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Liposomal Glutathione

This type of product is somewhat unique among glutathione supplements. Most products work by increasing availability of the amino acid cysteine. The concept behind liposomal glutathione is to transport reduced glutathione directly into the cells by means of liposomes.

There is not much in the way of published research on this type of technology, at this time. Cited below is one animal study [1] and several pending patent applications [2-5].

A liposome is an artificial sphere about 0.0001 to 0.0005 mm in size. They are made of phospolipid, the same material that makes up the membrane of a cell. Therefore, when it touches the cell membrane the cell, it fuses with it and anything enclosed within the liposome ends up inside the cell.

There are three problems with the idea of ingesting glutathione directly:

1. Glutathione breaks down in the digestive tract.

2. Once in the bloodstream, glutathione gets oxidized to its dimer form.

3. Glutathione cannot pass through the cell membrane.

Liposomal glutathione products solve these problems rather neatly. The liposome encloses the glutathione and protects it from being broken down in the gut and from being oxidized in the bloodstream. Then it gets the glutathione past the cell membrane.

Another advantage may be that it works faster than cysteine based products. It takes time for the body to manufacture it's own glutathione from cysteine. Cysteine is also oxidized to cystine. This is a dimer of cysteine. It is much less easily absorbed and most of it is excreted. This is a large part of the reason why only about 10% of the cysteine released by NAC actually gets absorbed. Liposomal glutathione seems to shortcut this process by direct transport of glutathione into the cells. Typical adult dosage information implies that a plateau level of glutathione is reached within only 7 to 10 days, after which a maintenance dosage is used:

For Adults: Begin with 1.5 teaspoonfuls (approx. 650 mg) twice daily for 7 to 10 days and can be lowered to one teaspoonful (approx. 430mg) daily as a "maintenance serving", or as otherwise directed by your physician or health care professional.

For Children: Begin with 1/8 - ¼ of a teaspoon (approx. 55-108 mg) for every 30lbs of the child’s weight, twice a day. Please consult with your child’s physician before use. Parents can adjust servings based on individual needs—or as otherwise directed by a physician.

Studies that show that glutathione is typically 50% lower in children with autism[2] and anecdotal experience suggest that this type of product might be particularly helpful for children with autism and autistic disorders such as Asperger's. However, there do not appear to be any clinical evaluations of this type of product for the treatment of autistic disorders.

NUTRITIONAL DATA

DAILY COST

Cost of 4 oz. bottle (shipping and handling not included): $60.00 / 24 servings = $2.50.

REFERENCES

Animal Studies:

[1] Rosenblat M, Volkova N, Coleman R, Aviram M.

Anti-oxidant and anti-atherogenic properties of liposomal glutathione: studies in vitro, and in the atherosclerotic apolipoprotein E-deficient mice.

Artherosclerosis. 2007 Dec;195(2):e61-8. Epub 2007 Jun 22.

Clinical Studies:

[2] Chauhan A, Chauhan V.

Oxidative stress in autism.

Pathophysiology. 2006 Aug;13(3):171-81.

Patent applications:

[3] Guilford, FT

Administration of glutathione (reduced) via intravenous or encapsulated in liposome for the amelioration of tnf-alpha effects and flu-like viral symptoms and treatment and prevention of virus

U.S. Pat. App. 20070077258 April 5, 2007

[3] Guilford, FT

Liposomal formulation for oral administration of glutathione (reduced) and/or methylcobalamine for diseases related to glutathione deficiency and deficiency of the methionine remethylation pathway

U.S. Pat. App. 20070053970 March 8, 2007

[4] Guilford, FT

Combination and method using EDTA combined with glutathione in the reduced state encapsulated in a liposome to facilitate the method of delivery of the combination as an oral, topical, intraoral or transmucosal, for anti-thrombin effect and for anti-platelet aggregation and measurement of efficacy

U.S. Pat. App. 20070065497 March 22, 2007

[5] Guilford, FT

Liposomal formulation for oral administration of glutathione (reduced)

U.S. Pat. App. 20060099244 May 11, 2006

Last revision: Sunday 6 July 2008 18:04 GMT.