Glutathione is quickly becoming more well-known and widespread in the health world, and for good reason! There are so many benefits of glutathione IV therapy and IM shots that are being discovered. We include this powerhouse nutrient in most of our drips and have options to add it to your treatment as an IM shot or additive. If you’re still wondering if it’s right for your health goals, this article is for you.
We often refer to glutathione as the “mother of all antioxidants” because of its powerful ability to clean out free radicals from the body. It comprises three amino acids: glutamate, glycine, and cysteine and naturally occurs in the body. Glutathione can also be sourced from food; however, it is not easily absorbed by the body. IV therapy is a great method for maximizing glutathione absorption. Today we’ll explore why this is the best method as well as some of the most prominent benefits of glutathione IV therapy.
Before diving into all the amazing benefits of glutathione, it’s important to understand the dangers of not getting enough glutathione. According to Dr Joseph Pizzorno, those who are deficient in glutathione may be at risk for:
Not only is it important to get enough glutathione, there are plenty of benefits of glutathione IV therapy
In this list, we’ll only go through the top 7 benefits of glutathione IVs, but know there are plenty more! In order to experience the full benefits of glutathione, learn about what to avoid while taking it here.
One of the roles of glutathione is to clear the body of free radicals and toxins. This benefits the body as a whole but has a particular benefit for the Liver which holds a similar function, thus having a high amount of toxin. The liver can also develop a condition that is called Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease that can lead to other chronic liver conditions.
The NIH published a study done to measure the impact of treating NAFLD with glutathione and they found using glutathione as a therapeutic treatment had a profound impact. Improved liver health is just one of many benefits of glutathione IV therapy (Honda, Yasushi, et al).
Another role of glutathione is to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation. It has been found that individuals with depleted glutathione experience much higher levels of inflammation. This is due to groups or collections of free radicals that don’t get broken up because there is not enough glutathione in the body to do so.
Oxidative stress and inflammation can be caused by a number of different environmental factors but simply stated, if lots of toxins are introduced to your body, there is a chance you have low glutathione and could use the benefits of glutathione IV.
Many noticeable signs of aging happen in the skin. From sun spots, to wrinkles, to a decrease in elasticity, an individual’s skin is one of the first places to take a toll from free radicals in the body. Glutathione has been shown to slow this process by promoting skin elasticity, reducing wrinkles, and reducing pigmentation in the skin (Weschawalit, Sinee, et al).
As glutathione repairs damaged cells and improves skin health, it also is able to support strong nails and healthy hair creating a youthful glow.
In cases of chronic illness, one of the often found common factors is low levels of glutathione. Prolonged periods of high oxidative stress levels lead to depleted glutathione and speed up the onset of chronic conditions such as cancer, autoimmune diseases, chronic infections, and neurodegenerative conditions. Preventing chronic illness and slowing down the onset of symptoms is one of the greatest benefits of glutathione IV therapy (Hristov, Boris D).
For one’s body to operate at peak performance, it needs the resources to build strength and endurance. Glutathione is great for improving athletic ability and is excellent for cellular repair to support recovery.
One well-known benefit of glutathione IV therapy, and other forms of glutathione supplementation, is decreased skin pigmentation. Many individuals use glutathione to get a more consistent, even complexion or to naturally reduce dark spots.
In another NIH study, glutathione supplementation was found to improve insulin sensitivity in a test group over a 3 week time period. Out of all the benefits of glutathione IV therapy, this one may be most overlooked. Improving insulin sensitivity through glutathione supplementation could be a powerful tool for preventing type two diabetes and overall improving health (Søndergård SD).
Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant that is quickly becoming more recognized as individuals experience the benefits of glutathione IV treatments. If you’re thinking of taking your health and wellness to the next level with a glutathione IV or IM shot, here are a couple additional things to know about glutathione:
There are certain things you should avoid if you’re taking glutathione. Alcohol consumption, smoking, and toxin exposure are a few to watch out for.
There’s more to know about glutathione IVs. Read more here.
Know what to expect from a treatment and understand what happens before and after taking glutathione.
Honda, Yasushi, et al. “Efficacy of Glutathione for the Treatment of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: An Open-Label, Single-Arm, Multicenter, Pilot Study.” BMC Gastroenterology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 8 Aug. 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5549431/.
Hristov, Boris D. “The Role of Glutathione Metabolism in Chronic Illness Development and Its Potential Use as a Novel Therapeutic Target.” Cureus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 28 Sept. 2022, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9616098/.
Søndergård SD;Cintin I;Kuhlman AB;Morville TH;Bergmann ML;Kjær LK;Poulsen HE;Giustarini D;Rossi R;Dela F;Helge JW;Larsen S; “The Effects of 3 Weeks of Oral Glutathione Supplementation on Whole Body Insulin Sensitivity in Obese Males with and without Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Trial.” Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism = Physiologie Appliquee, Nutrition et Metabolisme, U.S. National Library of Medicine, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33740389/. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.
Pizzorno, Joseph. “Glutathione!” Integrative Medicine (Encinitas, Calif.), U.S. National Library of Medicine, Feb. 2014, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4684116/.
Weschawalit, Sinee, et al. “Glutathione and Its Antiaging and Antimelanogenic Effects.” Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 27 Apr. 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5413479/.
Drip Admin has written several informative articles and guides on the benefits of IV therapy, emphasizing the science behind the practice. Our writing style is engaging, concise, and accessible, making complex medical concepts easily understandable for readers.
call or text
(385) 301-6279