Core Nutritionals put Setria® Glutathione in THREE distinct Lifeline products: Core LIVER, Core Hair, Skin, & Nails, and Core KIDNEY. Not because it was cheap, but because the research shows 250mg doses actually work. Kyowa Hakko's fermentation-produced form delivers proven bioavailability that cheaper alternatives can't match.
When Core Nutritionals launched their Lifeline Series back in 2021, they made a strategic decision that speaks volumes about their commitment to quality: they chose Setria® Glutathione from Kyowa Hakko for multiple formulas targeting different organ systems. This wasn't a one-and-done ingredient choice. Doug Miller and his team at Core recognized that glutathione's versatility as the "master antioxidant" made it essential for liver detoxification, kidney protection, and even beauty from within.
Today, Setria® appears in three distinct Lifeline products: Core LIVER, Core Hair, Skin, & Nails, and Core KIDNEY. Each formula leverages glutathione's unique mechanisms to support different physiological systems, demonstrating both the ingredient's remarkable adaptability and Kyowa Hakko's commitment to research-backed supplementation.
Why Setria® Stands Apart
Not all glutathione supplements deliver on their promises. The tripeptide faces significant bioavailability challenges when taken orally, which is why Kyowa Hakko's proprietary fermentation-produced Setria® has become the gold standard. Penn State University researchers demonstrated that daily Setria® supplementation effectively increases glutathione levels in blood, erythrocytes, plasma, lymphocytes, and buccal cells.[1]
In their six-month trial, the research team found glutathione levels increased 30-35% in multiple blood compartments with just 250mg daily, while buccal cell concentrations jumped 260%. The researchers concluded that "these findings show, for the first time, that daily consumption of GSH supplements was effective at increasing body compartment stores of GSH."[1]
This bioavailability advantage is precisely why Core chose Setria® across their organ health lineup. Before we jump in, sign up for PricePlow's Kyowa Hakko and Setria news so that you don't miss any updates:
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Core LIVER: Detoxification Powerhouse
Core LIVER combines 250mg of Setria® Glutathione with liver-specific compounds including a massive 1,260mg dose of milk thistle extract, 400mg of katuki extract, and 250mg of TUDCA. The formula creates a comprehensive approach to hepatic health, but glutathione serves as the foundation.
Glutathione's Critical Role in Liver Function
The liver handles Phase I and Phase II detoxification, with glutathione playing an indispensable role in both pathways. As an antioxidant, glutathione directly neutralizes free radicals generated during metabolic processes. More importantly, it participates in conjugation reactions that transform fat-soluble toxins into water-soluble compounds for elimination.[2]
The liver contains the highest concentration of glutathione in the body, and maintaining adequate levels is essential for optimal hepatic function. When glutathione becomes depleted through exposure to toxins, medications, or oxidative stress, liver function suffers. Research has demonstrated that glutathione depletion in liver cells can lead to increased susceptibility to damage from various hepatotoxins.
Why Setria® Enhances the Formula
By including 250mg of Setria® alongside milk thistle's silymarin (a proven hepatoprotective compound) and TUDCA (which supports bile flow and protects liver cells), Core created a multi-mechanism formula. The bioavailable glutathione replenishes the liver's primary antioxidant defense while the other ingredients provide complementary support through anti-inflammatory and choleretic pathways.
Athletes using hepatotoxic compounds, individuals taking multiple medications, or anyone concerned about environmental toxin exposure can benefit from this combination. The formula doesn't just protect the liver in theory -- it provides the exact nutrients the organ uses to defend and repair itself.
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Core Hair, Skin, & Nails: Beauty Through Antioxidant Protection
Glutathione's Skin Health Mechanisms
Research demonstrates that oral glutathione supplementation can significantly improve skin health through multiple mechanisms. A 12-week study on Asian females found that 250mg daily of glutathione reduced melanin indices and improved skin hydration, especially in sun-protected areas.[2]
The skin lightening effect occurs through glutathione's ability to modulate melanin synthesis. By suppressing tyrosinase (the enzyme responsible for melanin production) and shifting melanogenesis from darker eumelanin to lighter pheomelanin, glutathione helps create a more even skin tone.[2]
Beyond pigmentation, glutathione's antioxidant properties protect skin cells from UV-induced oxidative damage and support collagen integrity. One clinical trial found that 250mg daily glutathione led to significant wrinkle reduction compared to placebo, with researchers concluding it has "various beneficial effects on skin properties" and functions as an anti-aging agent in middle-aged subjects.[3]
Synergy with Other Beauty Nutrients
The formula's vitamin C works in partnership with glutathione, as the two antioxidants regenerate each other. After vitamin C neutralizes free radicals and becomes unstable, glutathione helps recycle it back to active form. Meanwhile, Astrion (containing astragalosides and asiaticosides) boosts collagen production, MSM provides sulfur for connective tissue health, and hyaluronic acid enhances skin moisture retention.
This multi-faceted approach addresses beauty from cellular health outward, with Setria® providing the foundational antioxidant protection that allows other ingredients to work more effectively.
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Core KIDNEY: Urinary System Protection
Core KIDNEY rounds out the Lifeline trio with another 250mg dose of Setria® Glutathione, this time supporting renal and bladder health. The four-capsule formula includes 600mg Go-Less (a pumpkin seed and soy germ extract blend), 500mg goldenrod extract, 500mg PaCran cranberry extract, 360mg stinging nettle root extract, 300mg grape seed extract, and 250mg astragalus extract.
Glutathione's Role in Kidney Health
The kidneys face constant oxidative stress as they filter toxins and metabolic waste from blood. This makes antioxidant protection essential for maintaining healthy renal function. Glutathione serves as the primary defense against oxidative damage in kidney cells, protecting delicate filtration structures from free radical assault.
