Glutathione is such a critical soldier in our line of defense that our bodies make it themselves. We even have mechanisms that recycle and reuse it. But what happens when our toxic Toxicity of Glutathione Binding Metals: A Review of Targets and Mechanisms How does glutathione remove heavy metals? Binds directly to metal ions (chelation) Makes them water soluble for excretion Protects cells from the oxidative damage metals cause Supports liver Frontiers Plants' molecular behavior to heavy metals: from criticality to toxicity