• Digestion: People without enough glutathione may have problems digesting food properly, leading to weight loss or failure to thrive. Glutathione supplements have been shown to help people with AIDS to better digest food and reverse weight loss. Similarly, people with cystic fibrosis often have weight loss due to malabsorption of nutrients, along with intestinal inflammation. A study found that children with glutathione deficiency who took a supplement experienced less inflammation and better growth.
  • Weight management: Older people have a reduced ability to produce glutathione naturally, which can lead to a reduced ability to burn fat, as well as weight gain. One study in mice found that correcting a glutathione deficiency helped the mice burn fat better and reduced their risk of diabetes. The researchers found a similar effect in humans, though they say more study is needed.
  • Peripheral artery disease pain symptoms: A study found that an intravenous glutathione supplement helped ease pain in people who had decreased blood flow to their legs due to vascular disease. These people had previously experienced calf pain while walking, but with twice-daily IV glutathione treatment, they could walk farther without pain. However, for most healthy people, the free radicals created by exercise are neutralized by a higher production of antioxidants in their body.
  • Anticancer effects: Some studies have shown that glutathione’s neutralization of free radicals may have anticancer and anti-tumor effects. Researchers note that a glutathione supplement is not meant to replace standard chemotherapy treatment for cancer, but it is an antioxidant that needs more study for its potential anticancer effects. Be sure to talk to your doctor before adding a supplement to your diet if you’re undergoing cancer treatment.
  • Skin properties: A study showed that taking a low-dose glutathione supplement may help reduce the appearance of wrinkles. It may also have a skin-lightening effect. Researchers in this study suggested glutathione may have an antiaging agent.