NAC or N-Acetyl Cysteine is a versatile and potent antioxidant with many health benefits. Recent studies have found many possible health benefits; like preventing the flu, building up energy after an illness, healing the lungs, endurance, and detoxifying heavy metals from our body.
The Health Benefits of NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine)
NAC is more bioavailable by our body than cysteine is. NAC or N-Acetyl Cysteine is produced in our bodies from the amino acid cysteine and is a precursor and a regenerator of glutathione and also a potent antioxidant.
Since there are so many health benefits to NAC, this article lists the studies for many of these medical conditions including:
- Liver health and glutathione levels
- Fighting the flu
- Chronic bronchitis
- COPD
- Oxidative stress and a potent antioxidant
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Obsessive-compulsive disorders
- Addictions
- Mental health, Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder
- Endurance and muscle fatigue
- Detoxifying health metals
- Kidney health
NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine) uses in the Hospital
There are a couple of benefits of NAC in hospitals. N-Acetyl Cysteine is used to treat Tylenol or acetaminophen overdose.
Glutathione is very important to the liver and acetaminophen lowers the glutathione levels in the liver. Glutathione in the liver is what detoxifies toxic chemicals that go through our body. NAC quickly restores the glutathione levels in the liver again.
NAC to Fight the Flu
The conclusion found that the severity and length of the flu symptoms in the group taking the NAC were significantly less than in the placebo group.
NAC and Chronic Bronchitis
Another health benefit of NAC is it can reduce the symptoms and episodes of both chronic bronchitis and COPD and reduce mucus.
A study published in the December 2002 issue of Pneumologie reported that a randomized study with 24 patients with chronic bronchitis showed that using 600 mg of NAC twice a day in addition to the standard antibiotic treatment lead to a higher rate of bacterial eradication.
The bacterial eradication rate for NAC plus antibiotics was 70% and for standard antibiotic treatments without the NAC was 36%.
The study also suggested that NAC reduced the number and duration of chronic bronchitis episodes and could influence lung function [2].
NAC and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
A 2009 study at the Pulmonary Institute in Israel conducted a randomized double-blind crossover study with 24 patients with stable, moderate to severe COPD.
One group was given 600 mg of NAC twice a day while the other group received a placebo for six weeks followed by a two week washout period, after the washout period, the groups were reversed and tested again for another six weeks.
The study’s conclusion was that NAC had a beneficial effect on physical performance and endurance time was longer with the NAC compared to the placebo [3].
The National Jewish Medical and Research Center in Denver, Colorado reported that oxidative stress could play a role in the worsening of COPD.
NAC to Treat Oxidative Stress
You’ve probably heard of how healthy antioxidants are and why you should eat vegetables. Antioxidants are what cleanse the free radicals left over from oxidative stress, and NAC is a powerful antioxidant.
Oxidative stress is involved in many diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, heart conditions, arthritis, respiratory problems, chronic fatigue syndrome, atherosclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and fragile X syndrome.
The University of Montreal did a study to find out if NAC would reduce oxidative stress. They found that NAC does have therapeutic value for reducing inflammation, fibrosis, cartilage erosion and transplant prolongation [5].
NAC for Alzheimer’s Disease
A study had 47 people who met the standard criteria for Alzheimer’s disease take 50 mg of NAC per day or a placebo. Both groups took tests at 3 months and 6-month intervals. At 6 months the group taking the NAC performed significantly better on all tests including the Wechsler Memory test than the placebo group [6].
NAC and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
While studying NAC and bipolar disorder, the researchers found that NAC reduced and or cured certain compulsive behaviors. One study found that several patients taking NAC were cured anxiety related nail biting [7].
Patients taking the NAC had significantly greater reductions in hair-pulling symptoms. 56% of the patients were very much improved compared with 16% of those taking the placebo. Significant improvement was noted after 9 weeks [8].
