Question

Difference between reduced and oxidized glutathione

Answer 1

Glutathione is an antioxidant produced inside of your body. It is used to detoxify unstable molecules known as free radicals. These free radicals have highly reactive electrons that can react with protein, DNA, and membranes to damage your cells. Glutathione is produced in its reduced state so that it can react with free radicals rendering them inactive before they can damage cellular components. To answer your questions...

Reduced glutathione is in the correct form that you would want because it is the "activated form."L-glutathione refers to the types of amino acid components of the molecule. Glutathione is made of 3 amino acids. The body uses the "L" form of amino acids which merely refers to the orientation of the atoms within the amino acids. L-glutathione is therefore what your body produces and has the appropriate stereochemistry to interact with the enzymes that facilitate the reaction of glutathione with free radicals.Reduced glutathione can lighten skin through the inhibition of an enzyme called tyrosinase. This enzyme is responsible for a critical step in the production of melanin, which is the pigment responsible for skin color. By blocking it, you will prevent the production of the pigment. As for lightening, I would say that you would have to supplement for a while to get effects. This is because it is actively preventing the production of new pigment, so the lightening would only be seen after the existing melanin is degraded over time. Hopefully this is helpful