NAC Supplement (n-acetyl cysteine) Health Benefits
Cysteine is a semi-essential amino acid. It’s called a semi-essential amino acid because your body can create it with other amino acids such as methionine and serine. The supplement form of cysteine is N-acetyl cysteine (NAC).
Studies indicate that NAC is necessary for various bodily functions. It also increases glutathione, a primary antioxidant in your body that performs several functions. When NAC levels go down, your body can have trouble. Taking NAC supplements can therefore be helpful and improve your health.
There are many products available so you can choose one that is highly recommended.
Before buying any product, it will be good to learn about the health benefits that N-acetyl cysteine offers to your body.
Food rich in Cysteine
- Poultry
- Garlic
- Red pepper
- Soy foods
- Cottage cheese
- Grains (millet, quinoa, wild rice, etc.)
- Yogurt
- Broccoli
- Fish
- Eggs
- Oats
- Onion
- Dates
- Sunflower Seeds
NAC (n-acetyl cysteine) Health Benefits
As mentioned above, NAC is helpful and provides multiple health benefits. Below are some health benefits associated with NAC.
Boosts the production of glutathione
Glutathione is the most powerful antioxidant in your body, and it has many functions. Glutamine and glycine need NAC to create and refill glutathione in the body.
Glutathione helps to neutralize free radicals and prevent them from damaging the cells. It also boosts immunity and may even increase longevity.
Its antioxidant properties also help fight several diseases such as infertility, heart ailments and other psychiatric issues.
It’s essential to have an ample quantity of glutathione which is only possible when you have an endless supply of NAC.
Improves brain function by balancing glutamate and refilling glutathione
NAC replenishes glutathione and regulates glutamate. When glutamate and glutathione are sufficiently present in the body, it helps the brain perform all the functions smoothly.
Glutamate is a neurotransmitter that aids in learning, memory and behavioral functions. Glutathione keeps the brain safe from oxidative damage related to aging. NAC supplement, therefore, can be helpful for people who suffer from brain issues.
People who have Alzheimer’s disease often suffer from brain ailments. Their memory power and learning abilities weaken as the disease progresses. Since NAC refills glutathione and balances glutamate, a supplement can be useful for those who have Alzheimer’s disease.
NAC supplements can also help people with Parkinson’s disease by increasing dopamine levels and lowering tremor symptoms.
However, experts say that more studies need to be conducted to learn more about how NAC can help brain health.
Helps with the body detoxification process
NAC also plays an essential role in the body detoxification process and cleanses the body of environmental and drug toxins. An excess of several substances in the body can damage the liver and kidneys.
But when the body gets a continuous supply of NAC, it can help neutralize the toxins and keep the liver, kidneys and other organs safe and healthy.
As NAC has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, it also aids in preventing various other liver ailments.
Aids in alleviating respiratory problems
NAC supplements can also help relieve some respiratory conditions since they have antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. It can clear up the air passageways by loosening the mucus.
When you take an N-acetyl cysteine supplement, it raises glutathione levels in the lungs too, which can prevent bronchial tubes and lung tissue from being inflamed.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients suffer from lung tissue inflammation and oxidative damage. Taking NAC supplements can alleviate these problems, as experiments have shown that.
Besides these, NAC supplements can also relieve other lung issues. These include bronchitis, sinus and nasal congestion, asthma, cystic fibrosis and pulmonary fibrosis.
It can alleviate the issues by clearing air passageways, softening mucus and preventing inflammation.
May help to relieve psychiatric illnesses and addictive behavior
Normal glutamate levels enable the brain to function properly. But if its levels go up and glutathione goes down, it can be very dangerous.
When this happens, people can suffer from various mental illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and addictive behavior.
NAC helps balance the glutamate level and replenish glutathione, so it may relieve symptoms of depression and bipolar disorder.
Studies have also shown that it can also treat mild to severe OCD. NAC supplements may also lower withdrawal symptoms and cravings for narcotics like nicotine and weed.
May lower inflammation in fat cells and balance blood sugar
Fat tissue becomes inflamed due to obesity and high blood sugar. When there is inflammation in the fat cells, it can destroy insulin receptors and make you vulnerable to type 2 diabetes.
Experiments conducted on animals have shown that NAC may regulate blood sugar by reducing fat tissue inflammation. When fat cells work normally, they improve insulin resistance. Healthy insulin receptors remove excess sugar from the blood and maintain the proper limit.
However, more human research needs to be conducted to know if NAC can help maintain sugar levels in the blood.
May boost immunity
People who have NAC and glutathione deficiencies can have a weakened immune system. Studies have indicated that patients, when given NAC supplementation, improved their immune function.
Most of the experiments were conducted on those who have Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and NAC supplementation has shown improvement in immune function. It may also inhibit the regrowth of HIV-1.
Some other studies have also indicated that NAC supplementation can also slow down the flu virus from reproducing. It may therefore lower the symptoms and also the duration of the illness.
Some experiments have also indicated that NAC supplementation may block the reproduction of cancer cells.
But researchers need to do more studies on humans. So, consult your physician if you want to use an NAC supplement while undergoing cancer treatment.
May protect heart health
Your heart can suffer from various diseases due to oxidative damage. You may have a stroke, cardiac arrest and other issues. It mainly happens when blood doesn’t travel easily to and from the heart.
A good NAC supplement may boost the production of nitric oxide, which enables blood vessels to expand and enhance blood flow to your heart and overall circulation. Your heart will function normally when everything else works properly.
Another experiment indicated that when NAC is combined with green tea, it reduce damage from oxidized ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol.
N-acetyl cysteine is an important substance for our body, and it can improve various functions, as seen above.
More studies are needed to learn more about how it can benefit in other ways. For now, you can take a high-quality supplement for the health issues mentioned above after seeking your doctor’s advice.
You will notice several products but only select after checking reviews from customers and experts.
