Turning back the clock isn’t possible – but if you want to address fine lines and wrinkles, you could try glutathione IV therapy from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre (TFMC). 

As a potent antioxidant, glutathione (GSH) is a type of peptide (a tripeptide) made up of three amino acids: glycine, cystine, and glutamic acid. It carries a wide range of roles in the human body, such as these: 

• Fosters immune health
• Helps replenish vitamin C and vitamin E levels
• Pushes for the detoxification of free radicals and toxins
• Promotes the optimal functioning of enzymes
• Helps create healthy sperm cells for fertility purposes

Studies have suggested that a lack of glutathione may have a critical role in the aging process, especially with longevity. “Various chronic, age-related diseases such as those related to neurodegeneration, mitochondrial dysfunction, and even cancer, have been related to suboptimal or deficient glutathione levels,” confirms a Nutrients review. 

So how could this powerful antioxidant work as an anti-aging tool for your skin? Here, the TFMC’s vitamin IV Lounge discusses GSH’s role in skin care, getting it as an intravenous drip, and how we cater to your health goals and optimal function. 

Glutathione and its impact on skin care

Glutathione may be depleted in the body from chronic conditions (especially chronic stress), autoimmune conditions, viral illness/infections, pollution, and consuming an unhealthy diet. 

Additionally, age-related conditions can cause a GSH decline; this can trigger various effects, including poor cellular health, lack of energy, low immune function, and brain fog. A lack of glutathione can affect your overall skin health, too. With low levels, you have a risk of building additional oxidative damage, which can contribute to wrinkles and poor skin elasticity. 

So how could glutathione potentially offer beneficial effects on skin health? Here are some ways: 

• Encourages toxin removal: According to an article from Integrative Medicine: A Clinician’s Journal, GSH “… deals directly with the causes of oxidative stress such as mercury and POPs [persistent organic pollutants].” Oxidative stress plays a role in the skin aging process, sometimes triggering an uneven complexion/skin tone. But GSH has the moniker “master antioxidant” because it can prevent cellular damage by detoxifying free radicals. Free radicals, which are harmful atoms from the environment, can cause oxidative stress. 
• Helps with replenishing skin hydration: Free radicals can also impede collagen production, which can weaken your skin’s setup of enzymatic antioxidants. It’s been insinuated that this weakening can prevent hyaluronic acid from holding moisture in, which can cause wrinkles in the dermis. Glutathione’s detoxifying role can support the rehydration of fluids by making up for antioxidant shortcomings.  
• May promote skin brightening: If you have dark spots from sun damage, GSH could help lighten the skin tone. In one study, it was shown that taking oral supplementation with glutathione for four weeks resulted in reduced skin pigmentation. An article from the Clinical Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology further notes, “Also of importance are the findings that … glutathione showed trends in increased skin elasticity at various sites, both sun-exposed and sun-protected skin.”

How it works as IV nutrient therapy

In our IV Lounge, intravenous therapy is given as adjunct support. IV vitamin therapy drips are designed to provide a patient with a complete absorption of nutrients. This is because an intravenous tube is inserted into your vein, which allows for a formula with therapeutic doses of nutrients to be immediately used. IV formulations may work swiftly because the digestive tract isn’t required for filtration; IV therapy does not involve any oral administration, as it enters your bloodstream only. IV therapy may be a good option for people with malabsorption issues.

In our clinic, glutathione may be given as an IV drip. But prior to your first IV vitamin drip therapy, a complete diagnostic session with our functional medicine healthcare provider is mandatory. This is to: a) rule out underlying issues; b) determine if you have allergies related to the IV solutions; and c) understand the core components of your health, which may include conducting lab tests. Once we have a thorough comprehension of your wellness, we tailor your treatments with adjunct glutathione IV for your skin health goals. 

