When you think of bodybuilding supplements, you probably think of pre-workouts, protein, and maybe Creatine. Most likely, you never think of L-Glutathione. Known as the “master antioxidant, it definitely should be on your radar. In this edition of Ingredient Spotlight, we will take a closer look at this powerful compound.

What Is L-Glutathione?

L-Glutathione is a potent whole-body antioxidant that consists of glutamine, glycine, and cysteine. Levels of this powerful antioxidant are affected by age, stress, poor nutrition, and environmental toxins. That means taking a supplement that contains l-glutathione can help maintain normal levels.⁽¹⁾

The Benefits Of L-Glutathione

L-Glutathione provides many important benefits, including:

• Combats Oxidative Stress
• Supports Immune Health & Function
• Fights Free Radicals
• Supports Tissue Rebuilding & Repair
• Involved In Protein Production In The Body
• Supports The Detox Functions Of The Liver

How L-Glutathione Helps Your Workouts

Often called the “master antioxidant”, you might wonder how L-Glutathione can help your workouts beyond its antioxidant benefits. There have been a few recent studies that have suggested L-Glutathione helps decrease muscular fatigue. It does this by reducing acid buildup in your muscles. It also promotes the metabolism of fat, which supports your fat loss goals and promotes the use of fat as ATP energy for the body.⁽²⁾

There’s also limited research that suggests L-Glutathione plays a role in supporting nitric oxide. It does this by preventing oxidative damage. This benefit helps protect the integrity and ultimately, the effectiveness of nitric oxide.⁽³⁾

What 5% Nutrition Products Contain L-Glutathione

Liver and Organ Defender

Rich Piana caught a glimpse of the future with this product. One of our earlier formulas ( we came out with Liver and Organ Defender in 2015), is the kind of product that really took off since then. This comprehensive product features a 5-complex formula, beginning with Heart Support. There’s also Liver Support, Prostate Support, Kidney Support, and Skin Support. You will find 30 mg of TwinTiger™ L-Glutathione in the Liver Support complex, along with Milk Thistle, and N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC), which happens to be a substrate for L-Glutathione. That means it supports the biosynthesis of L-Glutathione.⁽⁴⁾

Recap

Leave it to 5% Nutrition to develop an innovative product like Liver and Organ Defender. We didn’t have to include L-Glutathione, but knew how important and powerful it really is. Stop by 5% Nutrition today and grab a couple of bottles, and while you’re here, make sure you're stocked up on all your favorite 5% supplements!

References: 

1. Pizzorno J. (2014). Glutathione!. Integrative medicine (Encinitas, Calif.), 13(1), 8–12.
2. Aoi, W., Ogaya, Y., Takami, M., Konishi, T., Sauchi, Y., Park, E. Y., Wada, S., Sato, K., & Higashi, A. (2015). Glutathione supplementation suppresses muscle fatigue induced by prolonged exercise via improved aerobic metabolism. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 12, 7. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-015-0067-x
3. Hwang, P., Morales Marroquín, F. E., Gann, J., Andre, T., McKinley-Barnard, S., Kim, C., Morita, M., & Willoughby, D. S. (2018). Eight weeks of resistance training in conjunction with glutathione and L-Citrulline supplementation increases lean mass and has no adverse effects on blood clinical safety markers in resistance-trained males. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 15(1), 30. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-018-0235-x
4. Kerksick, C., & Willoughby, D. (2005). The antioxidant role of glutathione and N-acetyl-cysteine supplements and exercise-induced oxidative stress. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 2(2), 38–44. https://doi.org/10.1186/1550-2783-2-2-38