Glutathione vs Livagen
Your body's master antioxidant — a tiny three-part protein that shields your cells and helps clear out toxins.
Tetrapeptide bioregulator (Lys-Glu-Asp-Ala) that directly penetrates cell nuclei and binds double-stranded DNA to induce chromatin decondensation in senescent lymphocytes, activate ribosomal genes, inhibit enkephalin-degrading enzymes with an IC50 of 20 μM, and restore protein synthesis capacity in aging cells through selective epigenetic remodeling
Written by Michael Carroll — Owner, Director of Research · Reviewed by the Peptide Initiative Research Team · Editorial standards
Quick comparison
Dose range
Glutathione
200–200 mg
Livagen
5–10 mg
Frequency
Glutathione
Once daily by mouth; IV and inhaled protocols are typically given 1–3 times per week
Livagen
Once daily
Administration
Glutathione
Subcutaneous injection
Livagen
Intramuscular injection
Cycle length
Glutathione
Often used continuously; studied by mouth for up to 6 months
Livagen
8-12 weeks
Onset speed
Glutathione
Builds gradually — blood and tissue levels rise over weeks of steady use, while IV and inhaled forms act faster
Livagen
Gradual (3-4 weeks)
Evidence level
Glutathione
Moderate human trials (Phase 1-2)
Livagen
Limited human trials
Benefit ratings
Antioxidant defense
Detoxification support
Immune support
Brain/neuroprotection interest
Cell Renewal
Liver Support
DNA Protection
Compound specifications
Glutathione
Molecular formula
C10H17N3O6S
Molecular weight
307.33 g/mol
Half-life
Very short in blood — roughly 2 to 10 minutes as intact glutathione; tissue pools turn over more slowly
Bioavailability
Low by mouth — intact glutathione is largely broken down in the gut by gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase; liposomal, intranasal, IV and inhaled routes bypass this
CAS number
70-18-8
Livagen
Molecular formula
C18H31N5O9
Molecular weight
461.5 g/mol
Half-life
Short plasma half-life typical of tetrapeptides; biological effects persist for weeks through epigenetic chromatin remodeling modifications; metabolized to constituent amino acids (lysine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, alanine)
Bioavailability
Resistant to intestinal proteolysis when administered orally (weakly hydrolyzed by intestinal peptidases); efficient absorption from intramuscular injection sites; penetrates cytoplasmic and nuclear membranes to reach cell nuclei and nucleoli
CAS number
Not assigned (research compound)
Dosing compared
Glutathione
Subcutaneous
100 mg per injection
2–3 times per week · Ongoing, as directed
Delivered under the skin, bypassing gut breakdown like the intramuscular route shown effective in a controlled trial (600 mg IM every other day) [7]. Subcutaneous-specific dosing is drawn from clinical practice rather than published trials, so start at the lower end to gauge tolerance. Most protocols use a 0.5–1 mL injection volume.
200 mg per injection (up to ~600 mg per week total)
2–3 times per week · Ongoing, as directed
The most common subcutaneous range used in practice. It mirrors the systemic delivery of the controlled intramuscular protocol [7]; subcutaneous-specific numbers come from clinical use rather than trials. Rotate injection sites (abdomen, thigh) and use sterile, single-use supplies.
Oral
250 mg per day
Once daily · Up to 6 months
The lower dose from the 6-month oral trial in 54 healthy adults; it raised glutathione stores roughly 17-29% in blood versus baseline, and levels returned to baseline within a month of stopping [2].
1,000 mg per day
Once daily · Up to 6 months
The higher dose in the same 54-person trial raised blood glutathione about 30-35% versus baseline and more than doubled natural-killer immune-cell activity versus placebo by 3 months [2]. In a separate 12-person pilot with no placebo arm, liposomal glutathione at 500-1,000 mg per day raised whole-blood glutathione up to 40% versus baseline within 2 weeks [12].
Intravenous
1,400 mg per infusion
3 times per week · 4 weeks (as studied)
Clinic-administered. In the 4-week Parkinson's trial (21 people: 11 on IV glutathione 1,400 mg three times weekly, 10 on placebo), reported adverse events were similar in the two groups, no one withdrew because of them, and the treatment did not show a statistically significant benefit over placebo on symptom scores [1]. Must be given by a healthcare professional.
Intranasal
100-200 mg per dose
3 times daily (as studied) · Up to 3 months (as studied)
Trial dosing in Parkinson's: 100 or 200 mg three times daily for 3 months in 45 people — symptoms improved in every group including placebo, neither dose beat placebo, and one of the 15 people in the 200 mg arm developed cardiomyopathy [10]. An earlier 30-person trial of 300-600 mg per day divided found adverse events no more frequent than placebo [9]. A single 200 mg dose raised brain glutathione in 15 people (about a 269% rise in the glutathione-to-creatine signal at 45 minutes versus baseline) [3]. Uses a compounded nasal spray; trial samples lost potency to 72-81% of label within 4-6 weeks [3].
Intramuscular
600 mg per injection
Every other day · 2 months (as studied)
This is the dose used in a placebo-controlled, double-blind trial, where 600 mg intramuscular every other day for 2 months improved sperm motility and structure [7]. Given by a healthcare professional or trained self-injector.