Oral supplementation is available as liposomal glutathione, though IV therapy treatments assure you get a complete absorption of nutrients. Oral glutathione is inefficiently absorbed, and therapeutic approaches that only use oral supplements tend to struggle with achieving results. The oral route could also hinder digestive health with unwanted side effects (i.e. nausea, diarrhea). 

Overall, know this: you have the potential to upgrade your health – it’s a matter of identifying strategies that may fit your needs. If you want to promote healthy hair, skin, and nails, please book a consultation with us. Learn about our clinic below. 

Visiting our IV Lounge in Toronto

At the TFMC, our functional medicine and IV therapy providers tailor treatments for various health conditions, especially those linked to immune and cognitive function, sports performance, chronic fatigue syndrome, muscle recovery, cellular damage, hormonal imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, stress management, chronic inflammation, support for blood pressure regulation, liver detoxification, and other health concerns.  

Customizing a treatment plan takes careful deliberation. With a touch of compassion and inspiration, our practitioners implement the integrative functional medicine model onto the chief health concerns of patients. What we do is understand your individuality to diagnose and plan treatments; we analyze your past health issues, toxin exposures, lifestyle factors, health goals, and functional medicine lab test results. Once we’ve scrutinized these factors, we customize your health plan to include various modalities, such as naturopathic medicine, conventional/Western medicine, acupuncture, NAD+ IV therapy, hormonal replacement therapy and other therapies. 

Our IV Lounge is available for both new and pre-existing patients. We freshly compound IV drips according to the principles of functional medicine, and sessions are closely monitored by our medical doctor, naturopathic doctor, nurse practitioner, or registered nurses. Feel free to ask about our drip menu! Currently, we have glutathione, folic acid, vitamin C, a medley of amino acids, major antioxidants, folic acid, and other safe ingredients in our Lounge. Vitamin D injections are also available. 

Unlock new ways to promote an anti-aging effect! IV therapy from Toronto could help rally optimal health when merged with lifestyle modifications and a personalized service of health care. Request your initial consultation by clicking here.  

Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. Consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website.

 

References

Bains VK, Bains R. The antioxidant master glutathione and periodontal health. Dent Res J (Isfahan). 2015 Sep-Oct;12(5):389-405. doi: 10.4103/1735-3327.166169. PMID: 26604952; PMCID: PMC4630702.

Chen, J., Liu, Y., Zhao, Z., & Qiu, J. (2021). Oxidative stress in the skin: Impact and related protection. International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 43(5), 495-509. https://doi.org/10.1111/ics.12728

Minich DM, Brown BI. A Review of Dietary (Phyto)Nutrients for Glutathione Support. Nutrients. 2019 Sep 3;11(9):2073. doi: 10.3390/nu11092073. PMID: 31484368; PMCID: PMC6770193.

Pizzorno J. Glutathione! Integr Med (Encinitas). 2014 Feb;13(1):8-12. PMID: 26770075; PMCID: PMC4684116.

Poljšak B, Dahmane R. Free radicals and extrinsic skin aging. Dermatol Res Pract. 2012;2012:135206. doi: 10.1155/2012/135206. Epub 2012 Feb 29. PMID: 22505880; PMCID: PMC3299230.

Richie JP Jr, Leutzinger Y, Parthasarathy S, Malloy V, Orentreich N, Zimmerman JA. Methionine restriction increases blood glutathione and longevity in F344 rats. FASEB J. 1994 Dec;8(15):1302-7. doi: 10.1096/fasebj.8.15.8001743. PMID: 8001743.

Rinnerthaler M, Bischof J, Streubel MK, Trost A, Richter K. Oxidative stress in aging human skin. Biomolecules. 2015 Apr 21;5(2):545-89. doi: 10.3390/biom5020545. PMID: 25906193; PMCID: PMC4496685.

Weschawalit S, Thongthip S, Phutrakool P, Asawanonda P. Glutathione and its antiaging and antimelanogenic effects. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2017 Apr 27;10:147-153. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S128339. PMID: 28490897; PMCID: PMC5413479.