Longevity and cellular defence
Glutathione
Also known as GSH, Gamma-glutamylcysteinylglycine
A tripeptide produced naturally in nearly every human cell, and the body's principal intracellular antioxidant.
What it is
Glutathione is a tripeptide of glutamate, cysteine and glycine. Unlike most compounds in this catalogue it is not a synthetic or exotic molecule: your cells make it continuously, and it is one of the most studied molecules in redox biology. Research interest centres on the fact that intracellular levels decline with age and under oxidative stress.
What published research examines
- Redox balance and the ratio of reduced to oxidised glutathione
- Phase II detoxification pathways in the liver
- Oxidative stress markers across a range of tissues
- Bioavailability, which is a central methodological question in the literature
Where the research stands
Glutathione itself is extremely well characterised biochemically. The open research questions concern delivery and bioavailability rather than its biological role.