N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC) is created from the nonessential amino acid cysteine in your liver. Foods high in protein (meat, fish, seafood, chicken, turkey, eggs, etc.) are good sources of cysteine. Conversely, your body can produce it in your liver from other amino acids when your diet is deficient in cysteine.

NAC is the synthetic form of cysteine and is used in medicines and supplements. For example, NAC is used as a prescription drug to treat acetaminophen overdose. It is also used in liver and lung disease treatments.

NAC Health Benefits – Glutathione

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/nac-benefits. The antioxidant glutathione is one of the most essential antioxidants to support your immune function. As a glutathione precursor, NAC combines two amino acids – glutamine and glycine – to biosynthesize glutathione. Fighting inflammation and oxidative stress is critical for long-term health. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24835770/

NAC Health Benefits – Detoxification

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5241507/. NAC is used to treat polycystic ovary syndrome, premature birth, recurrent pregnancy loss, chronic bronchitis, ulcerative colitis, liver disorders, asthma, and has shown promising results in treating neurodegenerative diseases.

NAC Health Benefits & Mental Health

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK10807/. By regulating glutamate levels, NAC protects the brain. Glutamate and glutathione are needed for brain health, but when glutamate levels increase as glutathione levels decrease, neurological damage can occur.

NAC Health Benefits & Your Lungs

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27117852/. Glutathione reduces inflammation in the lungs and bronchial tubes. NAC increases glutathione levels and increases the body’s ability to loosen mucus in your air passageways. Oxidative damage is reduced in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) when NAC is as a treatment.

NAC Health Benefits & Your Heart

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26242742/. Heart disease is exacerbated by inflammation and oxidative stress. NAC acts as both an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. It also increases nitric oxide production to improve blood flow.

NAC Health Benefits & Immune Function

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2017.01239/full and https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1378279/. Our body’s ability to fight foreign invaders decreases as glutathione levels decrease. NAC restores natural killer cells (a major component of our immune system). It is also used with cancer treatments to enhance the immune system’s response to fight tumor growth.

More NAC Health Benefits

https://www.lifeextension.com/magazine/2022/7/benefits-of-n-acetyl-l-cysteine. Other studies of NAC show significant improvement in treating male infertility, cataracts, dry eye syndrome, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration. There are other disorders that NAC has been used as part of a more extensive treatment regimen with positive results.

Conclusion

NAC is inexpensive and readily available as a supplement. However, do not start adding NAC without first consulting with your physician, especially if you are already taking prescription medications.

Disease starts as chronic low-level cellular inflammation. NAC is an excellent tool in your health toolbox to fight the genesis of nearly every illness before it has a chance to become a health problem.

Live Longer & Enjoy Life! – Red O’Laughlin – RedOLaughlin.com

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