Glutathione and Health

The Body's Quiet Workhorse for Cellular Health

Glutathione is not as well-known as vitamins or popular supplements, but it is important for how your body stays healthy. It works inside your cells, every minute of the day, protecting them from damage and helping them function normally. When glutathione levels drop, the effects show up slowly but widely, especially in energy, immunity, and resilience to stress. During the COVID years, glutathione has received the kind of attention that it deserves. Let me explain why.

What Glutathione Is, and How it Works

Glutathione is a small molecule made from three amino acids: cysteine, glutamate, and glycine. Unlike many antioxidants that come from food, your body makes glutathione on its own. That matters because it needs to be available exactly where damage is happening, inside cells and especially inside mitochondria.

Its main roles include:

• Neutralising free radicals before they damage proteins, fats, and DNA

• Supporting detoxification in the liver

• Controlling immune responses

• Maintaining the structure and function of mitochondria

Because glutathione is used up doing its job, your body has to remake it constantly. When demand outpaces production, levels fall.

How Glutathione Protects Mitochondria

Mitochondria are the power plants of the cell. They produce ATP, the energy currency your body runs on. That energy production also creates reactive oxygen species as a normal by-product of metabolism. Left unchecked, these reactive molecules damage mitochondrial membranes, enzymes, and mitochondrial DNA.

My articles about mitochondria: https://www.garymoller.com/blog/search/mitochondria

Glutathione is one of mitochondria's primary defence systems. Inside mitochondria, it:

• Neutralises reactive oxygen species before they cause structural damage

• Maintains mitochondrial membrane integrity

• Protects mitochondrial DNA, which lacks the robust repair systems found in the cell nucleus

• Supports efficient energy production

When mitochondrial glutathione is depleted, mitochondria become less efficient and more fragile. Over time, this can contribute to fatigue, poor stress tolerance, slower recovery, and accelerated cellular ageing.

Stress is a Major Glutathione Drain

Psychological stress triggers hormonal and inflammatory changes that increase oxidative stress throughout the body. Cortisol, adrenaline, and inflammatory signalling all raise free radical production.

Glutathione is consumed as it neutralises this excess load. Chronic stress is especially problematic because it creates a steady drain without allowing levels to fully recover.

Exercise is Helpful or Harmful, Depending on Dose

Exercise temporarily increases oxidative stress. In moderate amounts, this is helpful and signals the body to increase antioxidant defences, including glutathione synthesis.

Problems arise with overtraining, inadequate recovery, or calorie restriction combined with intense exercise. In these cases, glutathione is depleted faster than it can be replaced, contributing to lingering fatigue and slower healing. This is one of the best explanations as to why very fit young men and women are particularly at risk of post-vaccine heart damage (myocarditis, long COVID, etc).

Medications and Glutathione Depletion

Many medications rely on glutathione for safe processing and elimination. The liver uses glutathione to neutralise drug by-products so they can be excreted without damaging tissue.

Some drugs place a heavy demand on glutathione, especially when used frequently or long term. When reserves are low, drug metabolites can cause more oxidative damage, particularly in liver cells and mitochondria.

Environmental Toxins and Chemical Exposure

Heavy metals, air pollution, pesticides, and industrial chemicals all increase oxidative stress. Glutathione binds to many of these toxins, making them water-soluble so the body can get rid of them.

Repeated or high-level exposure, such as bathing in geothermal hot pools that are high in arsenic, can significantly deplete glutathione stores, leaving cells more vulnerable to damage.

Infections and Immune Demand

During infections, immune cells deliberately produce reactive oxygen species to kill pathogens. Glutathione helps keep this process controlled so surrounding tissues are not damaged.

Acute infections temporarily lower glutathione levels. Chronic or repeated infections can keep them suppressed, weakening immune regulation and slowing recovery.

Glutathione in the COVID Era

The COVID years added a new layer of biological stress. Repeated viral exposure, prolonged immune activation, lifestyle disruption, and chronic inflammation increased the demand on antioxidant systems across the population — be they vaccinated people, or not.

Viral infections place a significant oxidative burden on cells. Low glutathione status has been associated with poorer viral clearance, higher inflammatory signalling, and greater oxidative damage within mitochondria.

Any strong immune stimulus increases inflammatory signalling and oxidative stress. This includes infections and immune-targeted medical interventions. In most people, these responses resolve. In others, particularly those with pre-existing mitochondrial strains, inflammation may persist longer than expected.

Mitochondria are highly sensitive to inflammatory signalling. Cytokines can impair energy production, increase reactive oxygen species, and disrupt mitochondrial membranes. Glutathione helps buffer this response and supports recovery once immune activation subsides.

Post-viral syndromes, including long COVID, are increasingly associated with persistent oxidative stress and impaired mitochondrial function. Fatigue, brain fog, and exercise intolerance are classic signs of glutathione depletion and mitochondrial strain.

A Special Word about Paracetamol (Tylenol) Use, Glutathione, and Neurodevelopment

Paracetamol, sold in the United States as Tylenol, is one of the most common medications used worldwide. It is usually taken for pain relief and fever relief. It is often recommended because it does not hurt the stomach or affect blood clotting as much as other pain relievers do.

From a biochemical perspective, paracetamol places a direct demand on glutathione. Some of every dose is made into a chemical that reacts in the liver. Glutathione must neutralise this chemical to be eliminated. When glutathione availability is high enough, this process is well controlled. When glutathione is limited, oxidative stress and mitochondrial injury can increase.

This mechanism is well-established and is the reason paracetamol overdose primarily causes liver injury. What has received increasing attention in recent years is whether repeated or early-life exposure, particularly during pregnancy or infancy, when antioxidant systems are still developing, and the liver immature, could have more subtle downstream effects.

