’s showing promising results.
Glutathione levels in the body may be reduced by a number of factors, including poor nutrition, environmental toxins, and stress. Its levels also decline with age.
Apart from its skin whitening effects, glutathione’s more well-known benefits are reducing oxidative stress and hence minimizing the damaging effects of free radicals to body cells and reducing cell damage in alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Glutathione can be replenished intravenously (IV drip) or taken as an an oral supplement. Topical application of glutathione is, however, quite a new approach.
Recent studies has also shown that the oxidized form of glutathione used in creams not only brightens the skin, it also increases its moisture content and smoothness while reduces wrinkles.
Dr.Tan
