The Benefits of Taking N-Acetyl Cysteine Supplements

May 4, 2010
Les Abrams

Reactions of N-Acetyl Cysteine - National Institutes of Health

N-Acetyl Cysteine supplements provide a beneficial array of defenses for many diseases and conditions that some people are often subject to contracting.

N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), the acetylated form of L-cysteine. is a metabolite of the amino acid cysteine. Cysteine is a component of high protein foods. However, NAC is not found in any foods, although it is manufactured by the human body. NAC, an endogenous antioxidant, has been shown, clinically, and by other tests, to offer many benefits that aid in maintaining the health of the human body, and provides protection against the following medical conditions:

bronchitis
cirrhosis
COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder)
cystic fibrosis
HIV and AIDS
ALS
reduces mucus
possibly prevents the damages from chemotherapy

NAC performs a very valuable function: it clears the metabolic pathways of the liver. The liver is the garbage collector and disposer for the body. Often, the medications that most people must take, leave toxic residues. These residues are lipophilic (fat soluble) and and thus, are not metabolized and excreted. The liver performs this task, called glucuronidation. The lipophilic residues are converted to hydrophilic (water soluble) compounds that are then easily eliminated from the body as waste. If this is not done, then these toxic residues will remain forever and will cause many different harmful illnesses.

NAC Reduces Homocysteine Levels Wile Increasing Glutathione Levels

Cysteine is an important player in the detoxification process. Homocysteine is an amino acid and is found in the blood plasma and if the level is too high, it has shown to be responsible for increasing the risk of coronary artery disease, stroke, thrombosis, and vascular disease. Homocysteine is converted to methionine. Thus, NAC is beneficial because of the conversion of homocysteine to methionine results in lowering the level of available homocysteine in the blood. Additionally, B complex vitamins and folic acid help to break down homocysteine in the body.

Another benefit of NAC is that it increases the levels of intracellular glutathione in the human body through metabolization directly into glutathione. Glutathione is an antioxidant which detoxifies harmful chemicals into a less harmful form, thus providing protection from toxic substances in the body. One specific use of NAC is to detoxify an overdose of acetaminophen, thus protecting the health of the liver. NAC has shown to be effective in treating many adverse conditions of the liver.

NAC Detoxifies and Chelates Heavy Metals and Strengthens the Immune System

NAC aids in the detoxification and the chelation of heavy metals so as to allow the excretion of these metals from the body. Caution: However, since NAC is so good at removing metals from the body, it is necessary to replace the needed metals such as zinc and copper and the critical trace elements by taking the appropriate mineral supplements.

Glutathione aids in the delivery of nutrients to lymphocytes and phagocytes. These cells are two components of the human immune system. NAC insures that there is a sufficient amount of glutathione available for such tasks, and it is more efficient in providing glutathione than by taking the supplement L-glutathione.

NAC Aids the Reduction of Mucus and Retards the Growth of Colon Cancer

A surprising benefit of taking NAC is that it is capable of breaking up chains of mucoproteins (mucus) in the lungs and thinning the mucus which lessens the effects of bronchitis and influenza, and aids in the return to a healthier state of being . However, one is required to take a minimum of 1200 mg of NAC per day to achieve this protection and recovery.

NAC has been shown to reduce the replication of certain cancer and cancer prone cells in the colon, thus reducing the chances for colon cancer. These cancer prone cells are the cells that aid in the development of polyps in the colon - a precursor to colon cancer.

Some Cautions and Warnings About Using NAC

It is recommended that one takes a sufficient amount (two to three times the amount of NAC) of vitamin C to prevent harm from the presence of of the oxidized form of L-cysteine. Remember to replace the needed metals and trace elements that have been removed by NAC, by taking the necessary mineral supplements.