Several observational studies have reported associations between prenatal or early-childhood paracetamol exposure and higher rates of neurodevelopmental conditions, including autism. These studies do not prove causation, and confounding factors remain an important consideration. However, the proposed biological mechanism, involving glutathione depletion, oxidative stress, immune activation, and mitochondrial vulnerability, is coherent and biologically plausible.

From a clinical and biochemical standpoint, the plausibility of this link rests on several points:

• Paracetamol directly consumes glutathione during metabolism

• The developing brain is highly sensitive to oxidative and inflammatory stress

• Mitochondria play a central role in neurodevelopment

• Glutathione is a primary defence system for both mitochondria and immune regulation

This does not mean paracetamol causes autism. It does suggest that widespread, repeated use during critical developmental windows deserves careful consideration, particularly in populations already under oxidative or metabolic strain.

In New Zealand, paracetamol is sold under many common brands, like Panadol, Pamol, and Paracare. It is also available as generic paracetamol. These products contain the same active ingredient and share the same glutathione-dependent metabolic pathway.

As with any medication, paracetamol can be useful and appropriate when used judiciously. The broader point is that frequent or routine use, especially during pregnancy or early childhood, should be weighed against its biochemical cost, including its impact on glutathione reserves.

An Additional Word of Caution for Parents

Paracetamol (including products such as Panadol, Pamol, and generic paracetamol) is widely regarded as safe and is often the first-line option for pain and fever in children. Used sometimes and appropriately, it can be helpful and effective. That said, emerging research suggests there may be reasons to use it thoughtfully rather than regularly, particularly in early life.

Observational studies, including research led by New Zealand respiratory physician Professor Richard Beasley, have reported associations between paracetamol use during pregnancy or early childhood and an increased risk of wheezing or asthma later in childhood. These studies do not prove that paracetamol causes asthma, and respiratory infections themselves remain an important confounding factor. However, the proposed biological mechanism is coherent and warrants caution.

(As an aside, I met Professor Beasley and had several interesting talks with him about this topic. That seems like forever ago.)

Paracetamol metabolism places a direct demand on glutathione, a key antioxidant involved in regulating inflammation and protecting developing tissues, including the lungs. Infancy and early childhood are periods when the antioxidant and detoxification systems are still maturing, and when the immune and respiratory systems are particularly sensitive to oxidative stress.

From a practical perspective, it is reasonable for parents to consider:

• Using paracetamol only when clearly needed, rather than as a default or preventive measure

• Avoid frequent or prolonged use where possible

• Being especially cautious with use during pregnancy, infancy, and early childhood

• Avoiding paracetamol use around the time of vaccinations, when the immune system is already under increased demand

• Delaying vaccinations during periods of added physiological stress in children, such as acute illness (including colds or viral infections), active teething, or major nutritional transitions (for example, moving from breastfeeding to formula or solid foods), where appropriate and in consultation with a healthcare provider

This approach is not about fear or avoidance of necessary treatment. It reflects a risk—benefit mindset, recognising that medications have biochemical costs as well as benefits, and that timing and context matter, particularly during critical stages of development.

Parents with concerns about pain relief options, vaccination timing, or frequent medication use are encouraged to discuss these questions with a trusted healthcare professional who can provide guidance tailored to their child's individual situation.

Clinical takeaway (risk–benefit perspective) for Paracetamol:

Paracetamol is effective for short-term pain and fever relief. It is usually okay to use it sometimes and at the right dose.

1. Its metabolism places a direct demand on glutathione, increasing oxidative and mitochondrial stress when use is frequent, prolonged, or occurs during vulnerable developmental periods.

2. During pregnancy, infancy, and early childhood, think about using the lowest dose for the shortest time needed. Don't use it often or, better still - not at all.

3. In individuals with high oxidative burden or mitochondrial vulnerability, overall glutathione status may be a relevant factor when assessing medication tolerance.

4. Avoid taking paracetamol before vaccinations. This is because both the immune system and the mitochondria use the same amount of antioxidants and mitochondrial resources to activate the immune system and to make paracetamol.

5. It is generally sensible to avoid vaccinations during periods of added physiological stress in children, such as during acute illness (including colds or viral infections), active teething, or major nutritional transitions (for example, moving from breastfeeding to formula or solid foods), when inflammatory and metabolic demands are already elevated.

Summary

Modern life already strains glutathione through stress, pollution, medications, and metabolic demands. The COVID era added repeated immune challenges on top of this foundation. For many people, that pushed the system from resilience into depletion.

Glutathione does not prevent exposure or immune activation. What it does is limit collateral cellular damage and determine how well mitochondria recover afterward.

In a time marked by chronic stress and sustained inflammation, glutathione has become one of the most important molecules for maintaining cellular stability, energy production, and long-term resilience.

Practitioner-Grade Glutathione Now Available (Limited Supply)

We have secured a small quantity of practitioner-grade glutathione (250 mg, one-a-day tablets). It is currently available for under $30 plus delivery (usual RRP $47, plus delivery).

This reduced price reflects a short expiry later this year, but it is still good for another year. The formulation and manufacturing standards are unchanged; however, supply is limited and will not be restocked at this price.

For individuals already considering glutathione support as part of a broader health or mitochondrial-support strategy, this may represent a cost-effective option while stock remains available.

Product link: https://precisionhealthtesting.com/products/glutathione-250mg-30-capsules?_pos=1&_psq=gluta&_ss=e&_v=1.0

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Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Glutathione supplementation may not be suitable for everyone. Individuals who are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medications, or managing a medical condition should consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new supplement.