S-acetyl-glutathione supplement, endogenous antioxidant

S-Acetyl Glutathione is a dietary supplement contained reduced glutathione in an acetylated form. This is an innovative form which protects the glutathione from oxidation in the gut, thus maximising its bioavailability and enabling it to pass effectively into the body’s cells.

What is reduced glutathione?

Glutathione is composed of 3 peptides : glutamic acid, cysteine and glycine. It is found at relatively high concentrations in every cell in the body: unlike vitamins, glutathione is synthesised naturally in our cells.

Production declines with age, however, sometimes to the point where levels are too low to properly protect the body.

What is oxidative stress?

Oxygen is essential for life as it helps produce energy in the form of ATP. However, the act of doing so has a downside: it involves the continuous, insidious production of toxic molecules called free radicals or reactive oxygen species (ROS). The body has learnt how to defend itself from these wayward molecules by producing endogenous antioxidants, and by drawing on protective compounds provided by the diet, such as vitamins C and E. Under normal physiological conditions, a balance exists between pro-oxidant ROS and antioxidants which, on the whole, prevents any damage.

When the balance tips in favour of the toxic molecules, however, this referred to as oxidative stress. Such an imbalance can be the result of several factors: stress-induced over-production of free radicals, a lack of exogenous antioxidants in the diet, a failure of internal defence systems, or increased exposure to reactive species (through smoking, alcohol, pollution …)… If it persists, oxidative stress can dramatically affect the body’s principal constituents – cells, fatty acids, proteins (such as DNA), sugars – contributing to the development of chronic health problems (1-2).

What are the benefits of supplementing with acetylated reduced glutathione (S-acetyl glutathione)?

Once glutathione molecules reach the gut, they are surrounded by enzymes called gamma-glutamyl transpeptidases, which convert them into relatively ineffective compounds. Some glutathione molecules escape this fate: they manage to cross the intestinal barrier before the enzymes have had a chance to oxidise them, entering the bloodstream in full operational mode. However, the percentage of these molecules is low, such that large amounts of glutathione need to be ingested in order for supplementation to have any meaningful effect.

One way of ensuring the glutathione remains effective is to bind it to an acetyl group which prevents it from being oxidised by gut enzymes. The acetylated glutathione is able to cross the intestinal barrier and enter cells, before cytoplasmic thiosterases cause it to lose its acetyl group.

It is one of the most effective solutions for increasing serum glutathione levels, along with perlingual administration (applied to the tongue) (perlingual glutathione reaches the bloodstream without passing through the gut, thus avoiding the path of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidases).