Top 9 Benefits of NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine)

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Cysteine ​​is a semi-essential amino acid that the body can produce from other amino acids, namely methionine and serine. Cysteine ​​is found in most protein-rich foods, such as chicken, yogurt, cheese, eggs, sunflower seeds, and legumes.

1. N-Acetyl Cysteine ​​and its benefits.

NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine) also known as Acetylcysteine ​​is a cysteine ​​in supplement form. Adequate consumption of cysteine ​​and NAC is important for health and replenishes glutathione, the most powerful antioxidant in the body. These amino acids also help treat chronic breathing, support fertility and brain health. Here are the top 9 health benefits of NAC.

1.1. Produces Glutathione, a powerful antioxidant.

NAC is highly valued for its key role in antioxidant production. Along with two other amino acids, glutamine and glycine, NAC is essential for creating and replenishing glutathione.
Glutathione is one of the most important antioxidants, they help neutralize free radicals that can damage cells and tissues in the body. It is also essential for boosting the health of the immune system and fighting cell damage. Some researchers believe, it can even prolong life
Its antioxidant properties are important in fighting many other diseases caused by oxidative stress, such as heart disease, infertility and some mental illness .

1. 2. Helps with detoxification to prevent or reduce kidney and liver damage

N- Acetyl Cysteine ​​plays an important role in the detoxification process in the body. It can help prevent drug side effects and environmental toxins. In fact, doctors routinely give intravenous (IV) NAC to people who overdose on acetaminophen to prevent or reduce kidney and liver damage. NAC is also used for other liver patients due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.

1. 3. Can improve mental disorders and addictive behavior

NAC helps regulate levels of glutamate, the most important neurotransmitter in the brain. While glutamate is essential for the normal functioning of the brain, an excess of glutamate coupled with a depletion of glutathione can cause brain damage. This can affect mental health conditions, such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and addictive behavior.
For people with bipolar and depression, N-Acetyl Cysteine ​​can help reduce symptoms and improve overall functioning. Furthermore, research suggests that it may play a role in the treatment of moderate to severe OCD. Likewise, one animal study implied that NAC could mitigate the negative effects of schizophrenia, such as withdrawal syndrome, apathy, and distraction. NAC supplements may also help reduce withdrawal symptoms and prevent relapse in people addicted to cocaine. Additionally, preliminary studies suggest that NAC may reduce marijuana and nicotine use and cravings.

1. 4. Helps relieve symptoms of respiratory conditions

NAC may relieve symptoms of respiratory-related conditions by acting as an antioxidant and releasing and loosening mucus in the airways. As an antioxidant, NAC helps replenish glutathione levels in the lungs and reduce inflammation in the bronchial tubes and lung tissue. People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experience long-term oxidative damage and inflammation of the lung tissue that causes airways to become blocked, leading to shortness of breath and coughing. NAC supplements have also been used to improve symptoms of COPD and lung failure. In one year-long study, taking 600 mg of NAC twice a day significantly improved lung function and symptoms in people with COPD.
People with chronic bronchitis can also take NAC. Bronchitis occurs when the mucous membranes in the lungs, the bronchial passages become inflamed, swollen, and obstruct the air passages to the lungs. By thinning the mucus in the bronchial tubes and increasing glutathione levels, NAC can help reduce the severity and frequency of wheezing and coughing.
In addition to relieving COPD and bronchitis, NAC can improve other lung and respiratory conditions such as cystic fibrosis, asthma, and pulmonary fibrosis, as well as symptoms of nasal and sinus congestion caused by allergies or infections coincide .

1.5. Helps promote brain health by regulating Glutamate and supplementing with Glutathione

NAC's ability to replenish glutathione and regulate glutamate levels may promote brain health. The brain neurotransmitter Glutamate is involved in a wide range of learning, behavioral and memory activities. While the antioxidant glutathione helps reduce oxidative damage to brain cells associated with aging. Because NAC helps regulate glutamate levels and replenish glutathione, it may benefit people with brain disease and dementia.
Neurological disorders, Alzheimer's disease can slow down learning and memory. Animal studies show that NAC can slow cognitive loss in people with Alzheimer's disease.
Another brain condition is Parkinson's disease, which is characterized by a decline in the cells that produce the neurotransmitter dopamine. Both oxidative damage to cells and reduced antioxidant capacity contribute to this disease. NAC supplements seem to improve both dopamine function and disease symptoms like tremors.

