Acetyl-l-glutathione
At a glance
- Best for
- people wanting to raise glutathione status with an oral form
- Typical dose
- 100–300 mg/day
- Time to effect
- Weeks for glutathione levels
- Main caution
- evidence is limited and centered on raising a biomarker, not on clinical outcomes
What is it
Acetyl-l-glutathione (S-acetyl-glutathione) is a form of the antioxidant glutathione with an acetyl group attached to its sulfur atom, intended to survive digestion better than plain glutathione and raise glutathione levels inside cells. It is marketed as a more bioavailable oral glutathione for antioxidant and 'detox' support.
Is it worth it for you?
Worth considering if…
- you specifically want to raise glutathione levels and prefer an oral form
- you accept that clinical-outcome evidence is sparse
Probably skip if…
- you expect proven treatment of a disease
- you want strong head-to-head proof it beats cheaper options like NAC or liposomal glutathione
- you are swayed by 'detox' marketing rather than data
Evidence at a glance
| Goal | Evidence | Effect | Best fit | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| raising glutathione levels | Limited Evidence | Increase in blood/intracellular glutathione | adults with low glutathione status or high oxidative stress | Weeks |
Evidence for 1 use
AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.
raising glutathione levels
Biomarker supportSmall studies and the acetylated chemistry suggest S-acetyl-glutathione is absorbed more intact than plain glutathione and can raise blood and intracellular glutathione concentrations. The human evidence is limited and focused on glutathione levels and oxidative-stress markers, not on symptom relief or disease outcomes.
Bottom line: It can raise glutathione levels, but a higher biomarker is not the same as a proven health benefit.
How to take it
- Typical dose
- 100–300 mg/day
- Timing
- often taken on an empty stomach
- With food
- manufacturers commonly suggest without food
- How long to try
- Trial several weeks
What to track
- energy and general well-being
- blood glutathione or oxidative-stress markers if measured
Safety
Common side effects
generally well tolerated, occasional GI upset
Who should avoid it
- pregnant or breastfeeding women (insufficient data)
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
Insufficient safety data; avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Choosing a product
Look for
- specifies S-acetyl-glutathione and the dose in mg
- reputable brand with third-party testing
Be skeptical of
- 'detox' or 'cleanse' cure claims
- skin-whitening claims
- claims to treat liver disease, cancer, or autoimmune conditions
References by claim
Track Acetyl-l-glutathione with Pilora
Set up dose reminders, check interactions, and join the community in the Pilora iPhone app.
Coming to App StoreDisclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.