What is L-Glutathione?
L-glutathione is the biologically active form of glutathione and is something that your body naturally uses. It’s most commonly sold as tablets, capsules or powders in oral supplements. It too is a tripeptide and contains:
- Glutamine: which supports muscle health and immune function
- Cysteine: which provides the sulphur groups essential for detoxification
- Glycine: which plays an important role in collagen metabolism and neurotransmission
The benefits are clear, but it does come with a catch. When you take L-glutathione orally, a lot of it gets broken down by enzymes in the digestive tract before it reaches your bloodstream. This means the amount that actually gets into your cells can vary, which is where you need it the most. That’s not to say that L-glutathione is pointless. Many people still experience a mild antioxidant support, especially if taken consistently and at higher doses. But for those with targeted needs, absorption may be limited.
What is Liposomal Glutathione?
Liposomal glutathione is the same as the L-glutathione molecule, but it is delivered in a more advanced way. In this instance, glutathione is encapsulated inside microscopic fat-like spheres called liposomes. These liposomes act as a protective barrier and shield the glutathione from stomach acid and digestive enzymes. This means that when they pass through the digestive tract, they fuse with cell membranes made of similar fats and then release glutathione directly into the cells.
The best thing about liposomal delivery is that:
- Absorption is boosted
- Cellular delivery is improved
- Effects are more consistent (as higher bioavailability means you might notice results faster)
- The required dose is lower (as more glutathione is reaching your cells)
Liposomal glutathione often comes as a soft get or liquid and as a result of the manufacturing process typically being more complex, it usually costs more compared to standard L-glutathione supplements.
L-Glutathione vs Liposomal Glutathione
Wondering ‘is liposomal glutathione better?’ While the core molecule is identical, there are a few differences to be aware of:
Absorption
L-glutathione experiences a level of breakdown before reaching your cells meaning absorption can be low when taken orally. Liposomal glutathione has a much higher absorption due to lipid encapsulation.
Delivery
L-glutathione traditionally comes in capsule, tablet or powder form whereas liposomal glutathione comes in a lipid-protected soft gel or liquid form.
Effectiveness
L-glutathione is said to offer many benefits but can be less predictable as it can’t be confirmed how much you are ingesting. Liposomal glutathione is more potent and therefore has more consistent results.
Cost
For a more affordable option, L-glutathione is the best option. This is because liposomal glutathione has an advanced formulation and is therefore more expensive. Put simply, while the two contain the same active antioxidant, liposomal technology changes how efficiently it gets into your system.
