Glow with Glutathione: Summer Festival Support for Skin, Gut & Liver

Glow with Glutathione: Summer Festival Support for Skin, Gut & Liver

Summer is one of the most liberating seasons, a time to really let your hair down and enjoy the sunshine. From weekend getaways and outdoor concerts to full-blown music festivals, it's hard to resist the heady temptations these summer celebrations offer.

What we don’t always consider is that the combination of fast foods, alcohol and late nights will inevitably take their toll on the body, especially your liver, skin and digestion. But all that fun needn’t totally sabotage your health if you put in place a clever strategy to counter the negative effects of overindulgence.

The Demands of Festival Living

Sunshine is a welcome mood lifter, but it has its downsides. Too much ultraviolet (UV) exposure is known to generate free radicals that can damage skin cells and contribute to the appearance of pigmentation and ageing.¹ At the same time, sugar-laden foods, alcohol, and minimal sleep (typical festival scenarios) may temporarily disrupt gut function and place additional burden on your liver.² These stressors can increase the body’s need for antioxidant support and nutrient replenishment. Enter: Glutathione, often referred to by nutrition experts as the master defender - this vital nutrient could also be thought of as a rescue remedy and may be the key to a successful summer season without the post-festival fallout.

What Is Glutathione?

Glutathione (GSH) is a small tripeptide made from three amino acids: cysteine, glutamine, and glycine. It’s a naturally occurring substance produced in the liver and found in almost every cell of the body. Glutathione works inside cells to help maintain a stable environment, supporting their day-to-day functions.

It also plays a role in managing reactive oxygen species, unstable molecules produced during routine metabolic activity, such as energy production.³ Although the body can produce its own glutathione, levels may be influenced by diet, stress, alcohol intake, and environmental exposures.⁴

In addition, glutathione interacts with antioxidants like vitamins C and E, contributing to the recycling of these important nutrients.⁵ It also participates in various cellular activities, including those related to the metabolism of different chemical substances.

Glutathione, Skin Health, and Pigmentation

Spending long hours in the sun at festivals can sometimes lead to uneven skin tone, age spots, or hyperpigmentation. While covering up or reapplying sunscreen regularly is ideal, it’s not always realistic, especially in sweltering heat and tightly packed crowds. Loading up on antioxidant-rich fruit and vegetables may help, but isn’t always festival-friendly. A simple, portable solution is a highly bioavailable supplement like glutathione, which is easy to take on the go.

Glutathione has been studied for its role in the body’s natural melanin production processes, which influence skin pigmentation. For example, a 2017 clinical study in healthy women found that oral glutathione supplementation was associated with a measurable reduction in melanin levels in certain areas of the skin. Researchers suggested this may be linked to glutathione’s involvement in pathways that regulate melanin, although results can vary from person to person.⁶

Gut–Liver Axis: The Festival Fallout

The gut and liver form an interconnected system. The liver helps process nutrients and filter waste, while the gut acts as both a barrier and a dedicated environment for nutrient absorption. When either is under pressure, from dietary choices, alcohol, or poor sleep, the other may be affected.

Oxidative stress and inflammation in the liver can disrupt the normal functioning of gut barrier cells, while imbalances in the gut microbiome can lead to the production of toxic compounds that are sent to the liver for processing.⁷ Supporting this axis with a balanced diet, hydration, and antioxidant nutrients can help maintain harmony.

Festival Food

While a nutritious, balanced meal might be hard to find at a festival, packing easy-to-carry snacks like nuts, seeds, dried fruit, or wholegrain crackers can provide essential nutrients and fibre to support gut health. Where takeaways are available, opt for vegetarian meals that include antioxidant-rich foods. Choose from the following to maximise a good range of antioxidants:

• Spinach – Glutathione, vitamin C, lutein, zeaxanthin
• Avocado – Glutathione, carotenoids, vitamin E,
• Broccoli – Glutathione, vitamin C, sulforaphane
• Eggs – Cysteine, vitamins A, E, zinc & selenium
• Strawberries & blueberries – Vitamin C, ellagic acid, flavonoids
• Sweet potatoes – vitamin A, vitamin C
• Tomatoes – Lycopene, vitamin C
• Dark chocolate (70%+) – Flavanols, polyphenols

Glutathione On the Go

ACG glutathione Extra Strength Spray provides an easy, fast way to top up your glutathione levels. Its spray format allows for direct administration into the mouth and makes it simple to adjust the dose to suit individual needs. The formula combines several naturally occurring nutrients that complement the actions of glutathione:

• L-Glutathione (Reduced): the active form used by the body
• N-Acetyl L-Cysteine: contributes to normal glutathione synthesis
• R-Lipoic Acid: naturally occurring compound involved in energy metabolism in cells
• L-Carnitine: helps transport fatty acids within cells
• L-Glutamine: an amino acid that contributes to protein building
• Vitamin C: contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress

With its convenient spray format, adjustable dosing, and combination of supportive nutrients, RNA Results GSH spray offers practical, flexible support for daily use

Nutritional Support During the Summer Rush

As with all supplements, glutathione should be used to complement, not replace, a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. Staying hydrated, prioritising whole foods, and limiting alcohol intake where possible are still the most impactful ways to support your skin and digestion. But if you’re looking for additional support during festival season, a well-formulated glutathione supplement, particularly one using a spray delivery, may be a helpful part of your routine.

Written by: Jacqueline Newson BSc (Hons) Nutritional Therapy

References

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2. Lieber, C.S. (1997). Ethanol metabolism, cirrhosis and alcoholism. Clinical Chimica Acta, 257(1), 59–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0009-8981(96)06457-4

3. Lu, S.C. (2013). Glutathione synthesis. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - General Subjects, 1830(5), 3143–3153. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbagen.2012.09.008

4. Richie, J.P., et al. (1996). Glutathione: a key to antioxidant defense and the detoxification of xenobiotics. Nutrition, 12(5), 328–335.

5. Jones, D.P. (2006). Redefining oxidative stress. Antioxidants & Redox Signaling, 8(9–10), 1865–1879. https://doi.org/10.1089/ars.2006.8.1865

6. Weschawalit, S., et al. (2017). Glutathione and its antiaging and antimelanogenic effects. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 10, 147–153. https://doi.org/10.2147/CCID.S137544

7. Albillos, A., de Gottardi, A., & Rescigno, M. (2020). The gut-liver axis in liver disease: Pathophysiological basis for therapy. Journal of Hepatology, 72(3), 558–577. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhep.2019.10.003

8. Serini, S., et al. (2021). Liposomal delivery of natural antioxidants: An overview. Antioxidants, 10(4), 527. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox10040527

9. Allen, J., et al. (2017). Oral glutathione supplementation increases body stores of glutathione in healthy adults: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. European Journal of Nutrition, 56(1), 479–490. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-015-1083-y