Topical
2% oxidized glutathione (GSSG) lotion
Twice daily · 10 weeks (as studied)
Applied to the skin, not injected. In a placebo-controlled trial, a 2% oxidized-glutathione lotion twice daily for 10 weeks lightened skin tone and improved the skin barrier [8]. Topical use acts locally on the skin and does not meaningfully raise whole-body glutathione.
Livagen
Intramuscular
5-10 mg
Once daily · 10-day course (50-100 mg total)
Reflects the Khavinson-laboratory bioregulator course used in practice: a total of 50-100 mg of the KEDA tetrapeptide delivered over 10 days. Livagen has no standardized human clinical dosing; evidence is largely preclinical [6].
Best suited for
Glutathione
Everyday antioxidant support
Raising your body's own glutathione helps mop up free radicals — the unstable molecules behind cell wear-and-tear. Six months of daily oral dosing measurably increased body stores [2].
Liver and detox support
Glutathione tags toxins and drug byproducts so your liver can clear them out through the glutathione-S-transferase pathway [4].
Immune support
In the 6-month oral trial, the higher dose more than doubled the activity of natural killer cells, a front-line immune defender [2].
Brain-delivery research (Parkinson's)
Getting glutathione into the brain through the nose or a vein has been studied in Parkinson's disease, where it was well tolerated and reached brain tissue [1][3].
Livagen
Comprehensive geroprotective therapy targeting epigenetic chromatin remodeling in aging cells
Livagen is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on comprehensive geroprotective therapy targeting epigenetic chromatin remodeling in aging cells. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.
Supporting liver function and hepatoprotection in the context of aging
Livagen is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on supporting liver function and hepatoprotection in the context of aging. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.
Restoring protein synthesis and ribosomal function in elderly individuals
Livagen is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on restoring protein synthesis and ribosomal function in elderly individuals. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.
Khavinson bioregulator protocols for anti-aging and longevity
Livagen is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on khavinson bioregulator protocols for anti-aging and longevity. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.
Side effects
Glutathione
Common
- Generally well tolerated
- Unpleasant smell or taste
Uncommon
- Mild stomach upset, bloating or loose stools
- Transient cough
Serious
- Bronchospasm (airway tightening) in asthma
Livagen
Common
- Injection site reaction
- Mild fatigue
- Mild headache
- Digestive enzyme changes
Uncommon
- Transient flu-like symptoms
Serious
- No documented serious adverse effects
Safety & evidence
Glutathione
Evidence level
Moderate human trials (Phase 1-2)
FDA status
Sold as a dietary supplement; not FDA-approved as a drug. IV and inhaled uses are off-label/compounded.
Safety overview
Glutathione has a reassuring safety record in trials, but the trials are small. In the 6-month oral trial (54 healthy adults taking 250 or 1,000 mg a day), blood glutathione rose and returned to baseline after a 1-month washout [2]. In the IV Parkinson's trial (21 people: 11 on 1,400 mg three times a week, 10 on placebo), reported adverse events were similar in the two groups and no one withdrew because of them [1]. Intranasal glutathione was tolerated over 3 months in a 30-person trial (placebo, 300 or 600 mg per day) with no substantial difference in adverse events between groups [9]; in the follow-up 45-person trial, one of the 15 people on the highest dose (200 mg three times daily) developed cardiomyopathy — a weakening of the heart muscle [10]. The clearest warning is for the inhaled form: in 8 people with mild asthma, nebulized glutathione (600 mg) dropped lung function (FEV1) 19% versus 1% after placebo, with coughing in 4 of 8 and breathlessness in 3 of 8 — the researchers attributed the airway narrowing to sulfite formation [5].
Contraindications
- Known allergy to glutathione or a product ingredient
- Asthma — inhaled/nebulized forms can trigger airway tightening, especially in sulfite-sensitive people
Livagen
Evidence level
Limited human trials
FDA status
Research compound
Safety overview
Livagen (a liver-derived peptide extract) carries a safety profile established through decades of use in Eastern European hepatology and gastroenterology clinics. As an organ-derived extract rather than a synthetic single peptide, it contains multiple bioactive components promoting hepatocyte regeneration and cytoprotection. Adverse events are minimal in reported clinical experience—mild gastrointestinal upset occurring in <5% of patients. The compound shows no hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, or immunosensitization in available safety surveillance data from thousands of patients.
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to peptide bioregulators or constituent amino acids (lysine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, alanine)
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding — insufficient reproductive safety data
- Active autoimmune conditions in flare without physician supervision
- Concurrent use of opioid medications — Livagen's enkephalinase inhibition may alter opioid metabolism
Which is right for you?
Choose Glutathione if...
- Everyday antioxidant and detox support
- Liver and immune support
- Healthy aging
- Adjunct interest in Parkinson's disease
Choose Livagen if...
- Comprehensive geroprotective therapy targeting epigenetic chromatin remodeling in aging cells
- Supporting liver function and hepatoprotection in the context of aging
- Restoring protein synthesis and ribosomal function in elderly individuals
- Khavinson bioregulator protocols for anti-aging and longevity