Just as there are super foods, there are super supplements. Although optimizing my diet is my first priority, I’m also not one to shy from specific supplements if there are first and foremost any benefits and second a way for it to enhance (rather than replace) my nutritional foundation. NAC is one of those that I’ve been taking for a while now, and have thus experienced quite a number of benefits. Which is why I’d like to share some of them with you in today’s post. As always, check with a qualified practitioner first before trying any supplement! This is just general information I wanted to share.

So what is NAC? NAC, or N-Acetyl Cysteine, is a concentrated form of the (semi)-essential amino acid cysteine. Normally, our body makes it from other amino acids, but it can be low if you’re not getting enough through your diet (namely Methionine and Serine). You can also find cysteine naturally in animal-based foods, and smaller amounts from plant-based sources like sunflower seeds, oats, and legumes. [1]

Antioxidant Hero
Cysteine is particularly important because of its role in replenishing glutathione (aka, the “Master Antioxidant” of the body). [2] As a refresher, antioxidants are substances that help to reduce oxidative stress or damage caused by free radicals as a result of inflammation, sunlight exposure, smoking, radiation, and pollution. In the long-term, oxidative stress can lead to all sorts of diseases, and hasten the aging process. [3] Ultimately, the goal here is to fight back and resist the damage. And one of the ways we can do that is by keeping up with antioxidants- glutathione included. With NAC (which again is the concentrated, supplemental form of cysteine), we’re able to ensure there’s plenty of glutathione to go around. Research has found that NAC alone can be quite beneficial towards tackling the dangerous free radicals caused by pro-inflammatory conditions such as Ulcerative Colitis, PCOS, diabetes, chronic bronchitis, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s. [4]

Liver Lover
Detoxes are all the rage. What many people fail to understand however is that our body naturally detoxifies itself on a daily basis. And non-stop. We have most of this to thank our liver for, since it is our main detoxification organ. With that being said, there are cases when the liver cannot perform as optimally as it should. Take cases of drug overdoses for instance. In order to prevent further damage to the liver, many doctors administer NAC through an IV into patients who are experiencing an overdose (specifically with the drug acetaminophen). [4] NAC has also been used in cases of liver disease in order to lower inflammation and raise antioxidant status. [5]

Breathe Easier
We can all breathe much easier thanks to NAC! It’s been shown to relieve the symptoms of respiratory-related conditions and improve functioning of the lungs, [6] Because of its antioxidant superpowers, NAC lowers inflammation in the bronchial tubes and lung tissue, thereby clearing up mucus and making it easier to breathe again. And this isn’t only in the short term. In one study, patients that supplemented with NAC for a year were able to significantly improve their symptoms due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which causes long-term damage and inflammation to lung tissues resulting in tightened airways, coughing, and shortness of breath. [7]

Mental Health
Mental health is something that continues to demand more attention and care. Although there is no magical cure for psychiatric disorders, there are at least tools that can be implemented to help people deal with and recovery (as best they can) from them. Research shows that NAC helps to regulate the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate. When in excessive amounts and combined with a lack of the antioxidant glutathione, glutamate can lead to brain damage along with a multitude of mental health conditions and behaviors. [8] But if we can improve glutathione status within the body, then many of these issues can be relieved if not reduced.
There’s promising research to suggest that supplementing with NAC may help to address addictions (cocaine and cannabis) and addictive-like behaviors (hair pulling and nail biting). [9] This also extends to obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD), as it’s been shown to compliment prescription-based therapy towards moderate to severe cases. [10]
As research continues to explore the effectiveness of NAC, do not by any means substitute it for a doctor’s supervision. All of these studies suggest is that it works well together with medical or psychological treatment.

NAC is an extremely beneficial supplement due to its affects towards glutathione status in the body and preventing inflammation. This benefit makes it a versatile weapon against a multitude of pro-inflammatory conditions. While it is by no means a miracle cure, or replacement for natural antioxidant compounds found in our diet, it is a considerably effective “booster” to look into.
But as always, check with a doctor first before dabbling with supplements, especially if you’re taking any medications that NAC may interfere with.

Sources:
[1] https://www.myfooddata.com/articles/high-cysteine-foods.php
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2129149/
[3] https://www.healthline.com/health/oxidative-stress
[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5241507/
[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26694382
[6] https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/nac-benefits
[7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4744393/
[8] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK10807/
[9] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19581567
[10] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26931055