Glutathione is often called the body’s “master antioxidant” — and for good reason. It protects your cells, supports detoxification and can help recycle vitamins and other antioxidants. Yet few people realize that its levels naturally decline with age, stress and poor nutrition.
As Dr. Rachele Pojednic, Restore’s Chief Science Officer and a Harvard-trained exercise and nutrition scientist, explains, “Anytime you have excess stress on your body, Glutathione is going to be a really great tool to help reduce that stress and inflammation.”
To understand why this antioxidant matters and how Glutathione IV Therapy can make a difference, we spoke with Dr. Rachele for her insights into why Glutathione deserves a closer look.
Highlights
- Glutathione is your body’s master antioxidant, supporting detoxification, energy and immune balance.
- Research links optimal Glutathione levels to healthier liver function, clearer skin, sharper focus and faster recovery.
- Restore’s IV Drips combine Glutathione with other nutrients such as vitamins and amino acids for enhanced antioxidant support.
- Backed by medical oversight, Restore’s Glutathione IV Drip can help you recover, recharge and age well, inside and out.
What Is Glutathione?
Glutathione has become something of a buzzword in wellness, but as Dr. Rachele points out, “a lot of people don’t really know what it is or what it does.”
She explains, “Glutathione is made up of three nutrients, the amino acids called glycine, cysteine and glutamic acid, and we call this a tripeptide. It’s an antioxidant that your body can make all by itself and produces it regularly.”
It’s a small but powerful molecule that serves as your body’s natural defense against oxidative stress. You can think of it as your cells’ built-in cleanup crew, neutralizing unstable molecules called reactive oxygen species (ROS) before they can damage DNA, proteins or cell membranes.1
However, Dr. Rachele explains that “Glutathione production can naturally decline with age,” and it can also be depleted by
- chronic stress
- exposure to pollution
- a poor diet
When levels drop, oxidative stress may increase and the body can become more vulnerable to inflammation, fatigue and slower recovery.1 That’s why maintaining or restoring optimal Glutathione levels has become a focus in wellness and longevity research.
How Does Glutathione Work In the Body?
Glutathione doesn’t just act in one way. It operates through several biochemical systems that keep cells healthy and nutrients balanced. Here’s how this small molecule manages big responsibilities inside your body.
Antioxidant Defense
Glutathione’s primary role is to neutralize reactive oxygen species, the unstable molecules produced during metabolism and stress. This process can help maintain redox balance (the steady state between oxidation and antioxidant protection).
Glutathione’s redox activity is essential for preventing damage to DNA, proteins and cell membranes that can accelerate cellular aging.2
Detoxification
In the liver, Glutathione binds to toxins, drugs and heavy metals through enzyme-mediated reactions called conjugation. This process converts these undesirable materials into water-soluble compounds that can then be excreted from the body through bile or urine.3,4
Antioxidant Recycling
Glutathione may help regenerate other antioxidants, most notably Vitamins C and E, after they’ve been used up in fighting free radicals. This recycling process enables these antioxidants to continue protecting cells from free radicals, creating a stronger and more efficient antioxidant network overall.5
Cellular and Mitochondrial Protection
Thanks to its role in redox maintenance, Glutathione may also help cells preserve mitochondrial function, the cell’s primary source of energy. It plays a role in supporting and stabilizing the lipids within the mitochondria’s protective membranes, preventing mitochondrial death and helping cells produce energy efficiently while minimizing oxidative wear.2
Together, these processes explain why Glutathione is regarded as the body’s master antioxidant: it can shield cells from stress and also help other antioxidant systems perform at their best.
Evidence‑Based Benefits of Glutathione
While your body naturally produces Glutathione, modern research shows that replenishing its levels can support key systems involved in recovery, immunity and overall wellness.
We asked Dr. Rachele to break down what the science tells us and where Restore’s IV Drip Therapy can play a role in keeping this essential antioxidant working at its best.
1. Liver Health and Detox
Your liver does a lot of heavy lifting, such as filtering toxins, processing nutrients and supporting digestion, and Glutathione is at the center of it all. Scientists estimate that up to 60% of substances released in bile (biliary byproducts) are formed through Glutathione-related detox pathways.6
When Glutathione levels drop, the liver struggles to keep up with detox demands, leaving you feeling sluggish or inflamed. Supporting your body's natural Glutathione can improve liver function and help it rebound, whether the stress comes from alcohol, travel, medication or chronic illness.3,4
2. Immune Support
Glutathione is a key nutrient in maintaining a balanced and effective immune system. It can support both the innate immune system, which is the body’s first line of defense, and the adaptive immune system, which learns to recognize and respond to pathogens over time.7
Studies have explored Glutathione's role in defense against viral infections8, immune resilience in severe conditions such as sepsis9 and management of chronic infections that compromise immune function, e.g., Lyme disease10, although further research is needed.
Dr. Rachele explains, “If you have some kind of low‑grade inflammation or you’re injured or you’re recovering from a surgery, you can increase the amount of Glutathione in circulation to make sure that you’re protected from all of the reactive oxygen species that might be doing damage.”
3. Metabolic Health & Insulin Sensitivity
Oxidative stress can interfere with how cells use insulin, the hormone that can help move glucose from the blood into cells for energy.
When the body’s antioxidant defenses, such as Glutathione, are depleted, oxidative damage can increase, and cells can become less responsive to insulin. This condition, known as insulin resistance, is a key step in the development of type 2 diabetes. 12
Maintaining adequate Glutathione levels can support healthy cellular metabolism and help regulate blood sugar by reducing oxidative stress, allowing insulin to work more efficiently.
4. Skin Health and Anti‑Aging
Our skin constantly faces oxidative stress from UV light, pollution and even the natural aging process. 11 Glutathione can help by neutralizing free radicals before they can damage collagen, lipids and skin cells.