Research on L-citrulline (which increases glutathione availability through its role in the arginine-nitric oxide cycle) has demonstrated protective effects against kidney damage in various models. One study found L-citrulline protected against renal ischemia-reperfusion injury through the nitric oxide pathway, where glutathione plays a critical role in protecting NO from degradation.[4]
The relationship between glutathione and kidney health extends beyond simple antioxidant protection. Glutathione participates in detoxification pathways that help kidneys eliminate various compounds, supports immune function within renal tissue, and helps maintain the integrity of the glomerular filtration barrier.
Complementary Ingredients for Complete Support
Go-Less provides clinical support for bladder function and urinary flow through its combination of pumpkin seed and soy germ extracts. Studies show this blend can significantly reduce urinary frequency and urgency while improving bladder control.
PaCran delivers proanthocyanidins that help prevent bacterial adhesion to urinary tract walls, offering protection against UTIs through an anti-adhesive mechanism rather than antimicrobial action. Goldenrod contributes diuretic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties that support healthy urine flow and reduce urinary tract irritation.
Glutathione is one of the most powerful antioxidants in the body.
Grape seed extract adds additional proanthocyanidins with potent antioxidant capacity, while astragalus extract (standardized to 50% polysaccharides) provides immune support and additional renal protection. Stinging nettle supports healthy urinary flow, particularly beneficial for prostate health.
The 250mg Setria® dose provides the antioxidant foundation that protects kidney cells from oxidative damage while supporting the organ's crucial detoxification functions. Combined with the urinary-specific ingredients, the formula addresses both kidney tissue health and urinary tract function.
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The Setria® Advantage: Why Core Chose Kyowa Hakko
Core Nutritionals could have selected cheaper glutathione sources for their Lifeline formulas. Instead, they invested in Setria® across three distinct products, demonstrating confidence in both the ingredient's efficacy and Kyowa Hakko's quality standards.
New research on Setria® For Sport shows combining 200mg Setria® Glutathione with 2g L-Citrulline creates powerful synergy for nitric oxide production. Studies demonstrate increased lean mass and enhanced blood flow beyond either ingredient alone.
Setria® offers several advantages that justify this premium choice:
- Proven Bioavailability: Multiple published studies confirm Setria® effectively raises glutathione levels in various body compartments, something many glutathione supplements fail to achieve.
- Manufacturing Excellence: Produced through proprietary fermentation rather than chemical synthesis, Setria® maintains 98% purity without animal-derived ingredients.
- Clinical Research Foundation: Kyowa Hakko continues investing in research examining glutathione's effects on immune function, oxidative stress, skin health, and athletic performance. This ongoing commitment to science ensures formulators have access to the latest efficacy data.
- Quality Certifications: Setria® meets USP monograph requirements, follows GMP manufacturing standards, and carries Kosher and Halal certifications. This quality assurance matters for companies like Core that stake their reputation on ingredient integrity.
Glutathione's Versatility Across Organ Systems
The appearance of Setria® in three different Lifeline formulas highlights glutathione's remarkable versatility. While the dose remains consistent at 250mg across all three products, the physiological outcomes differ based on the supporting ingredients and target tissues.
Kyowa Hakko brought the science to SupplySide Global 2025 with Cognizin® Citicoline beverages, STM stick packs, and a new liposomal Setria® Glutathione collaboration with ONE Innovation Labs. Plus they sponsored Women's Health.
In LIVER, glutathione participates in hepatic detoxification and protects against oxidative damage from toxin metabolism. In Hair, Skin, & Nails, it modulates melanin synthesis and provides antioxidant protection for skin cells. In KIDNEY, it shields renal tissue from oxidative stress while supporting the organ's filtration and detoxification functions.
This adaptability stems from glutathione's fundamental role as the body's master antioxidant. Present in every cell, it neutralizes free radicals, regenerates other antioxidants, supports immune function, and participates in detoxification reactions. These core mechanisms apply across all organ systems, making glutathione a logical choice for multiple health applications.
Learn More from the Experts
For deeper insights into Setria's ongoing research and applications, check out our recent podcast interview with Katie Emerson and Tony Miano from Kyowa Hakko, recorded at Expo West 2025. Katie, Senior Manager of Scientific Affairs at Kyowa Hakko, discusses the latest studies on Setria, including new research on the Setria® + citrulline combination for athletic performance and emerging data on immune and metabolic health applications.
You can also read about Kyowa Hakko's broader innovations in our SupplySide Global 2025 recap, which covers both Setria® developments and updates on Cognizin® citicoline research.
Conclusion: Quality Ingredients for Quality Health
Katie Emerson and Tony Miano of Kyowa Hakko join PricePlow to discuss the latest Cognizin and Setria research developments at Expo West 2025 in Episode #163.
Core Nutritionals' Lifeline Series demonstrates what happens when a brand commits to ingredient quality across an entire product line. By choosing Setria® Glutathione from Kyowa Hakko for three distinct formulas, Core ensured customers receive clinically effective doses of a proven, bioavailable form rather than underdosed or inferior alternatives.
The 250mg dose across LIVER, Hair, Skin, & Nails, and KIDNEY matches the amount used in successful clinical trials, providing the research-backed foundation each formula needs. Whether supporting hepatic detoxification, promoting skin health, or protecting kidney function, Setria® delivers the master antioxidant in a form the body can actually use.
For supplement users who value ingredient quality and research-backed formulation, the Core Lifeline Series represents a gold standard in organ health support. And for brands watching from the sidelines, it demonstrates how partnering with ingredient innovators like Kyowa Hakko can elevate an entire product line from good to exceptional.
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