Glutathione, Oxidative Stress & Neurodegeneration: The Central Redox Pathway in Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s Disease (2026)
Glutathione deficiency is one of the most consistent and earliest biochemical abnormalities found in Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Long before neurons are lost, the brain’s primary intracellular antioxidant is already depleted—leaving neurons vulnerable to oxidative stress, mitochondrial failure, and inflammation. This pillar page serves as a comprehensive, evidence-based hub explaining glutathione’s role in brain health, why it declines in neurodegenerative disease, and how it fits into modern systems medicine and metabolic models of neurodegeneration. Table of Contents What Is Glutathione? Why the Brain Depends on Glutathione Oxidative Stress and Neurodegeneration Glutathione in Parkinson’s Disease Glutathione in Alzheimer’s Disease Cause or Consequence? Why Glutathione Declines With Age Glutathione, Mitochondria & Metabolic Health Can Glutathione Be Restored? Biomarker & Clinical Implications Systems Medicine Perspective Key Takeaways What Is Glutathione? Glu...