Glutathione

Figure 1. Factors responsible for endogenous glutathione deficiency and the mechanisms through which this deficiency may contribute to COVID-19 pathogenesis and outcomes. The bottom of the figure shows that the risk factors for severe COVID-19 infection are associated with decrease/depletion of intracellular glutathione. The top of the figure shows the potential mechanisms through which glutathione deficiency could influence clinical manifestations and outcomes in COVID-10 disease. The numbers in brackets indicate PubMed references (PMID). SOURCE

AVOID Acetaminophen

Acetaminophen (also known as Paracetamol) depletes glutathione. It is found in many pain, cold, and flu medications. Studies suggest that even standard doses may become toxic if taken at times of illness.

PMID: 19953420 Bacterial- And Viral-Induced Inflammation Increases Sensitivity to Acetaminophen Hepatotoxicity

"Acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity accounts for nearly half of acute liver failure cases in the United States. . . The results suggest that normally noninjurious doses of APAP are rendered hepatotoxic by modest inflammation, whether bacterial or viral in origin."

General Articles & News

Local doctor says COVID-19 patients noticed results with glutathione

HYDE PARK, N.Y. (NEWS10) — "Dr. Richard Horowitz is the Medical Director at the Hudson Valley Healing Arts Center. Over the years, he has seen more than 13,000 Chronic Lyme disease patients.

Recently, he noticed similarities between Lyme and COVID-19. Learning to lower the inflammatory response with Lyme in the past, he’s tried some of the same techniques to help people battling the coronavirus." WATCH NEWS REPORT

New York mom with coronavirus saved by medical-student son’s quick thinking

"A Brooklyn woman desperately ill with the coronavirus is breathing easy this Mother’s Day thanks to a novel treatment her medical-student son helped provide." READ THE ARTICLE.

Glutathione and NAC Reduce the Severity of COVID-19

". . . it makes sense to try glutathione and NAC in the treatment of COVID-19 as a disease modification strategy to promote viral immunity. They may make a critical difference in the outcome of COVID-19 infection." READ THE ARTICLE

Scientific Studies

Glutathione Deficiency Most Likely Cause of Serious COVID-19

". . .glutathione deficiency appears to be a crucial factor enhancing SARS-CoV-2-induced oxidative damage of the lung and, as a result, leads to serious manifestations, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome, multiorgan failure, and death in COVID-19 patients . . . individuals with glutathione deficiency seem to have a higher susceptibility for uncontrolled replication of SARS-CoV-2 virus and thereby suffer from an increasing viral load." READ THE PAPER

Glutathione inhibits viral replication

"In conclusion, GSH‐C4 treatment could be used in the elderly to contrast influenza virus infection by inducing immune response, in particular the Th1 profile." READ THE STUDY.

Therapeutic blockade of inflammation in severe COVID-19 w/IV-NAC

"NAC elicited clinical improvement and markedly reduced CRP in all patients and ferritin in 9/10 patients. NAC mechanism of action may involve the blockade of viral infection and the ensuing cytokine storm that warrant follow-up confirmatory studies in the setting of controlled clinical trials." READ THE STUDY

Efficacy of glutathione therapy in relieving dyspnea with COVID-19

A report of 2 cases found potential for glutathione as therapy for Covid-19 symptoms. READ ABOUT THE CASES.

Bacterial & viral inflammation increases sensitivity to acetaminophen

Taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) will deplete your glutathione. "The results suggest that normally noninjurious doses of APAP are rendered hepatotoxic by modest inflammation, whether bacterial or viral in origin." READ THE STUDY

Novel antiviral inhibits Zika virus infection while increasing glutathione

"These findings identify an efficacious inhibitor, FFAAP, of Zika virus replication in both human and nonhuman primate cells, while providing novel insight into the different roles of intracellular glutathione in Zika virus replication." READ THE STUDY

How to Increase Your Glutathione

Food & Supplements

Precursor supplements: Pro Immune 200, a patented product by Dr. Crum, contains all 3 key amino acids needed
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is the amino acid most critical to replace and is available from many companies as a supplement. Hospitals stock it to treat acetaminophen overdose.
For precursor foods, nutrients, and lifestyle choices that boost glutathione, please see this excellent article by Dr. Hyman: Essential Glutathione: The Mother of All Antioxidants

Along with Glutathione (GSH) building blocks, your immune system needs a particular activator called Nrf2 to increase the release of GSH so that it can be utilized. See Effect of Nrf2 activators on release of glutathione, cysteinylglycine and homocysteine by human U373 astroglial cells. The good news is Sulforaphane (SFN) is a great Nrf2 activator, and SFN precursors are found in abundance in cruciferous vegetables and broccoli sprouts!