Antioxidants Explained: Vitamin C, Glutathione, and NAD+

These three get lumped together as "antioxidants" and marketed almost interchangeably, but they do genuinely different jobs, and understanding the difference is more useful than treating them as one trend.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a well-established antioxidant with strong evidence behind its role in collagen synthesis (it's a required cofactor, not optional) and immune function. It's water-soluble, meaning your body doesn't store much of it, so consistent intake matters more than occasional large doses.

Glutathione

Glutathione is often called the body's "master antioxidant" because it's produced internally and plays a central role in detoxification pathways at the cellular level. It can be given by IV or by intramuscular injection — the delivery method depends on the dose and the goal, not a fixed rule, and that's a conversation worth having rather than assuming one route is automatically better. Oral glutathione is poorly absorbed, which is part of why injectable or IV delivery is the more common approach when addressing it directly is the goal.

NAD+

NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme involved in cellular energy production, and it's become one of the most heavily marketed compounds in wellness — often with claims that outrun what the current research actually supports. What's reasonably well established: NAD+ levels decline with age, and NAD+ is genuinely essential for mitochondrial energy production. What's not established: definitive anti-aging or performance claims that go beyond that basic cellular role. We'll talk honestly about what NAD+ does and doesn't have evidence for if you're considering it — not just the marketing version.

The pattern across all three

The pattern across all three: real, legitimate cellular functions, wrapped in marketing that often claims more than the evidence supports. Our job is to separate the two so you can make a decision based on what these compounds actually do, not what a headline says they do.

IV therapy and injections in Covington, TN

Sunshine Spa & Aesthetics is an RN-led medical aesthetics and wellness practice at 201 W Liberty Ave in Covington, Tennessee, serving Tipton County and the greater Memphis area. Every treatment is performed by a licensed provider, with medical oversight from Dr. Noah Ehinger, MD, Board Certified Cosmetic Surgeon. If you'd like to talk through what these compounds do and doesn't have evidence behind it, you can book a consultation online or call (901) 296-8006.

Results vary. Personal treatment plans are based on individual anatomy, goals, and medical history. Consultation required.