Possible benefits of glutathione in the elderly

Glutathione is a very powerful antioxidant created within the body to prevent oxidative damage due to free radicals attacking and destroying cells. With age the amount of glutathione in the body particularly the brain decreases, and could set the stage for age-related health problems, particularly dementia, but also cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer.

Unfortunately glutathione cannot effectively be given as a supplement because it is poorly absorbed, but N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is converted into glutathione, and also helps the body to make more glutathione.
It is difficult in humans to trial this, but in a rather nice study (click here) the authors gave NAC to isolated liver cells in both young and old rats exposed to high levels of oxidants.  N-acetylcysteine was very protective and reduce the amount of damage greater than twofold.

Oxidative stress does appear to be a major cause of disease in today's world; antioxidants taken orally are relatively weak compared to the antioxidants created within the body (glutathione, catalase, superoxide dismutase etc.). The production of the latter tends to be less as we get older, and are frequently overwhelmed by our toxic world. It thus does seem reasonable to suggest that people should take products which could help the creation of these internal antioxidants, such as N-acetylcysteine.