'Fruits, veggies can boost glutathione levels'

Manila, Philippines - Some fruits and vegetables can enhance glutathione levels in the body, a Department of Health (DOH) consultant said yesterday.

Dr. Willie Ong said avocado, watermelon, tomato, spinach and broccoli “are rich in (substances like) lycopene. Since they can help the body produce glutathione, it is possible (that they can whiten the skin).”

Last Thursday, the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) issued an advisory that injectable glutathione used as skin whitener is not approved by the agency because of potentially lethal effects.

The FDA warned that injectable glutathione is “unsafe and may result in serious consequences to the health of users” if administered “at a very high dose.”

In a press briefing yesterday, FDA director Dr. Suzette Lazo said injectable glutathione could be used in some cancer cases in limited doses and under the strict guidance of doctors, but not to whiten the skin.

Glutathione was originally intended as an antioxidant but users discovered that it has skin whitening effect. This resulted in the manufacture of soaps, creams and pills supposedly containing glutathione.

Lazo added that oral glutathione is approved by the FDA as a supplement.

“The injectable glutathione is injected straight into systemic circulation. Pills have wider safety margins since they are digested in the stomach. Only a small portion is left,” she maintained.

The official assured that those who may want to stop using injectable glutathione need not worry about “withdrawal symptoms” because there is none.