Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant produced by your liver and found in several sulfur-rich fruits and vegetables to alleviate toxins and free radicals. It has also been called “the body’s master antioxidant.” It can be taken orally, but it can be better absorbed when injected into the bloodstream via intravenous infusion.
It is widely known that glutathione injection can be used for skin lightening and brightening, but it has many other benefits as well. It detoxifies the liver and kidneys, reduces oxidative stress, fights cancer, improves cellular function, and helps prevent damage from the chemotherapy drug cisplatin. It also protects against Parkinson’s disease and AIDS.
The antimelanogenic effects of glutathione have led to it being used as a beauty and skin whitening treatment. However, its popularity for this purpose is not supported by the scientific literature. In fact, there is evidence that it can reverse pheomelanin to eumelanin during melanogenesis and may cause hyperpigmentation in certain individuals.
In addition to whitening and improving the appearance of the skin, glutathione has been shown to improve energy, immune system function, sex drive, and more. The whitening effect is thought to be due to its ability to neutralize the harmful free radicals that can damage chromosomes and lead to discoloration of the skin. It also reduces the production of melanin pigment by inhibiting tyrosinase, an enzyme that is required for melanin production. Injections deliver the highest concentration of glutathione into the bloodstream – bypassing the sluggish digestive process – and delivers the antioxidant directly to the tissues.