Glutathione (GSH) is a tripeptide composed of three amino acids — glutamine, cysteine, and glycine — and it is produced naturally in every cell of the human body. It serves as the body's primary endogenous antioxidant, neutralizing free radicals, supporting immune function, and facilitating the detoxification of harmful compounds in the liver. A foundational review published in The Journal of Nutrition described glutathione as "a major antioxidant" whose "de novo and salvage synthesis is essential for cellular protection against oxidative stress."[1]
Why Depletion Matters
Glutathione levels decline with age, chronic stress, poor nutrition, environmental toxin exposure, and certain medications. When GSH is depleted, cells become more vulnerable to oxidative damage — a process implicated in accelerated aging, reduced immune resilience, skin dullness, and impaired detoxification capacity. Replenishing glutathione is therefore not a cosmetic concern alone; it is a foundational aspect of cellular health maintenance.
The Research on Glutathione and Skin Health
A 2017 randomized controlled trial published in Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology found that glutathione supplementation in middle-aged women resulted in "a significant reduction in wrinkles compared with those in the placebo group" and "an improvement of skin elasticity."[2] A 2020 review in Dermatology Research and Practice corroborated these findings, noting that glutathione "may improve skin elasticity and reduce skin wrinkles" in addition to its well-documented effects on skin tone.[3]
Why IV Delivery Produces Different Results
Oral glutathione supplementation faces a significant challenge: glutathione is broken down in the gastrointestinal tract before it can be absorbed intact. The body must then reassemble it from its component amino acids — a process that is inefficient and highly variable depending on individual digestive health. Intravenous delivery bypasses this entirely, placing intact glutathione directly into the bloodstream where it is immediately available to cells.
A 2025 review in Cureus noted that intravenous glutathione, particularly when combined with vitamin C, "can significantly support skin health by promoting collagen synthesis, reducing oxidative damage, and offering anti-aging benefits."[4] The combination of glutathione and vitamin C is a common pairing in IV therapy because vitamin C helps regenerate oxidized glutathione back to its active form, extending its antioxidant activity.
At Nectar Wellness
Our Glutathione IV is available as a standalone infusion or as an add-on to any of our other IV therapies. It is a popular choice for clients focused on skin health, detoxification support, immune resilience, and general antioxidant replenishment. As with all our infusions, it is prepared to clinical standards and administered by our licensed registered nurses.
"Glutathione (GSH) is a major antioxidant, and its de novo and salvage synthesis is essential for cellular protection against oxidative stress." — Wu et al., The Journal of Nutrition, 2004