Acetaminophen (commonly known as Tylenol) is widely used to reduce fever and relieve pain in children. But did you know that frequent use of acetaminophen may deplete glutathione, a crucial antioxidant that plays a vital role in overall health? 🤔 Additionally, epidemiological studies suggest that acetaminophen use may significantly increase the risk of asthma, allergies, and eczema in children.
Glutathione is often called the “master antioxidant” because it helps protect cells from damage, supports detoxification, and strengthens the immune system. 🛡️ It plays a key role in: ✔️ Neutralizing harmful free radicals 🦠 ✔️ Detoxifying the liver 🚰 ✔️ Supporting lung and respiratory health 🫁 ✔️ Enhancing immune function 🏥 ✔️ Reducing oxidative stress, which contributes to chronic illness ⚠️
When the body metabolizes acetaminophen, it produces a toxic byproduct called NAPQI. Normally, glutathione helps neutralize NAPQI, but when acetaminophen is taken too frequently or in high doses, glutathione stores can become depleted. This can lead to: ❗ Increased oxidative stress and cellular damage ❗ Impaired liver function and detoxification ❗ Greater risk of lung inflammation and asthma development ❗ Weakened immune response, making it harder to fight off illness
A major International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) involving over 322,000 children across 50 countries found a strong exposure-dependent relationship between acetaminophen use and the development of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, and eczema.
🔹 Children who used acetaminophen once a year had a 43% increased risk of developing asthma. 🔹 Children who used it once a month or more had a 151% increased risk of asthma. 🔹 Acetaminophen use was also linked to an increased risk of eczema and allergic conditions.
Further research published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology indicates that glutathione depletion may be a key factor in the increased inflammatory response seen in children who frequently use acetaminophen. When glutathione levels drop, the body struggles to regulate oxidative stress, leading to chronic inflammation, which has been linked to asthma, eczema, and other allergic conditions.
This suggests that acetaminophen may play a role in the development and maintenance of inflammatory conditions in children.
Instead of automatically reaching for acetaminophen, consider natural and functional medicine alternatives to support your child’s health: 🌱 Hydration & Electrolytes – Keep fluids up to aid natural detoxification. 🌱 Liver-Supporting Nutrients – Foods rich in sulfur like garlic, onions, and cruciferous veggies help replenish glutathione. 🌱 Herbal & Natural Remedies – Elderberry, vitamin C, and homeopathic options can support immune function. 🌱 Targeted Supplements – NAC (N-acetylcysteine) is a precursor to glutathione and helps maintain healthy levels.
If your child frequently gets sick, has allergies, asthma, or other inflammatory concerns, it’s time to look at the root cause. At Well-Rooted Pediatrics, we take a holistic, functional approach to uncover what’s really going on and how to best support your child’s long-term health.
📞 Call us at 815-322-9300 to schedule a consultation today!
📖 References: 🔗 International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19679299/
🔗 Acetaminophen and Asthma Risk – https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1515990
🔗 Glutathione Depletion & Acetaminophen in Asthma Risk – https://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(20)31326-9/fulltext
We LOVE Jessica and the team at Well Rooted, and are so glad we made the choice to take our son there. I love their natural, holistic approach so much, my husband and I just started going to their adult practice, Functional Medicine. We’ll never go anywhere else!
Valerie is absolutely amazing!!! Our family feels so blessed to have been able to work with her. My son was diagnosed with Vitiligo, and with Valerie’s direction we have seen such a change in him. We were provided with so much information and finally have hope!
I’m so grateful we found this practice, I would HIGHLY recommend to anyone looking a new pediatrician. Their facility is spotless, their technology is wonderful, and most importantly their doctors take time in answering your questions and provide so much insight and knowledge to the medical care of your kids. Thank you Well Rooted Pediatrics!!!
We love this office! Jessica was the first practitioner to tell me about sublingual therapy allergy drops for environmental allergies. I had 3 out of 4 of my kids suffer from extreme eczema. Daily itching, bleeding, open wounds. Other doctors and allergist just told me to keep putting lotion on because it was due to dry skin. Believe me when I say I lathered my kids multiple times a day and tried every natural product out there and it didn’t help! Steroid cream was the only thing that was able to calm it down but it would come right back once we stopped using it. Well, a year into the allergy drops and my kids have beautiful eczema free skin! No more tears, no more fear of swimming pools and fear of infections. All thanks to the wonderful providers at Well-Rooted Pediatrics!! They truly care and think outside the box to get to the root of the problem. I am forever grateful for them!
Absolutely Love this place! The staff here is amazing! They’re very thorough and it’s obvious that they care about your little ones. Happy we found them!
390 Congress Pkwy # J
Crystal Lake, IL
814 Commerce Dr., Ste 150
Oak Brook, IL
390 Congress Parkway
Suite I
Crystal Lake, IL
2075 Foxfield Rd.
Suite 102
St. Charles, IL 60174