This story was sent to us in 2004, posted here now:

Hello everyone! I have to warn you…this is a long post, but one well worth the read! I received fantastic news about a new form of Glutathione. First, let me give you all the backround. In Nov., my daughter M (3wCF) cultured her first pseudomonas. She was very ill and put on a course of Cipro 30days and Tobi 90days. After 6 weeks had passed, my husband and I became very concerned as M's cough had not subsided, she had very dark circles under her eyes and would have shortness of breath after only taking 4 steps. Although, M's culture was negative after 8 weeks, her symptoms of illness remained. Our doctor offered no explanation, except that maybe it was early signs of asthma. I decided to trust my intuition and seek out a solution.

After reading much about glutathione, (as I'm sure you've all done), I decided to send M's blood to Amscot Labs for a glutathione count. With a normal scale of 200-400, M's plasma glutathione was a 326, but her red blood cell glutathione was a low 136. I spoke to a Dr. Kindness, at Amscot, whom told me this was serious, as it was affecting her oxygen transportation, and needed to be addressed. When I discussed the results with M's pulmonologist at the clinic, she said that they do not administer or consider glutathione levels and handed me a 3 page letter about how the CFF will not support inhaled glutathione until it receives FDA approval. At this point, I went back to Dr. Kindness who was irrate and shocked that M's pulmonologist would not address her extremely low RBC Glutathione levels. He referred me to a Dr. G. in, who was doing cutting edge research on Glutathione.

When I spoke to Dr. G, I learned that he had been studying the delivery mechanism for Glutathione for many years. As some of you may know, Glutathione has been administered for Parkinson's by Dr. Perlmutter via IV and by Dr. Hudson and Dr. Bishop, for CF, via inhaled therapy. However, Dr. G had developed an oral glutathione in a liposome format that he had been using with great success in his own practice, but had no clinical evidence to substantiate his success. I explained to him my grave concern for my daughter and asked him if we could do our own trial with the liposomal Glutathione, since I had baseline results for her. He agreed. M would take 150 mg for 30 days and then we would submit her blood again to Dr. Kindness for evaluation. During the 30 days, we would do clinical observation of her symptoms.

Results: After 6 days, I became discouraged, as I saw no improvement in M's symptoms. I became even more depressed, beginning to believe that M's cough would now be a permanent sound in my household. Then, to my surprise, by the 8th day, M's cough began to taper off, her dark circles faded, and her breathing improved. By the 10th day, all of her symptoms were GONE. She gained back the weight she lost during her bout with pseudomonas and even gained an extra 1.4 lbs! At this point, I took her to another pulmonologist for a second opinion. He did a full blood work- up on M to test for allergies, vitamin deficiencies, liver counts, etc. Previously, M had low vitamin E levels, now they were above average. Her LIVER COUNTS which had been elevated, were now NORMAL: M's liver counts before taking the Liposomal Glutathione were AST (alanine aspartate aminotransferase) 45, after taking the Liposomal Glutathione her levels remained the same at 45. However, for her ALA levels (Alanine Aminotransferase) she had elevated levels recorded at 38 before taking the Liposomal Glutathione. After taking the L. Glutathione, her levels decreased to 27. As you may or may not know, the ALA level is the most sensitive marker for liver damage. Needless to say, I was thrilled with the news that her ALA levels went from elevated to very normal.

And her middle ear infection, which my other pulmonologist said would have to be operated on, was GONE. Needless to say, we were very, very happy.....

Well, last week we received a phone call from Dr. G whom had received the blood results from Dr. Kindness. While M's plasma glutathione had stayed at normal levels, her red blood cell glutathione was at 570! (from 136)!!! It worked! Those of you familiar with glutathione will realize what a MEDICAL BREAKTHROUGH this is. As was known by Dr Perlmutter, Dr. Hudson and Dr. Bishop, the oral glutathiones on the market were not very effective, as they were not properly absorbed by the body, especially in the case of CF patients whom have existing problems with absorbtion. The Glutathione that Dr. G created has a liposome delivery system, and although it is gooey and gross, IT WORKS!!! And now we have the clinical proof....

About dosing, approximately 15 minutes before taking the Glutathione, M took a 600mg pill of NAC. I chose to incorporate this based upon the advice in Dr. Hudson and Dr. Bishop's study. As a maintenance dose, 150mg of the Liposomal Glutathione per day is sufficient. That would be 1/3 teaspoon of reduced liposomal Glutathione. There are 11 teaspoons per bottle, therefore it would last approximately 33 days. However, if you are fighting a lung infection or liver problem, a much higher dose would be recommended. Because M was having respiratory problems, Dr. G started her at 250mg. We saw improvement after 8 days at this dose. IF there is a serious health problem, Dr. G said that it would be beneficial to start at a higher dose perhaps 1 teaspoon per day (440 mg) until the symptoms begin to diminish. From there, gradually work your way down to a maintenance dose.

Unfortunately, Liposomal Glutathione is something that should be taken daily, just like albuterol, pulmozyme, enzymes, etc. During our study, we had taken M off the Liposomal Glutathione for 7 days. Within 4 days, she began to look sickly, had diminished appetite and the dark circles under her eyes returned (dark circles under the eyes can be indicative of liver problems). There appears to be a correlation between the defective CFTR channel and the inability of Glutathione stored in the plasma to be absorbed into the Red Blood Cells. That is why the results of our study were so optimistic...we proved that the liposome acts as a vessel for Glutathione transferance into the Red Blood Cells. Unfortunately, without the aid of the liposome on a regular basis, the glutathione will not stay present in the Red Blood Cells.

The cost is $50.00 per bottle, which would be per month at a maintenance dose level. I know that between pharmaceutical co-pays and supplement costs, expense is of issue for many of us. I can only say, that in my heart of hearts, it is so worth it. After seeing the benefits reaped by our daughter from this Liposomal Glutathione, it is a cost we will pay with a smile.

I am so excited to share this news with all of you. I have witnessed what this liposomal Glutathione has done for my daughter and it is amazing. Four months ago, M was so sick, I lost hope. Everyday I would look at my daughter and wonder how many days I had left with her. Today, I watched her at her gymnastics class, jumping around, laughing and beaming with health and life. With the exception of those of you in the Pre-transplant stages (glutathione strengthens the immune system and it needs to be depressed for transplantation), I would highly encourage and recommend that you contact Dr. G and seek out this liposomal glutathione. Makenna may be an isolated case, but in her CF, this has been truly miraculous. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions, I would love to help in any way I can.

Good Luck Everyone....I hope this helps.