N-Acetyl Cysteine, aka NAC, is the supplement of the moment, and for so many wonderful reasons.
Don’t underestimate the potent and far-reaching health benefits of this health-giving compound. Firstly, and quite interestingly, it is recognised as a drug by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and even approved as an essential drug used to treat paracetamol overdose, and a mucolytic agent for respiratory disease1.
In fact, the origins of this powerful molecule run as far back as the 1960s, when Scientists at Mead Johnson discovered its effectiveness to help dislodge and thin mucus in patients with lung disease2. The very first clinical study on NAC unearthed its ability to clear the tracheobronchial airways in patients who were suffering with chronic obstructive lung disease3. NAC was then used in inhaler form to help break down disulfide bonds in mucus proteins and provide relief for patients.
From that point, further studies on NAC unearthed that it had many potentially positive effects on human biology. Nowadays, whilst it is still used to help those with lung disease, it is best known for its role as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, giving it its well-earned title as a health all-rounder4.
NAC has burst into the current health space, touted as a miracle answer to many ailments. Whilst it is not the answer to all our problems…it might just be the answer to quite a few!
This article is going to focus on why you should consider NAC, its multitude of benefits and why it might be the missing piece to unlocking a more energised, younger, healthier you.
N-Acetyl-Cysteine
Acts as A Glutathione Precursor
As mentioned, primarily NAC is an antioxidant, with many clinical trials testing its actions as5:
1) A scavenger of free reactive oxygen species (ROS) – by increasing intracellular glutathione, a powerful antioxidant, which then indirectly scavenges ROS to reduce inflammation.
2) Its ability to reduce disulfide bonds – by attacking the disulfide bond, that breaks the bond and reduces mucus viscosity, making it much easier to clear.
3) A precursor for glutathione production – it quite literally helps the body to produce and metabolise glutathione, arguably the body's most powerful amino acid antioxidant.
In fact, glutathione is one of the most important detoxification agents found in the liver with countless studies showing a direct link between glutathione levels and liver health and ability to detox effectively.
Glutathione has actually been used as an oral administrative for patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) 6.
As NAC is a key building block precursor to glutathione, it has even been shown to be a potentially natural option as a hangover cure. Glutathione plays a pivotal role in detoxifying alcoholic substances like ethanol (alcohol) and turning it into acetaldehyde before transporting it out of the body7.
However, before you go reaching for the NAC to cure a hangover – do ensure that you’re still eating nourishing foods and most importantly rehydrating with plenty of water!
Antioxidant Benefits
Due to its use in the body as an antioxidant free-radical scavenger, there are likely far more health benefits than currently discovered. The clinical data shows that antioxidants help to reduce inflammation in the body, with studies linking antioxidants to:
- Improved cardiovascular health
- Brain function, cognition and decline
- Eye health
- Skin health (including reducing inflammatory skin disease and slowing skin ageing, including UV protective properties)
- DNA health including cellular function
- Studies have linked antioxidants to a reduction in cancer outcomes
- Improved microbiome health, including microbiome protection and support and structural protection
Just to name a few areas of health that NAC directly and indirectly supports. It’s incredible how far reaching and multilayered the role that antioxidants have on our health, supporting every single system in the human body to either protect it or support its function.
NAC as A Fertility Support
A study in the Journal of Ovarian research touted NAC as a beneficial supplement to improve pregnancy outcomes in women with PCOS who are undergoing IVF treatment. Mechanisms for its function on boosting fertility include its insulin-sensitising properties along with its antioxidant and protective effects on mitochondrial function (which supports many energy processes in the body including egg health)8.
Some studies even suggest that NAC could reduce signs of hyperandrogenism (like hirsutism and acne) due to its insulin sensitivity supporting and antioxidant properties. Exciting potential as a natural health boost for hormonal balance and support9.
NAC and its benefits not only extend to women. Studies have looked into NAC and its role on male fertility, with studies showing a positive impact on sperm quality, and to help regulate important hormones for male health including testosterone.
Supports Respiratory Health
The article has been peppered with NAC’s benefits on respiratory health throughout, with it being (as mentioned) discovered and used initially for that purpose.
Further studies have linked NAC to a potential decrease in symptoms associated with chronic pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic bronchitis, making it a go-to treatment for lung health.
NAC & OCD
Another important function of NAC is that it helps to regulate glutamate levels in the brain. Glutamate is a key neurotransmitter for brain health, being the brain’s most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter, controlling learning, memory and mood regulation10.
This has linked NAC to many mental health conditions like OCD. In fact, a study has supported its potential use as a natural alternative to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which are used to conventionally treat the condition for those who haven’t responded well to SSRI medications.
NAC has also been studied as an adjunctive treatment for conditions like depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, due to its effects on glutamate production. NAC has even been shown as a potential treatment for PTSD, with mixed results11.
Whilst promising, more studies need to be carried out before it can be recommended as an effective treatment or alternative therapy option for OCD and/or other mood disorders12.
Dosage Guidelines
FDA approved dosages for acute respiratory disease are much higher than the recommended supplemental use of NAC as a health boost.
Recommendations vary with oral administration of 600mg daily being a generally agreed upon dose for therapeutic use.
As always, it is important to note that you should always check with your healthcare provider before supplementing with NAC, especially if you are taking medication. If you are confused and would like to know a little more about how NAC can benefit you, do reach out to our customer care team (support@purolabs.com) or contact our in-house nutritionist Steph who will be able to guide you.
