Glutathione use in multiple sclerosis and student’s opinion

Objective: To determine pharmacy students’ opinions on the role of glutathione and other dietary supplements for the treatment of chronic diseases including Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
Methods: Pharmacy students were asked to complete an online survey to assess their opinions on the role of dietary supplements and glutathione’s role in MS using Likert-scale type questions.
Results: A total of forty-two pharmacy students participated in the study with a 100% response rate. Majority of the participants were between the ages of 24- 26 (n=17, 40.5%) consisting of mostly females that obtained a bachelor’s degree prior to attending pharmacy school. Over half of the students located within the DMV, working full time (n=21, 50%) in a pharmacy-related career (n=16, 38%), and earning an annual income of less than $10,000 (n=13, 31.0%). Most of the participants said they have adequate knowledge on the use the most common dietary supplements (n=25, 60%). A large portion of the participants claimed that they were either had taken dietary supplements in the past (n=29; 69%) or were currently on dietary supplements (n=21, 50%). When asked specifically about glutathione, over sixty percent (n=27; 64%) of them believed in its beneficial health effects in patients with MS; although they did not agree to taking or recommending the supplement but rather consuming glutathione-rich foods since it is a naturally produced hormone. Participants' job type, work experience, and years worked were significantly associated with whether they agreed to take supplements in the past. Variables such as age, job type, years worked, and current working status are also significant factors that determined whether students believed in eating glutathione-rich foods like broccoli and cauliflower instead of taking glutathione supplements. Those that were older in age and had a longer years of work experience were incredulous about taking supplements unless an individual had a poor dietary habit. Other factors such as level of education, gender, or income had no impact on the outcomes.
Conclusion: Our results indicate that first-year pharmacy students believe in the beneficial effects of dietary supplements including the use of glutathione in MS. However, there was a significant finding where individuals who were older, had more work experience and worked in a healthcare setting including a pharmacy-related field had more hesitancy in taking supplements and had a belief that eating a balanced diet or glutathione-rick food was more beneficial than taking the supplements. Therefore, although the participants believed in the use of taking dietary supplements, they have a reservation in recommending it as a potential first-line use unless in cases of deficiency secondary to poor dietary habits.