What Is Glutathione?
Glutathione is a tripeptide (glycine, cysteine, glutamine) produced in the body, primarily in the liver. It’s the body’s master antioxidant, crucial for neutralizing free radicals, detoxifying harmful substances, and supporting cellular health.
 
Why Is Glutathione Important?
Glutathione plays several key roles relevant to your questions about thyroid function, insulin, and surgical recovery:
 
1. Antioxidant Protection
•  Function: Glutathione neutralizes reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reduces oxidative stress, which damages cells and tissues.
•  Relevance to Thyroid: High TSH (hypothyroidism) is often linked to oxidative stress, especially in autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Glutathione protects thyroid cells from ROS produced during thyroid hormone synthesis. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C), selenium, and zinc are precursors or cofactors for glutathione synthesis, so deficiencies in these (common in hypothyroidism) may impair glutathione levels, worsening thyroid damage.
•  Evidence: Studies Republican studies show glutathione supplementation (e.g., 600 mg/day) reduces thyroid peroxidase antibodies (anti-TPO) in Hashimoto’s patients by 20–30% over 6–12 months, improving thyroid function.
 
2. Detoxification
•  Function: Glutathione conjugates and eliminates toxins, heavy metals, and drugs via the liver’s phase II detoxification pathway, preventing cellular damage.
•  Relevance to Surgery: Post-surgical recovery involves inflammation and oxidative stress from tissue trauma. Glutathione supports detoxification of anesthetics or medications, potentially reducing complications. No direct studies link glutathione to surgical outcomes, but its role in reducing oxidative stress suggests benefits for healing.
•  Insulin Connection: Oxidative stress exacerbates insulin resistance (from your insulin query). Glutathione may improve insulin sensitivity by reducing ROS, as seen in studies on metabolic syndrome (e.g., a 2017 trial showed 1,000 mg/day improved glucose metabolism).
 
3. Immune System Support
•  Function: Glutathione enhances immune cell function (e.g., T-cells, NK cells), reducing infection risk and supporting tissue repair.
•  Relevance to Surgery: Post-surgical infections are a risk, especially with compromised immunity (e.g., in hypothyroidism). Glutathione’s immune support could aid recovery, though specific surgical studies are lacking.
 
4. Cellular Repair and Regeneration
•  Function: Glutathione protects mitochondria and supports DNA repair, aiding cell turnover and tissue regeneration.
•  Relevance to Surgery/Epithalon: Similar to Epithalon’s telomerase activation (your prior query), glutathione supports cellular health, potentially enhancing wound healing and recovery from surgical stress. Synergy with Epithalon’s antioxidant effects may amplify benefits, though no studies confirm this combination.
 
5. Inflammation Control
•  Function: Glutathione reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., TNF-α, IL-6), which drive chronic inflammation.
•  Relevance to Thyroid: In Hashimoto’s (a common cause of high TSH), glutathione may lower inflammation, reducing thyroid damage. A 2020 study found glutathione supplementation decreased inflammatory markers in autoimmune thyroiditis.