What is Glutathione and how is it administered?
Glutathione is a potent antioxidant and immune system modulator. It is a naturally occurring compound produced in most cells in the body and is composed of 3 amino acids. Because it is an antioxidant, it is used in a wide variety of treatments. It can be administered in multiple ways, from oral ingestion of capsules to intravenous injection. Nebulizing (also known as aerosolizing) a solution of glutathione allows direct administration to the respiratory tract including the lungs. This improves the therapeutic benefit for those suffering from respiratory tract disorders.
How does glutathione help with respiratory disorders?
In respiratory disorders, Nebulized Glutathione has been shown to:
- Improve immune system function by increasing the numbers of white blood cells (specifically Cytotoxic T cells)
- Function as a mucolytic: It helps to decrease the amount and thickness of the mucous produced in the respiratory tract
- Improve pulmonary function: by helping to increase total lung capacity (i.e. the volume of air able to be taken in by the lungs)
- Increase oxygen saturation of red blood cells thereby increasing the amount of oxygen delivered to every cell in your body
- Reduces ear fullness, nasal obstruction and rhinorrhea (chronic runny nose) – all symptoms of those suffering from chronic rhinitis
- Improves antioxidant concentration in the respiratory tract and thus decreases oxidant induced damage to lung tissue
- Decreases smoking induced damage to lung tissue
What is a treatment like?
The treatment takes between 10 and 15 minutes. During the treatment, patients take in slow deep breaths of a cool mist through a small mask placed over their mouth and nose. The glutathione has a mild sulphurous smell, and the treatment itself is painless. In severe cases, 2 – 3 treatments per week for 4 weeks is sufficient to improve pulmonary function. At this point the dosing is decreased to 1 treatment per week for 3-4 weeks. Milder cases typically require fewer treatments per week.
Articles on Nebulized Glutathione
Prousky, J. The Treatment of Pulmonary Diseases and Respiratory Related Conditions with Inhaled (Nebulized or Aerosolized) Glutathione. 2007. eCam
Bagnato et al. Effect of inhaled glutathione on airway response to “Fog” challenge in asthmatic patients. 1999, Respiration, 66(6):518-521.
Bishop, C et al. A pilot study of the effect of inhaled buffered reduced glutathione on the clinical status of patients with cystic fibrosis. 2005, Chest. 127(1): 308-317.
Lamson, DW and Bringnall MS, The use of nebulized glutathione in the treatment of emphysema: a case report. 2000 Alternative Medicine Review. 5(5):429-31.
Bernoria S et al. Glutathione in Bronchial Hyperresponsiveness. 1996. Journal of Aerosol Medicine 9:2, 207-213.
