What is N-AcetylcysteineNAC, and N-Acetyl-Cysteine?
N-Acetylcysteine, NAC, and N-Acetyl-Cysteine are all one of the same just abbreviated differently. N-Acetylcysteine, for short, NAC is a more stable form of cysteine that can be taken in a supplement form. Cysteine is a sulfur-containing amino acid needed to produce glutathione, which is a potent free radical fighter. Cysteine is also needed to help maintain adequate levels of glutathione in our cells. In short, glutathione is one of the body's powerhouse antioxidants. Antioxidants are compounds that help protect the body from cellular damage caused by free radicals. The body needs antioxidants because with every breath you take you generate free radicals, which are highly reactive substances that can attack and damage cells if left unchecked. Free radicals are believed by some experts to be a major culprit in premature aging and disease such as cancer and heart disease.
How Can N-Acetylcysteine, NAC, or N-Acetyl-Cysteine Benefit You? NAC is used by the liver and the lymphocytes (white blood cells) to detoxify harmful chemicals and other toxins. In fact, it is said to be a powerful detoxifier of cigarette smoke, alcohol, and environmental pollutants ---all immune system suppressors. Put simply, it can counter environmental toxins, promoting their excretion through the liver. NAC plays an important role in boosting the immune system and it can also stave off disease. It accomplishes this because it enhances the production of the enzyme glutathione, one of the body's powerhouse antioxidants. In addition, it appears to act as a "mucus dissolving" agent and, as such, it helps to break up the thick mucus often present in people suffering from chronic respiratory ailments. Such conditions include bronchitis, sinusitis, asthma, and other respiratory diseases. What about diabetes? N-Acetylcysteine holds promise in preventing and reducing the severity of diabetic nephropathy. However, people with diabetes should not take a NAC supplement without taking to physician first, as it can interfere with the effectiveness of insulin.
In addition, NAC may be helpful to:
Precautions and Side Effects of N-Acetylcysteine, NAC, and N-Acetyl-Cysteine
NAC appears to be well tolerated when taken at recommended dosages. However, taken at high doses for therapeutic treatments may cause headache, nausea, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal symptoms. It's important that you speak with your physician before taking any dietary supplements, especially if you are on any prescription medications or have a heath condition. Pregnant and nursing women should not take NAC supplements as the effects of NAC during pregnancy and lactation have not been sufficiently evaluated. NAC may reduce the effectiveness of tegretol (carbamazepine) and, as such, NAC is not recommended while taking this drug. In addition, it may also interfere with several classes of chemotherapy drugs. Again, if you suffer from a health condition or are on any prescription medications, speak to your physician. It's also advised that you should not use NAC while taking nitroglycerine because it could cause severe headaches. Your best bet is to check with your physician. It has been suggested that NAC may increase excretion of the mineral copper. Therefore, if you're using NAC for an extended period of time, you should add both copper and zinc to your treatment regimen to avoid deficiencies. Zinc and copper should be taken together for proper balance needed for optimal health. If you use NAC for more than a month, it is advised that you add a mixed amino acid complex supplement to your treatment regimen.
A Tip on Selecting a NAC, and N-Acetyl-Cysteine Supplement To reap the maximum benefits of NAC, we recommend the following tip: Select a NAC nutritional supplement produced at pharmaceutical standard registered facilities. It is important to note that dietary supplements are not highly regulated by the FDA in the U.S. and, as such, manufacturers are self policed and do not have to guarantee the safety, effectiveness, or even the true content of their products. In fact, consumers only have a 1 in 5 chance of buying a product that contains what is stated on the label or one that does not harbor contaminates. GMP compliant manufactures comply with stringent regulatory standards, which ensures the product contains what is stated on the label. Actually, it's important to purchase all your dietary supplements from pharmaceutical GMP compliant facilities. We hope this N-Acetyl-Cysteine web-page was useful to you. To Your Health! The Editors
Much more than N-Acetylcysteine can be found at our popular Amino Acid guide web-page
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