NAC N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine October 4, 2023SupplementsOff

NAC is a precursor needed for the body to make glutathione, a major anti-oxidant. NAC also helps the liver detoxify. 

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Take 500mg or 600 mg NAC daily. When sick take that dosage three times a day.

This derivative of the amino acid cysteine is often used as the preferred substrate for intracellular glutathione synthesis. It also assists detoxification, provides cellular antioxidant protection, and is much safer than cysteine.

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As well as having it’s own antioxidant activity, NAC stimulates the synthesis and activity of glutathione, the master antioxidant. NAC effectively supports liver detoxification. NAC also promotes the thinning of mucus in the lungs, making it easier to clear when coughing which supports respiratory health, as well as supports clear, healthy sinuses.

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In addition, I recommend taking Zinc, Quercetin, Vitamin D and Vitamin C.

OrthoMune is a great product, shown below.

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Biotics Research NAC, 500mg

Other Ingredients: Capsule shell (gelatin and water)

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Integrative Therapeutics NAC, 600mg

Other Ingredients: Gelatin (capsule), cellulose, calcium laurate

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Protocol for Life NAC, 600mg

Other Ingredients: Hypromellose (cellulose capsule), Stearic Acid (vegetable source) and Citric Acid.

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NAC functions as a potent antioxidant. As the precursor to glutathione intracellular synthesis, it is essential for the synthesis of glutathione. Glutathione is a critical component of the immune system, as it is an important intracellular water-soluble antioxidant. As part of this function, glutathione plays a vital role as the cofactor for the antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase and glutathione transferase.

Glutathione is also important to the liver, as the liver utilizes it for drug detoxification. As a metabolite of cysteine, NAC plays an important role in detoxification, and is hepatoprotective. NAC functions in protecting cells against oxidative stress, and contributes to important bodily reactions. As such it is a part of the defensive mechanism toward potential carcinogens, as well as against DNA damage.

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NAC Studies

• Utilizing NAC in smokers with chronic bronchitis showed a significant reduction in the number of positive bacterial cultures in these patients. {Riise GC, et al. Eur Respir J.1994 Jan; 7(1):94-101.}
• Another study utilizing NAC indicated potential benefits for chronic bronchitis, resulting in a significantly lower exacerbation rate in patients administered NAC, compared to placebo. {Rassmussen, JB & Glennow, C. Eur Respir J. 1988 Apr;1(4):351-5.}

Study

COVID-19 may cause pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, cardiovascular alterations, and multiple organ failure, which have been ascribed to a cytokine storm, a systemic inflammatory response, and an attack by the immune system. Moreover, an oxidative stress imbalance has been demonstrated to occur in COVID-19 patients.

N- Acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) is a precursor of reduced glutathione (GSH).

Based on a broad range of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms, which are herein reviewed, the oral administration of NAC is likely to attenuate the risk of developing COVID-19, as it was previously demonstrated for influenza and influenza-like illnesses.

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Study

NAC has two principal activities: NAC exhibits a mucolytic effect due to its free sulfhydryl group which reduces disulfide bonds in the cross-linked mucus glycoproteins matrix, thereby lowering mucus viscosity; and NAC is a potent antioxidant with a direct effect on certain oxidant species, an indirect effect because it acts as a precursor to cysteine (required for glutathione synthesis), and the ability to restore thiol pools which in turn regulate redox state.

Considering these properties, we hypothesize that NAC could negatively affect SARS-CoV-2 activity for the following reasons: Read the study

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