A clinical trial investigated the effects of oral Liposomal Glutathione supplementation on blood glutathione levels, oxidative stress, and immune function.
“Liposomes have been used as an effective means of drug delivery allowing for more efficient absorption and delivery of both hydrophilic and lipophilic substances and greater protection against oxidation and degradation.”
Liposomal Glutathione Supplementation Evaluated in Humans
This was a 1-month, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot clinical trial conducted in 12 healthy adults.
The participants were split into two groups and received their respective dosages for one month:
- Low dose: 500 mg Liposomal Glutathione per day
- High dose: 1000 mg Liposomal Glutathione per day
Blood was analyzed at baseline, and after 1, 2, and 4 weeks of supplementation.
Glutathione Levels Increased Across All Blood Samples
Liposomal Glutathione raised glutathione levels in all parts of the blood tested:
- Whole Blood: ↑ 40% after 2 weeks
- Erythrocyte (red blood cells): ↑ 28% after 1 and 2 weeks
- Plasma (liquid part of blood that carries nutrients, hormones, and waste but no cells): ↑ 25% after 2 weeks
- PBMC (white blood cells): ↑ 100% after 2 weeks
“Increases occurred in all compartments suggesting a systemic effect and that other less-accessible tissues may be impacted in a similar manner.”
Participants starting with lower glutathione (GSH) levels saw the biggest improvements after taking the supplement.
“The strong inverse correlation of GSH changes with baseline levels suggest that supplementation has its greatest effect in subjects with the lowest baseline GSH levels.”
Markers of Oxidative Stress Were Reduced
Liposomal Glutathione supplementation significantly reduced the oxidized-to-reduced glutathione ratio, indicating improved antioxidant balance.
- Largest reductions (18-20%) occurred in the high-dose group after 1 and 2 weeks
- Combined dose groups significantly reduced the ratio by 14% after 1 and 2 weeks
“The decreases observed in oxidized:reduced GSH as a result of oral liposomal GSH supplementation are likely indicative of a general systemic reduction in oxidative stress levels.”
Plasma levels of 8-isoprostane (a marker of oxidative stress) decreased after liposomal glutathione supplementation.
- The largest decrease (35%) was observed in the low-dose group after 2 weeks
The figure below shows the effect of Liposomal Glutathione on blood biomarkers of oxidative stress.
Top panel: The ratio of oxidized and reduced glutathione ratio were reduced by 18-20% in the high-dose group (striped bars) at weeks 1 and 2. No changes were seen in the low-dose group (gray bars).
Bottom panel: 8-Isoprostane levels were reduced by 35% in the low dose group (gray bar) at week 2. No effect was seen in the high-dose group (striped bars).
“GSH increases were accompanied by reductions in oxidative stress biomarkers including decreases of 35% in plasma 8-isoprostane and 20% in oxidized:reduced GSH ratios (P<0.05).”
Liposomal Glutathione Enhanced Immune Function
The ability of immune cells (lymphocytes) to multiply increased after 1-2 weeks of Liposomal Glutathione use, with a significant 60% boost in the high dose group after 2 weeks.
Natural killer (NK) cell activity, which helps fight infections, increased by 400% in the low-dose group and 210% in the high-dose group after 2 weeks.
The figure below shows the effects of Liposomal Glutathione supplementation on immune function markers.
Top panel: The ability of immune cells to multiply (lymphocyte proliferation) significantly increased by 60% in the high-dose group (striped bars) after 2 weeks of Liposomal Glutathione supplementation.
Bottom panel: The activity of natural killer cells (NK cell cytotoxicity) increased at weeks 2 and 4 for both the low-dose (gray bars) and high-dose (striped bars) groups.
These immune improvements aligned with the increases in glutathione levels in PBMCs (white blood cells).
“The time course of these effects on immune function coincided with the observed increases in PBMC GSH content.”
Conclusion
Liposomal Glutathione effectively boosted glutathione levels in healthy adults after just one week of supplementation.
“Liposomal GSH appeared to be effective at two doses (500 and 1000 mg/d) and effects were seen as early as 1 week.”
Participants experienced a decrease in oxidative stress and improved immune function.
“Collectively, these preliminary findings support the effectiveness of daily liposomal GSH administration at elevating stores of GSH and impacting immune function and levels of oxidative stress.”