NAC and Addictions
Another possible health benefit of NAC is in the area of addictions. Studies show NAC could be effective in reducing the craving for cocaine [9] and possibly help with nicotine addictions [10] and even gambling addiction.
NAC for Mental Health
In addition to the physical health benefits of NAC, there are also mental health benefits of NAC as well.
A 2008 study found that glutathione levels are decreased in the brains of people with schizophrenia. The double-blind placebo-controlled study had 84 people with chronic schizophrenia take 1000 mg of NAC along with medication while the other group took medication with a placebo.
The group taking the NAC with medication did show improvement over the placebo plus medication group.
The NAC group also reported fewer side effects from the medication. The study’s conclusion was NAV along with medication could be a safe and effective method for treating schizophrenia [11].
A 2007 double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study had 75 patients with bipolar disorder take 1000 mg of NAC along with their medication or the placebo with medication.
At the end of 24 weeks, there was a significant improvement in the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale, the improvements started after 8 weeks. The improvements were lost after the 4-week washout period. NAC had no effect on the time to mood episode [12].
NAC and Endurance Muscle Fatigue
Exercise can cause free radicals and oxidative stress in the body. A study using mice found that NAC can reduce muscle fatigue and reduce injury caused by muscle fatigue [13].
Another study using 10 healthy men found that NAC does inhibit fatigue of the tibialis anterior.
NAC Detoxifies Heavy Metals
NAC binds with heavy metals lead, cadmium, mercury and aluminum that are toxic to us and flushes them out of our body.
NAC used for Contrast-Induced Nephropathy
NAC is used to protect the kidneys from contrast-induced nephropathy, a type of kidney failure that can be caused by the chemicals that are injected into someone to improve contrast and x-ray imaging in hospitals.
The Health Benefits of NAC as a Supplement
There are many health benefits of NAC, but a supplement means just that, to supplement your diet.
Cysteine Found in Food
The amino acid cysteine can be found in garlic, onions, broccoli, red peppers, yogurt, poultry, egg yolks, wheat germ, oats, and Brussel sprouts.
How to Take NAC
NAC should be taken three times with meals. Typical dosage ranges from 250 mg to 1500 mg daily. With higher amounts, most take 600mg, 1 to 3 times per day.
Some people report stomach aches, heartburn, and headaches. Drink 6 – 8 glasses of water per day to prevent kidney stones. It is also recommended to take plenty of vitamin C with NAC.
One complaint about NAC is that it smells like sulfur and if you take enough of it, you can start to smell like sulfur.
Drug Interaction Warnings
About the Author
Sam Montana is a certified Food Over Medicine instructor from the Wellness Forum Health Center and certified in optimal nutrition from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
© 2010-2021 Sam Montana
References:
[3] PubMed - Stav D, Raz M. Effect of N-acetylcysteine on air trapping in COPD: a randomized placebo-controlled study. Chest. 2009 Aug;136(2):381-386. doi: 10.1378/chest.09-0421. Epub 2009 May 15. PMID: 19447919.
[4] COPD: Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 2006, Vol. 3, No. 4, Pages 195-202
[5] PubMed - Zafarullah M, Li WQ, Sylvester J, Ahmad M. Molecular mechanisms of N-acetylcysteine actions. Cell Mol Life Sci. 2003 Jan;60(1):6-20. doi: 10.1007/s000180300001. PMID: 12613655.
[7] PubMed - Berk M, Jeavons S, Dean OM, Dodd S, Moss K, Gama CS, Malhi GS. Nail-biting stuff? The effect of N-acetyl cysteine on nail-biting. CNS Spectr. 2009 Jul;14(7):357-60. doi: 10.1017/s1092852900023002. PMID: 19773711.
[11] Journal of the Society of Biological Psychology Volume 64, Issue 5, Pages 361-368 (1 September 2008)
[12] Journal of the Society of Biological Psychology Volume 64, Issue 6, Pages 468-475 (15 September 2008)
[15] Annals of Internal Medicine February 19, 2008 vol. 148 no. 4 284-294
