Glutathione is a tripeptide (consisting of 3 amino acids joined by peptide bonds). It is a tripeptide composed of the amino acids glutamic acid, cysteine and glycine. It has shown positive preliminary results in several studies of glutathione’s ability to affect levels of reactive oxygen species, which may have implications in the reduction of cancer rates. Dietary glutathione is found in fres and frozen fruits and vegetables, fish and meat. Asparagus, avocado and walnuts are particularly rich dietary sources of glutathione. Antioxidants protect cells from reactive oxygen species such as free radicals and peroxides. Metabolically, glutathione plays a substantial role in the functioning of the body’s immune system. Its antioxidant property makes it vital to white blood cells (lymphocytes) as it allows them to reach their full potential during oxygen-requiring activity of the body’s immune response.

Glutathione is found in two forms, a monomer that is a single molecule of the protein, and a dimmer that is two of the single molecules joined together. The monomer is sometimes called reduced glutathione, while the dimmer is also called oxidized glutathione. The monomer is the active form of glutathione. Oxidized is broken down to the single molecule by an enzyme called glutathione reductase.