Shefali Jariwala’s Tragic Death: The Hidden Dangers of Unsupervised Glutathione Supplements

The sudden death of Shefali Jhariwala at the age of 42 has sent shockwaves across the country. Best known for her performance in the iconic pop song Kaanta Laga, Shefali was reportedly consuming cosmetic anti-ageing supplements, including Vitamin C and Glutathione.

According to initial investigations, she had taken these supplements on an empty stomach on June 27, while fasting for the Satyanarayana Puja at her home. It is suspected that consuming such supplements without food may have caused a sharp drop in blood pressure, leading to cardiac arrest.

Her untimely demise has reignited conversations around the intense pressure actresses face to maintain a certain appearance—pressure that can lead to unsafe choices, such as taking medications or supplements without medical supervision.

What is Glutathione?

Glutathione supplements are commonly marketed for skin lightening, detoxification, and anti-ageing benefits. Although glutathione is a naturally occurring antioxidant in the body, supplementation—especially in high doses or via unregulated routes—can be harmful.

1. Unregulated and Unsafe Administration Routes

Injectable or IV glutathione is often used for skin lightening but is not FDA-approved for cosmetic use in many countries. These injections pose risks of infection, allergic reactions, and kidney damage. When administered in non-medical settings like salons, sterility and dosage are often unverified.

2. Potential Side Effects

Users may experience abdominal cramps, bloating, allergic reactions such as rashes or breathing difficulty, and in some cases, paradoxical skin issues like hives or breakouts.

3. Interference with Natural Detoxification

Prolonged use may interfere with the body’s natural glutathione production, leading to dependency on supplements and masking deeper health concerns that require medical attention.

4. Risk of Overdose

Excess glutathione—especially in high doses or injectable form—can disrupt thyroid and liver function, lead to imbalanced mineral levels, and potentially trigger asthma-like symptoms.

5. Poor Absorption in Oral Form

Oral glutathione supplements are known for low bioavailability, meaning the body absorbs them inefficiently. This reduces potential benefits while still exposing the user to side effects or drug interactions.

6. Long-term Safety Not Fully Studied

There is limited research on the long-term effects of glutathione use, particularly among healthy individuals taking it for cosmetic purposes. Its impact on fertility, cancer risk, and other chronic conditions remains inconclusive.