- UPC: 733739001511
- # N0151
NOW Foods Liposomal Glutathione 500 mg (60 Veg Capsules)
Advanced Cellular Bioavailability, Master Antioxidant Defense & Liver Support
Glutathione (GSH) is celebrated throughout human biochemistry as the body’s "master antioxidant." Synthesized inside every living cell, this tripeptide molecule - composed of glutamine, cysteine, and glycine - plays an irreplaceable role in neutralizing reactive oxygen species (ROS), driving Phase II hepatic detoxification, sustaining mitochondrial energy pathways, and maintaining immune vigilance.
Despite its critical importance, standard oral glutathione supplements have historically suffered from poor oral bioavailability. NOW® Foods Liposomal Glutathione 500 mg overcomes this fundamental digestive limitation through advanced LiposoMax™ lipid-bilayer encapsulation, delivering bioactive reduced glutathione directly through the gastrointestinal barrier and into the bloodstream intact.
The Bioavailability Problem: Why Conventional Glutathione Fails
To appreciate the necessity of liposomal delivery, one must understand how the human digestive tract processes unprotected peptide bonds:
- Enzymatic Degradation by GGT: Standard, unencapsulated L-glutathione powder or capsules encounter high concentrations of hydrochloric acid in the stomach and digestive enzymes in the small intestine. Specifically, the brush-border enzyme gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) rapidly cleaves oral glutathione into its component amino acids long before it reaches systemic circulation.
- First-Pass Hepatic Metabolism: Any microscopic fraction that crosses the enterocytes intact is rapidly shunted into the portal vein and cleared by hepatic first-pass metabolism, failing to meaningfully elevate peripheral tissue GSH reserves.
- Cellular Membrane Resistance: Unprotected glutathione molecules are water-soluble (hydrophilic) and require specific active transport mechanisms to cross the lipid-rich membranes of target cells.
The LiposoMax™ Solution: Phospholipid Bilayer Protection
NOW® Foods utilizes LiposoMax™ technology, an advanced encapsulation matrix combining active reduced L-glutathione with a bio-compatible phospholipid bilayer derived from non-GMO sunflower lecithin.
[ Hydrophilic Outer Surface (Aqueous GI Fluid Compatible) ]
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Acid Tails (Rice Bran)
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[ Protected Aqueous Core: 500 mg Active Reduced GSH ]
- Shielded Transit: The microscopic liposome mimics the natural architecture of mammalian cell membranes. This lipid barrier insulates the core glutathione payload against degradation by stomach acid, bile salts, and brush-border proteolytic enzymes.
- Direct Membrane Fusion & Endocytosis: When the liposomal vesicle encounters enterocytes in the intestinal wall, it bypasses restrictive peptide transporter bottlenecks by directly merging with mucosal cellular membranes or absorbing via endocytic pathways.
- Intracellular Delivery: Once absorbed into lymphatic and systemic microcirculation, liposomes fuse directly with target cells (hepatocytes, immune cells, neurons), releasing biologically active reduced glutathione directly where cellular metabolism occurs.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Performance Factor |
Standard Oral Glutathione |
N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) |
NOW® Liposomal Glutathione 500 mg |
| Delivery State |
Free Tripeptide |
Amino Acid Precursor |
Encapsulated Reduced GSH |
| Gastrointestinal Survival |
Cleaved by GGT enzymes |
Absorbed, requires hepatic synthesis |
Shielded inside phospholipid vesicle |
| Direct Intracellular Uptake |
Negligible systemic impact |
Rate-limited by enzyme kinetics |
Direct cellular membrane fusion |
| Rate-Limiting Factors |
Severe enzymatic degradation |
Dependent on cystine pool & age |
None (provides ready-to-use GSH) |
| Digestive Comfort |
Can cause gastrointestinal distress |
Can irritate stomach lining |
Gentle on stomach; non-irritating |
4 Proven Health Benefits of NOW® Liposomal Glutathione
1. Supports Phase II Hepatic Detoxification
The human liver relies on a two-step sequence to process environmental xenobiotics, heavy metals, industrial metabolites, and pharmaceutical residues. In Phase II conjugation, the enzyme glutathione S-transferase (GST) binds reduced glutathione directly to toxic compounds. This conjugation transforms fat-soluble toxins into harmless, water-soluble mercapturic acids that are easily excreted via bile or urine. NOW® Liposomal Glutathione replenishes the precise metabolic substrate required to prevent Phase II pathway saturation.
