Sonny,

Thanks for your question.

Glutathione is an herbal supplement that is known as an anti-oxidant which many people feel helps to prevent many diseases, infections, infertility, and may provide protection against cancer.  Everyone has glutathione in their blood stream, but some people have low levels, and therefore supplementation is felt to be beneficial by many people.

I found one case report of a patient with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) who responded well to steroid therapy.  Patients with COPD have chronic inflammation of the airways which leads to more reaction, mucus production, and narrowing of the airways themselves.  They supplemented this patient with glutathione and the patient responded with improved symptoms as well as better results on breathing tests.  The conclusion of this report was that further study was necessary.  It is felt that the glutathione may have improved the inflammation within the patient's lungs.

I suggest you ask your doctor about this possibility, as well as what dosage should be used.  I have not been able to find any controlled research trials using glutathione for pulmonary diseases.

Best wishes.

Martin Cane, M.D.