Nac Supplements

Nac, also known as n-acetyl cysteine is a compound derived from the amino acid cysteine. This compound is turned in the body to a very powerful antioxidant called glutathione. It also serves in the regeneration of other anti-oxidant compounds like Vitamin C, Vitamins E, and glutathione.

Purchase our recommended Nac 600 mg capsules to increase levels of the powerful antioxidant glutahione, detoxify heavy metal, and increase the production of ATP by slowing down free radical formation.

Nac supplements serve as heavy metal chelators and can detoxify mercury and lead. It was shown in studies to increase the excretion of heavy metals by up to 30%. It may be especially effective on mercury due to its ability to increase levels of glutathione in the body. In another study administration of NAC to mice increased excretion of mercury by 50% over a 48 hour period.

N-Acetyl Cysteine (nac) has also been shown to be beneficial to the immune system and is being studied in the treatment of AIDS. A study showed that individuals that ingested NAC had less episodes of flu compared to those in a placebo group. Levels of intracellular glutathione were shown to be decreased in people with AIDS. Intracellular glutathione of immune cells including t-cells and phagocytes.

Treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Doctors have found many CFS patients to be deficient in the antioxidant glutathione. Since glutathione isn’t absorbed well by oral administration, Nac is an indirect way to increase its levels in the body due to it being a direct precursor.

Heart health: Nac may play a beneficial in the heath of the heart. Risk of heart disease was increased by a “lipoprotein called Lp(a)” NAC was shown to decrease levels of this specific lipoprotien. But it is unknown at this time if Lp(a) was a cause of heart disease or just an indicator.

Hangovers: NAC may help to prevent hangovers by metabolizing the chemical acetaldehyde that can cause headaches, nausea, and fatigue do to the ingestion of alcohol.

BACKGROUND: Glutathione (GSH) deficiency is common in HIV-infected individuals and is associated with impaired T cell function and impaired survival. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is used to replenish GSH that has been depleted by acetaminophen overdose. Studies here test oral administration of NAC for safe and effective GSH replenishment in HIV infection.

DESIGN: Oral NAC administration in a randomized, 8-week double-blind, placebo-controlled trial followed by optional open-label drug for up to 24 weeks. SUBJECTS: HIV-infected, low GSH, CD4 T cells < 500 micro L(-1), no active opportunistic infections or other debilitation; n = 81. Study conducted prior to introduction of protease inhibitors.

RESULTS: Whole blood GSH levels in NAC arm subjects significantly increased from 0.88 mM to 0.98 mM, bringing GSH levels in NAC-treated subjects to 89% of uninfected controls (P = 0.03). Baseline GSH levels in the placebo group (0.91) remained essentially the same during the 8 week placebo-controlled trial. T cell GSH, adjusted for CD4 T cell count and beta2-microglobulin levels, also increased in the NAC-treated subjects (P = 0.04). Adverse effects were minimal and not significantly associated with NAC ingestion.

CONCLUSION: NAC treatment for 8 weeks safely replenishes whole blood GSH and T cell GSH in HIV-infected individuals. Thus, NAC offers useful adjunct therapy to increase protection against oxidative stress, improve immune system function and increase detoxification of acetaminophen and other drugs. These findings suggest that NAC therapy could be valuable in other clinical situations in which GSH deficiency or oxidative stress plays a role in disease pathology, e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, septic shock and diabetes.