2. Master Antioxidant Recycling & Radical Scavenging
Unlike single-action antioxidants, reduced glutathione operates at the core of the cellular redox cycle. As GSH donates electrons to neutralize hydroxyl radicals, singlet oxygen, and lipid peroxides, it regenerates oxidized Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) back into their active antioxidant states. Once oxidized into glutathione disulfide (GSSG), the enzyme glutathione reductase works in tandem with NADPH to recycle it back into reduced GSH.
3. Mitochondrial Protection & Cellular Energy Output
Mitochondria generate over 90% of the body's ATP through the electron transport chain—a process that naturally generates substantial reactive oxygen byproducts. Because mitochondria lack the enzymes needed to synthesize glutathione internally, they depend entirely on translocating cytosolic GSH across their membranes. Liposomal delivery supports optimal mitochondrial membrane integrity, shielding delicate mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and inner-membrane transport proteins against premature oxidative degradation.
4. Immune Cell Proliferation & Longevity
Optimal immune defense relies heavily on the proliferation rate of T-lymphocytes and Natural Killer (NK) cells. Cellular studies show that declining intracellular glutathione concentrations inhibit lymphocyte DNA synthesis and blunt cytokine signaling. By maintaining balanced intracellular redox levels, liposomal glutathione promotes normal lymphocyte proliferation and cellular defense responses.
Supplement Facts & Clean Formulation Profile
Serving Size: 2 Veg Capsules
Servings Per Container: 30
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Amount Per Serving % Daily Value
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Glutathione (Reduced Form) 500 mg **
[from Liposomal Glutathione (LiposoMax™+Glutathione)]
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** Daily Value not established.
- Other Ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Hypromellose (cellulose capsule), Phospholipids (from sunflower lecithin), Fatty Acids (from rice bran oil), Magnesium Stearate (vegetable source), Stearic Acid (vegetable source), and Silicon Dioxide.
- Allergen Status: Not manufactured with wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nut, or sesame ingredients. Produced in a GMP facility that processes other ingredients containing these allergens.
- Formulation Highlights: Soy-Free, Non-GMO, Vegan/Vegetarian, Encapsulated in 100% Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) resin bottles.
Recommended Usage & Timing Guidelines
- Standard Adult Serving: Take 2 veg capsules daily, preferably on an empty stomach (at least 30 to 45 minutes before a meal, or 2 hours following a meal) with a full 8 oz glass of pure water.
- Empty Stomach Rationale: While the liposomal bilayer protects glutathione from enzymatic breakdown, taking it away from heavy food boluses minimizes competition with dietary lipids and ensures rapid gastric emptying directly into the small intestine for absorption.
- Storage: Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight after opening. Do not refrigerate unless ambient temperatures exceed 80°F (27°C).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What makes liposomal glutathione superior to standard oral glutathione capsules?
Standard oral glutathione supplements are largely broken down in the stomach and small intestine by digestive acid and the enzyme gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT). This splits the tripeptide into individual amino acids before it can reach the bloodstream. NOW® Foods Liposomal Glutathione shields the active molecule inside a microscopic phospholipid sphere, allowing it to navigate the digestive system intact and absorb directly through intestinal membranes into target cells.
