Glutathione as an oral whitening agent: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
Arjinpathana N, Asawanonda P
Evidence is still limited and needs further study
Summary
A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 60 healthy medical students taking 500 mg/day of oral glutathione (split dose) for four weeks. Reductions in melanin index were significantly greater than placebo at only two of six measured sites — the right cheek and the sun-exposed left forearm. The authors note that long-term safety has not been established.
Key findings
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Melanin index fell significantly more than placebo at only two of six measured sites
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The remaining four sites showed no significant difference
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Four weeks of supplementation at 500 mg/day
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Participants were healthy medical students — a narrow population
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The authors state that long-term safety has not been established
Related supplements
PR
GlutathioneBlood glutathione rose over six months of supplementation — 30–35% in erythrocytes, plasma and lymphocytes (Richie et al., 2015). A four-week trial at the same dose found no change (Allen & Bradley, 2011)
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