Liposomal Glutathione and Reduced Glutathione: origin and absorption

Reduced glutathione is one of the most sought-after supplements on the market at present, thanks to recent studies linking this molecule to various effects useful for the body.

Within the supplement landscape, this molecule is available in two forms: liposomal or free.

In the light of the latest scientific research, some assumptions about the greater bioavailability of the liposomal form, as well as other assumptions about the usefulness of NAC (N-Acetylcysteine) as a glutathione precursor, need to be reviewed.

In this article we look in depth at the nature and the different assimilability characteristics of liposomal glutathione and free reduced glutathione, on the basis of which we have chosen to use exclusively the free form obtained from biofermentation, at the maximum permitted amounts (and combined with Quercetin from Caper and Naringenin from Chinotto) in the Salugea Glutatione Forte food supplement.

• Liposomal Glutathione: characteristics and limits
• Reduced Glutathione from biofermentation: a natural and assimilable choice
• Assimilability of free reduced Glutathione taken orally
• NAC, a synthetic substance that we do not recommend over the long term

Liposomal Glutathione: characteristics and limits

Glutathione is an oligopeptide made up of just 3 amino acids (glycine, cysteine and glutamic acid), elements that provide the components for building proteins and other related substances.

Liposomal glutathione is Glutathione in a form “encapsulated” in fatty components (usually phospholipids) that preserve its structure and make it easier to assimilate. This form has several negative aspects to consider. Let us look at them in detail:

• Less liposomal Glutathione can be put into a capsule, since it is accompanied by a certain mass of inert fats. The liposomal structure therefore reduces the effective concentration of the active ingredient for each unit of weight/volume.
• In addition, the phospholipids used to make up the fatty matter may present critical points:

Allergens and GMOs

The phospholipids used are obtained mainly from soya seeds or egg yolk. They are therefore potential allergens to which many people may be sensitive¹. Moreover, soya always raises doubts about its quality because of the possibility that it may be GMO.

Synthetic ingredients

To create these liposomal nanoparticles, ingredients of synthetic origin can also be used, such as saturated synthetic phospholipids, based on the use of stearic and/or palmitic fatty acid².

Furthermore, in the production process leading to the formation of the liposomal nanoparticles, synthetic processing aids (surfactants) such as Span 60, Span 80, Tween 60 and Tween 80 are used, which may therefore be found as residual traces in the product³.

Reduced Glutathione from biofermentation: a natural and assimilable choice

Unlike liposomal Glutathione, free reduced Glutathione does not need protection with fatty matter because the active is in the form of an oligopeptide and can be rapidly assimilated already in the stomach and/or duodenum.

The reduced Glutathione used in the formulation of the Salugea Glutatione Forte food supplement also comes from natural sources, to be precise from biofermentation (by living microorganisms that generate it under controlled conditions) and not, for instance, from enzymatic synthesis.

For a truly natural product, biofermentation is the optimal choice. The second option, in fact, can turn out to be far from natural.

With free reduced Glutathione we can therefore put more Glutathione into the capsule.

And to make it even more effective, in the formulation of Glutatione Forte we have combined it with antioxidant elements from plant sources such as Quercetin, Hesperidin, Resveratrol, which protect the molecule still further, effectively creating a lipophilic protection package against gastric digestive enzymes, so as to better preserve its integrity and its functionality.

In fact, one of the main limits of the studies claiming that liposomal Glutathione is more assimilable than Reduced Glutathione that is not liposomal is that they refer to tests in which it is administered on its own, in pure form, and not together with other plant components that can safeguard its structure and therefore its direct assimilability.

Assimilability of free reduced glutathione taken orally

In recent times the idea that taking free reduced Glutathione orally has no significant functional effects has become dominant.

In reality it is a truly tiny oligopeptide. Thanks to this small size it can be absorbed by the body directly already at the level of the mucous membranes of the stomach and duodenum.

This interesting clinical study⁴ showed that, in the subjects treated, the concentration of Glutathione in the blood and in the erythrocytes increased by an average of 30% after 1, 3 and 6 months of administration of free reduced Glutathione taken orally.

The researchers suggest that the daily consumption of glutathione supplements is useful for increasing the physiological reserves of this element.

In this other scientific paper⁵, carried out on subjects given free reduced Glutathione orally, a significant increase in the levels of Glutathione bound to plasma proteins was observed from 60 to 120 minutes after GSH supplementation.

This simply confirms numerous studies carried out in vitro and on animals^6-7-8 which showed an actual increase in GSH in the blood and in the tissues of various organs following oral supplementation with the molecule, thus demonstrating its genuine bioavailability, even when it is not in liposomal form.

To sum up, the routes of oral assimilation of Glutathione are held to be:

• Direct absorption in the gastrointestinal tract (intact molecule), especially at gastro-duodenal level
• Lysis in the gastrointestinal tract (release of the individual amino acids, which then go on to rebuild the pool needed for its resynthesis)
• Intestinal absorption (intact molecule)

The choice of using a liposomal or a free Glutathione must therefore be made with care, giving due consideration to all the points set out above, such as the wish to use a more or less natural product, the way it is taken (on a full or empty stomach), the length of the course and its purposes.

NAC, a synthetic substance that we do not recommend over the long term

NAC is the acronym for N-Acetylcysteine, a substance that acts as a precursor of Glutathione.

There are, however, some points that must be made clear:

1. The source of NAC is synthetic. The source of a functional element is one of the most important aspects to assess when choosing a product for your own wellbeing. You should know that synthetic compounds may be less bioavailable and more likely to cause unwanted effects. In practice, your body will struggle to recognise and use them as it should.

2. NAC performs a pharmacological mucolytic function. This is the most important aspect to bear in mind. If you were to keep taking a product containing NAC over time, it would be as if you were continuously taking a substance with a mucolytic action. Over the long term this is not appropriate, nor entirely healthy, in our opinion. This study⁹ in fact suggests reviewing the current literature in order to assess the long-term effects of NAC. In particular, the authors point out how prolonged intake over time may be counterproductive because of the possible side effects of the substance.

We hope we have given you some additional information that will help you to assess and choose the Glutathione-based product best suited to your needs.

Dr Stefano Censani - Biologist and Naturopath