2. What is LiposoMax™ technology?
LiposoMax™ is a clinically developed lipid encapsulation system engineered by One Innovation Labs. It binds pure reduced L-glutathione inside non-GMO sunflower-derived phospholipids and rice bran fatty acids. This creates a stable bilayer vesicle that mirrors human cellular membranes, dramatically improving bioavailability without the use of synthetic detergents or soy-based carriers.
3. How does liposomal glutathione support liver function and detox pathways?
The liver processes environmental chemicals, metabolic waste, and foreign compounds through Phase I and Phase II detoxification pathways. In Phase II conjugation, the liver uses reduced glutathione as an essential binding partner. The enzyme glutathione S-transferase attaches glutathione to toxins, rendering them water-soluble so they can be safely excreted through bile and the kidneys.
4. What is the recommended dosage for NOW Liposomal Glutathione?
The standard adult serving is two (2) vegetarian capsules once daily, which delivers 500 mg of pure reduced glutathione within the LiposoMax™ matrix. Always follow the guidance of your healthcare provider if you are using glutathione as part of a targeted clinical protocol.
5. When is the best time of day to take liposomal glutathione?
For optimal absorption, take liposomal glutathione first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, approximately 30 to 45 minutes before breakfast. Alternatively, it can be taken between meals or right before bed, provided your stomach has emptied.
6. Can I take liposomal glutathione alongside N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) or Vitamin C?
Yes. Liposomal glutathione pairs synergistically with both N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) and Vitamin C. While NAC supplies intracellular cysteine to support natural endogenous glutathione production, liposomal glutathione provides an immediate, ready-to-use supply of the complete reduced molecule. Vitamin C works alongside glutathione in the cellular antioxidant cascade, with glutathione actively regenerating oxidized Vitamin C back into its active form.
7. Does NOW Foods Liposomal Glutathione contain soy or common allergens?
No. NOW® Foods utilizes sunflower lecithin to source its phospholipid matrix, making this formulation completely soy-free. It is also formulated without wheat, gluten, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, or sesame, and is suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets.
8. Does this supplement cause stomach upset or digestive discomfort?
Liposomal glutathione is typically very gentle on the gastrointestinal tract. Unlike standard high-dose oral glutathione, which can cause sulfurous burping, nausea, or abdominal cramping in sensitive individuals, the protective phospholipid carrier prevents localized gastric irritation.
9. How quickly does liposomal glutathione begin working in the body?
Because the liposomal vesicles absorb rapidly across the intestinal lining, cellular delivery begins within hours of ingestion. However, replenishing deep tissue reserves, supporting optimal liver detoxification pathways, and experiencing noticeable improvements in cellular stamina typically require consistent daily supplementation for 2 to 4 weeks.
10. Are there any safety precautions or contraindications for this product?
This product is intended for adults. Individuals who are pregnant, nursing, taking prescription medications (especially chemotherapeutic agents), or diagnosed with an existing medical condition should consult their physician before starting supplementation. Keep out of reach of children.
Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Supplement Facts
| Serving Size: |
2 Veg Capsules |
| Servings Per Container: |
30 |
| Description |
Amount per Serving |
% Daily Value |
| Glutathione (Reduced Form) [from Liposomal Glutathione (LiposoMax™+Glutathione)] |
500 mg |
|
Other Ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Hypromellose (cellulose capsule), Phospholipids (from sunflower lecithin), Fatty Acids (from rice bran oil), Magnesium Stearate (vegetable source), Stearic Acid (vegetable source) and Silicon Dioxide.
Not manufactured with wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nut or sesame ingredients. Produced in a GMP facility that processes other ingredients containing these allergens.
Caution: For adults only. Consult physician if pregnant/nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition. Keep out of reach of children.
LiposoMax™ and LiposoMax™ logo are marks of One Innovation Labs, LLC in the U.S. and/or other countries.
Natural color variation may occur in this product.
Made and quality tested in the USA with globally sourced ingredients.
Store in a cool, dry place after opening.
Family and Employee Owned
This bottle is made from 100% PCR (post-consumer recycled) resin.