1. 6. Improves fertility in both men and women

About 15% of all infertile couples are affected by infertility. In nearly half of these cases, male infertility was the major contributing factor. Factors leading to male infertility increase when antioxidant levels are not sufficient to combat free radical formation in the reproductive system. Oxidative stress can cause cell death and reduced fertility. In some cases, NAC has been shown to improve male fertility.
One condition that contributes to male infertility is varicocele. When the veins inside the scrotum became enlarged due to free radical damage and required surgery. In a study of 35 men with varicocele were given 600 mg of NAC daily for three months after surgery. The combination of surgery and NAC supplementation improved semen integrity and wife pregnancy rate by 22% compared with the control group. Another study in 468 infertile men found that supplementing with 600 mg of NAC and 200 mcg of selenium for 26 weeks improved semen quality.
Researchers suggest that NAC supplements should be considered a treatment option for male infertility. Additionally, NAC may improve fertility in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) by inducing or increasing the ovulation cycle.

1. 7. Helps stabilize blood sugar by reducing inflammation in fat cells

High blood sugar combined with obesity contributes to inflammation in adipose tissue. This can lead to damage or destruction of insulin receptors, increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Animal studies show that NAC can stabilize blood sugar by reducing inflammation in fat cells and improving insulin resistance.
When insulin receptors are intact and healthy, they properly remove sugar from the blood, keeping levels within normal limits. However, more NAC studies are needed to confirm these effects. This effect on blood sugar control.

1.8. Reduces risk of heart disease by preventing oxidative damage

Oxidative damage to heart tissue often leads to heart disease, causing strokes, heart attacks, and other serious conditions. NAC may reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing oxidative damage to tissues in the heart. It has also been shown to increase nitric oxide production, which helps dilate veins and improves blood flow. This helps speed blood flow back to the heart and can reduce the risk of a heart attack. One test-tube study found that, when combined with green tea, NAC seemed to reduce damage from oxidized LDL cholesterol, another factor in heart disease.

1.9. Increasing Glutathione levels can improve immune function

NAC and glutathione also promote immune health. Research on several diseases related to NAC and glutathione deficiency shows that immune function can be improved and potentially restored by NAC supplementation. This factor has been studied most in people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In two studies, NAC supplementation resulted in a significant increase in immune function along with an almost complete recovery of natural killer cells. High levels of NAC in your body can also block HIV-1 reproduction.
A test-tube study has shown that in other immune compromised situations such as influenza, NAC can interfere with the virus's ability to replicate. This has the potential to relieve symptoms and reduce the lifespan of the disease. Similarly, other test-tube studies have linked NAC to killing and preventing the multiplication of cancer cells.

2. Dosage

There are no specific dietary recommendations for cysteine ​​because small amounts can be produced by the body. In order for your body to make the amino acid cysteine, you need adequate amounts of folate, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12. These nutrients can be found in beans, lentils, spinach, bananas, salmon and tuna. While most protein-rich foods, such as chicken, yogurt, cheese, eggs, sunflower seeds, and legumes, contain cysteine, some people still choose to take NAC supplements to increase cysteine ​​levels.
NAC is not well absorbed, so an acceptable daily intake of 600 - 1,800 mg of NAC is suggested. NAC can be given intravenously - IV or taken orally as an aerosol spray or in liquid or powder form.

3. Side effects

NAC is considered safe for adults when given as a prescription drug. However, in high amounts can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation. When inhaled, it can cause mouth swelling, runny nose, drowsiness, and chest tightness.
People with bleeding disorders or taking blood thinners should not take NAC, as it can slow blood clotting. NAC has an unpleasant odor that makes it difficult to consume. If you choose to take it, consult your doctor first.
N-Acetyl Cysteine ​​plays a number of important roles in human health. Especially with the role of supplementing levels of the antioxidant glutathione, which regulates the important brain neurotransmitter glutamate. In addition, NAC helps the body's detoxification system. These functions make NAC supplements a viable treatment option for many health problems. However, you should consult your doctor before deciding to use NAC for health promotion.
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Reference source: healthline.com