Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Glutathione is an important endogenous antioxidant, and there is some scientific rationale for its use in the context of alcoholism and alcohol-induced liver injury. Chronic alcohol consumption depletes hepatic glutathione stores, leading to increased oxidative stress and liver damage. Some preclinical studies and small clinical trials have investigated glutathione supplementation (or its precursor, N-acetylcysteine) to mitigate alcohol-induced oxidative liver injury. Glutathione’s role in detoxifying acetaldehyde (a toxic metabolite of alcohol) is also well established mechanistically.

However, the evidence for glutathione supplementation as a treatment for alcoholism itself—meaning to reduce alcohol craving, dependence, or prevent relapse—is very limited. Most studies focus on liver protection rather than on treating the psychological or behavioral aspects of alcohol use disorder. Some small studies have shown improvements in liver function markers with glutathione or its precursors, but robust, large-scale clinical trials in humans are lacking.

In summary, scientific evidence supports a mechanistic role for glutathione in protecting the liver from alcohol-induced oxidative stress, but there is insufficient clinical evidence to support its use as a primary treatment for alcoholism. The current evidence base rates around 2 out of 5—promising but inconclusive and primarily limited to adjunctive liver protection rather than direct treatment of alcohol dependence.

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