Not having enough glutathione present in the body can have dire consequences. A glutathione deficiency can make it really hard for the body to detoxify, cause a buildup of toxins, increase oxidative stress (when there are too many free radicals for the body to counteract), make the body unable to repair DNA, weaken cell membranes and lead to cell mutations, and reduce the amount of nutrients and oxygen that gets to the cells.

This is obviously bad and even worse long-term, so we recommend doing what you can to support healthy glutathione levels—including knowing your risks.

Risk Factors for Low Glutathione Levels

There are many factors that can contribute to low glutathione in the body. Here are some of the biggest and most common ones:

• Smoking
• Drinking alcohol
• Eating foods high in nitrates, such as processed lunch meats
• Having a poor diet, especially for an extended period of time
• Consuming GMO foods and artificial sugars
• Not getting enough regular exercise
• Having a chronic disease
• Regular stress or trauma
• Infections
• Taking certain medications like antibiotics

We often see that when someone is ill, their glutathione levels take even more of a nosedive. Keeping your levels of glutathione stable can assist your immune system in remaining healthy and preventing things like inflammation, fast aging, gut issues like IBS, autoimmune conditions, mood issues, ADHD, and chronic conditions like heart disease, kidney disease, and even cancer.

Who Needs Glutathione?

Everyone can benefit from more glutathione, but it’s especially helpful for those who:

• Eat a poor diet or have had a poor diet for a long period of time
• Don’t or aren’t able to get regular exercise
• Have a chronic disease or serious condition that impacts your cells and how your body fights free radicals
• Takes prescription medications, including antibiotics
• Experiences regular irritability, low mood, or aches and pains
• Even when we feel like we’re living a pretty healthy lifestyle, our bodies can still have trouble keeping up. The toxins in our modern environment, as well as daily stress from work and life, take their toll over time.

If you often aren’t feeling your best, especially in the morning or at night, or if you struggle with low energy and fatigue or lack of focus at work, you might be lacking in glutathione.