Nutraceuticals World (NW): Antioxidant is a common and broad term. Do people recognize or understand what glutathione is specifically?
 
Danielle Citrolo, Vice President of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs, Kyowa Hakko, USA: “Antioxidant” has certainly become something of a household term, but glutathione is gaining recognition and awareness among consumers and supplement manufacturers. While glutathione has recently become more popular in the U.S., it has been well-recognized and utilized in Southeast Asia for decades.
 
By simply looking at consumer internet search data, we can see a growing interest in glutathione. Over the past 5 years, there has been a steady increase in searches related to this ingredient which suggests that people are actively seeking information about glutathione and its health benefits.
 

NW: What factors impact a person’s glutathione levels? What populations may benefit most from supplementation?
 
Citrolo: Glutathione is an essential component for maintaining a healthy immune system. Therefore, supplements containing glutathione can be beneficial for anyone. However, there are millions of Americans who may be at risk of having reduced levels of glutathione due to certain dietary, lifestyle, or physical factors. These factors include tobacco and alcohol consumption, poor diet, low levels of physical activity, being overweight, and individuals who are over 55 years old.
 
Cellular metabolism involves the chemical breakdown of oxygen molecules. This reaction causes the production of unstable molecules called free radicals. Additionally, diet, exercise, medications, and exposure to radiation, pollution, or tobacco smoke can also cause free radical levels to rise. If left un-neutralized, free radicals accumulate in the body and cause oxidative stress, a type of cell damage that can harm DNA, proteins, and other vital molecules.


Glutathione helps to fortify the immune system by supporting T-cell lymphocyte (white blood cell) function, and recent evidence shows that glutathione stimulates the production and activity of natural killer (NK) cells. Both of these cells play an active role in the neutralization of free radicals in the body. Daily glutathione supplementation, along with a healthy lifestyle, has been shown to boost glutathione levels in the body.
 
Clinical studies suggest that Setria^®, a patented glutathione made by Kyowa Hakko, is effective for raising glutathione blood levels.

NW: What kind of formulations and formats can Setria^® be applied? Is it possible to add amounts of Setria^® to RTD beverages that match the clinical data?
 
Citrolo: While Setria^® cannot be incorporated into ready-to-drink (RTD) formulations, it can be used in almost any other format, including ready-to-mix (RTM) powders, capsules, gummies, and topical applications.
 

NW: What’s the benefit of formulating with a branded form of glutathione?

Citrolo: Kyowa Hakko’s patented fermentation technology sets Setria^® Glutathione apart from other glutathione ingredients available in the market. Setria^® is a pure and safe material, with an assay value ranging from 99.0% to 101.0%. It contains no additives, artificial flavors, or preservatives, making it vegetarian-friendly.
 
Studies have shown that taking 1,000 mg/day of Setria^® can lead to a 30% increase in whole blood, a 35% increase in red blood cells, and a 260% increase in buccal cells glutathione levels, all without adversely affecting the body’s normal production of glutathione.