Effects of Oral Glutathione Supplementation on Systemic Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Human Volunteers

Abstract Background: The tripeptide glutathione (GSH) is the most abundant free radical scavenger synthesized endogenously in humans. Increasing mechanistic, clinical, and epidemiological evidence demonstrates that GSH status is significant in acute and chronic diseases. Despite ease of delivery, little controlled clinical research data exist evaluating the effects of oral GSH supplementation. Objectives: The study objectives were to determine the effect of oral GSH supplementation on biomarkers of systemic oxidative stress in human volunteers. Design: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Setting/location: The study was conducted at Bastyr University Research Institute, Kenmore, WA and the Bastyr Center for Natural Health, Seattle, WA. Subjects: Forty (40) adult volunteers without acute or chronic disease participated in this study. Intervention: Oral GSH supplementation (500 mg twice daily) was given to the volunteers for 4 weeks. Outcome measures: Primary outcome measu...