Today, glutathione benefits for skin is probably the most commercially-marketed skin whitening and beauty agent in the Philippines. However, due to its popularity, many myths about glutathione have risen as well.

Glutathione is one of the most essential ingredients of Reijin Glutathione. So in this article, we discuss what glutathione is, what are its benefits, and some tips to help boost your glutathione levels.

We also debunk some of the most common myths surrounding it.

What is Glutathione?

Produced by the liver, glutathione is a naturally-occurring molecule in the body that is made up of three amino acids, specifically cysteine, glycine, and glutamate. It is a powerful antioxidant found in every cell in the body.

Glutathione has many important functions in the body. It helps make DNA (the building blocks of cells and proteins), supports immune function, helps certain enzymes function, breaks down some free radicals, helps the liver and gallbladder deal with fats, protects against oxidative stress, and it also assists with regular cell death.

Glutathione Benefits for Skin

Glutathione is a powerful, naturally-occurring antioxidant found in our cells that boosts the immune system, detoxifies the body, and neutralizes free radicals. As mentioned above, it offers numerous health benefits – but did you know that it offers many skin benefits as well?

Glutathione lightens your skin in two ways. First, it lowers the melanin production in your skin – melanin is the substance that gives your eyes, hair, and skin its color. Second, glutathione also causes your body to produce lighter skin tones, rather than darker skin tones. By lowering your body’s melanin production and by your skin producing lighter skin tones, your skin will revert to its original skin tone without the blemishes caused by sun exposure and environmental pollution.

Aside from its skin lightening benefits, glutathione also offers anti-aging benefits.  The most common cause of skin aging is photoaging – photoaging is caused by constant exposure to the sun’s UV light. UV rays produce free radicals which damage our skin cells and causes early aging, which can further result in wrinkles, fine lines, age spots, and rough skin. One study proves that after applying glutathione, participants experienced a clear decrease in skin pigmentation, improved skin moisture, and significant wrinkle reduction.

Glutathione: Myths and Facts

There are many myths that surround glutathione. Here, we debunk some of the most common myths surrounding glutathione, while revealing the facts behind them.

Myth: You can only get glutathione through food and supplements.

Fact: While it is true that you can get glutathione through certain foods and supplements, they are not the only source of glutathione. The fact is, glutathione is naturally found in the body! Produced by the liver, glutathione is a naturally-occurring molecule in the body that is made up of three amino acids, specifically cysteine, glycine, and glutamate. It is a powerful antioxidant found in every cell in the body.

Myth: Its only purpose is for skin whitening.

Fact: Skin whitening is only one of the many benefits that you can get from using glutathione. Research shows that glutathione can help protect against a broad range of health issues, including chronic fatigue, diabetes, liver disease, cancer, and Parkinson’s disease.

Myth: There is no such thing as glutathione deficiency.

Fact: Glutathione levels decrease as we age. Other factors, such as stress, sun exposure, and environmental pollution can cause your glutathione levels to drop as well. To boost your glutathione levels, regular exercise and eating a healthy diet is highly important. Certain foods, such as asparagus, melons, potatoes, carrots, avocados, and squash may increase glutathione levels. Taking glutathione supplements may help boost your body’s glutathione levels as well.

Myth: All glutathione products have the same skin lightening effects.

Fact: Glutathione comes in many different forms – it comes in soaps, lotions, creams, health drinks, and in capsules. It is also offered intravenously. However, not all glutathione products have the same skin lightening effects. In fact, glutathione is reportedly best absorbed by the body when it is taken intravenously and straight into the bloodstream. Also, the effects of glutathione can vary from one person to another.

Tips to Help Boost Your Glutathione Levels

Glutathione has many important functions in the body, which is why maintaining adequate glutathione levels is highly important. Unfortunately, age, stress, sun exposure, and environmental pollution can cause your glutathione levels to drop. Fortunately, there are ways to increase your glutathione levels.

Below are 4 of the best ways to boost your glutathione levels.

• Eat more sulfur-rich foods.
  Sulfur is necessary for the activity and structure of important enzymes and proteins in the body. More importantly, sulfur is necessary for glutathione synthesis. Generally, sulfur is found in two amino acids in food, namely cysteine and methionine which are primarily derived from dietary proteins, including fish, poultry, and beef. However, you can also get sulfur from cruciferous vegetables, including kale, broccoli, and mustard greens.
• Exercise regularly.
  You already know that exercising regularly is important for your overall health. But did you know that it is also important for maintaining antioxidant levels, particularly glutathione? Research shows that exercising regularly, specifically performing cardio and weight training exercises, may help boost glutathione levels.
• Try turmeric.
  Curcumin, a crucial ingredient in turmeric, may help increase your glutathione levels. Researchers conclude that the curcumin in turmeric may help improve glutathione enzyme activities and that it may help restore adequate levels of glutathione in the body.
• Get enough rest and sleep.
  Sufficient rest and sleep are crucial to your overall health and wellbeing. However, did you know that chronic lack of sleep can cause oxidative stress and hormone imbalances and that it may decrease your glutathione levels as well? One study measuring glutathione levels in thirty healthy participants and thirty people with insomnia found that glutathione peroxidase activity was considerably lower in those with insomnia. This study shows that getting enough rest and sleep may help boost or maintain your glutathione levels.

Glutathione Other Health Benefits

Glutathione is said to protect against a broad range of health issues, including chronic fatigue, diabetes, liver disease, cancer, and Parkinson’s disease. Moreover, it is purported to preserve memory and reverse the aging process.

Maintaining optimal glutathione levels is crucial to your health. After all, it plays a significant role in antioxidant defense, the regulation of many biological processes, and the breakdown of nutrients. Research also shows that glutathione deficiency can contribute to oxidative stress, which can influence the development of many diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer, cystic fibrosis, and sickle cell anemia, among others.

Conclusion

Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant found in every cell in the body and has many important functions – from supporting immune function, breaking down free radicals, providing protection against oxidative stress, to assisting with regular cell death. It also said to protect against a broad range of health issues, including chronic fatigue, diabetes, liver disease, cancer, and Parkinson’s disease. Moreover, it offers numerous skin benefits, including skin lightening and anti-aging benefits.

However, despite being a naturally-occurring antioxidant in the body, glutathione levels can drop due to a number of factors, including age, stress, sun exposure, and environmental pollution. Fortunately, there are certain ways to boost your glutathione levels – by eating the right foods, exercising regularly, using turmeric, and getting enough rest and sleep, you can bring your body’s glutathione back to optimal levels!