Studies have shown that this antioxidant activity can improve skin brightness (by reducing melanin), increase skin moisture, improve skin elasticity and minimize the appearance of wrinkles, resulting in a more youthful skin, all without significant side effects. 13, 14
While IV Therapy is one of the fastest ways to raise Glutathione levels in the body, research on its direct impact on skin health is still emerging. Early reviews suggest potential benefits and call for more controlled studies to understand long-term results.15
5. Neurological Support and Mental Clarity
The brain is particularly vulnerable to oxidative stress, which can disrupt communication between neurons and impact memory, focus and mood.
Studies show that Glutathione depletion is one of the earliest changes observed in neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, where oxidative stress damages dopamine-producing neurons. 18
Research also suggests that low Glutathione levels may play a role in autism spectrum disorders. 17
Early findings support that restoring Glutathione balance may improve cognitive performance and reduce oxidative stress in the aging brain, thanks to its powerful antioxidant properties, though findings remain preliminary. 16,19
6. Exercise Recovery and Stress Adaptation
When you push your body, whether through an intense workout, a demanding climb or long hours of travel, your cells generate more free radicals, increasing oxidative stress.
Glutathione Therapy may help restore balance by neutralizing these reactive molecules, supporting muscle recovery and protecting tissues from exercise-induced damage. 21
Research shows that during high-intensity or multi-stressor field training, Glutathione levels rise as the body adapts to physical stress, while oxidative stress markers decrease, evidence of how the Glutathione system strengthens with consistent activity. 20
Dr. Rachele explains that Glutathione can also be used proactively: “Some people use it as a preventive tool, especially before a big physical challenge, because they know it can help keep inflammation as low as possible before the body goes through that stress.”
How to Increase Glutathione Levels
Your body naturally makes Glutathione, but certain habits can help maintain optimal levels. Here’s how to support your natural production and ensure your antioxidant defenses stay balanced.
Eat Foods That Support Glutathione Production
Glutathione is made from amino acids, especially Cysteine, found in foods like garlic, onions, broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts and whey protein. Nutrients such as Selenium and Vitamin C also support this process by helping recycle and stabilize Glutathione.2
Be Mindful With Supplements
Some supplements provide Glutathione directly, while others contain precursors such as N-acetylcysteine (NAC) or Glycine. However, oral Glutathione has limited bioavailability, meaning only a portion gets absorbed through digestion. Quality can also vary, so it’s best to choose clinically tested products or consult a healthcare provider. 21
Consider IV Therapy for Direct Absorption
Intravenous Glutathione delivers high concentrations straight into the bloodstream, bypassing digestion for faster and more efficient absorption.
At Restore Hyper Wellness, Glutathione is featured in several member-favorite IV Drips, like the Amplified Beauty IV Drip and Defender IV Drip, each administered by a Nurse Practitioner (NP) who tailors the dose to your goals and monitors safety throughout the process.
Support Your Body Through Lifestyle
Daily choices make a difference. Reducing toxin exposure, eating balanced meals, exercising regularly and managing stress all help preserve your body’s natural Glutathione stores and keep its antioxidant defenses strong.2
Safety and Side Effects
IV Glutathione is generally well-tolerated when administered under medical supervision. People rarely report any side effects, which are usually mild, such as nausea or temporary discomfort at the injection site.
Dr. Rachele cautions, “There is a strict contraindication for pregnancy. So if you're pregnant, you can't get Glutathione.”
Still, anyone with underlying conditions like asthma, kidney disease, or sensitivities to sulfur-containing compounds should consult a healthcare provider before use.
Glutathione at Restore Hyper Wellness
At Restore Hyper Wellness, every IV Drip is administered by an NP to ensure comfort and safety.
Dr. Rachele explains the process: “When you arrive at our studio [for the first time], you fill out a health form, consult with an NP and get clearance for receiving IV micronutrients. Through this process, we can discover what you’re experiencing in your day-to-day, if you have any contraindications and what you're really looking to get out of the nutrients."
This consultation enables the NP to determine if you're a suitable candidate for Glutathione and any other nutrients that may be beneficial to pair with it.
As Dr. Rachele explains, “We’ve strategically put together specific nutrient combinations that act on different pathways we’re trying to target.”
For instance, she notes that in the Amplified Beauty IV Drip, “you have two times Vitamin C, which is a very potent antioxidant, along with amino acids like Lysine and Proline that are precursors to collagen and elasticity in your skin.”
Vitamins and amino acids can amplify the antioxidant and recovery effects of Glutathione in our nutrient packs. 22
Clients often pair their Glutathione IV Therapy with other Restore Therapies like Compression Therapy (which can be done at the same time as an IV Drip), Red Light Therapy or the Infrared Sauna, for a holistic approach to energy, recovery and overall wellness.
Ready to see how Glutathione can help you feel your best? Book your Glutathione IV Drip today, visit our studio and an NP will guide you to the best nutrient formula for your goals.
FAQs
What does Glutathione do for your body?
Glutathione neutralizes harmful free radicals, supports detoxification by binding to toxins and heavy metals and recycles other antioxidants. Adequate levels protect cells, support immunity and maintain liver and brain health.
Is Glutathione safe?
In clinical studies, Glutathione is well-tolerated at typical doses. Adverse effects are rare and mild. However, it should be administered under professional supervision and it’s strictly contraindicated during pregnancy.
What’s the difference between oral supplements and IV Glutathione?
Oral Glutathione has low bioavailability because digestive enzymes break it down, while IV administration provides 100% bioavailability directly into the bloodstream for immediate absorption. Restore’s IV Drips pair Glutathione with complementary nutrients to maximize benefits.
