Omar Bennett
N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) is a supplement form of the amino acid cysteine, which is found in most high-protein foods such as chicken, turkey, yoghurt, and eggs. While cysteine can be obtained from food, some people may opt to take NAC as a supplement to help treat certain conditions. The typical recommended dosage of NAC is between 600 and 1,800 milligrams, but excessive doses of 7 grams or more can be dangerous and even fatal. When considering taking NAC, it is important to consult a doctor first, as it may cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and gastrointestinal issues. Determining the quality of NAC involves understanding its effectiveness in treating specific conditions, its safety profile, and its potential interactions with other substances.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Form | Oral, Intravenous, Aerosol spray, Liquid, Powder |
| Dosage | 600-1,800 mg per day; 3,000 mg in some studies |
| Side effects | Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Constipation, Mouth issues, Low blood pressure, Asthma attacks, Headaches |
| Benefits | Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, Boosts glutathione levels, Improves immune function, Treats acetaminophen poisoning, Treats collapsed lungs, Prepares for lung tests, Improves chest pain, Improves irritability in autism, Reduces shortness of breath and coughing, Decreases COPD flare-ups, Reduces kidney problems, Lowers cholesterol, Reduces homocysteine levels, Improves fertility |
| Precautions | Not well-absorbed by the body at low doses, May slow blood clotting, Can cause chest tightness, Not recommended for people taking blood thinners or nitroglycerin |
| FDA Status | Approved as a drug, Illegal for use in dietary supplements, May be allowed in supplements in the future |
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What You'll Learn
N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) is an FDA-approved drug
NAC is a supplement form of cysteine, a conditionally essential amino acid. Cysteine is found in most high-protein foods such as chicken, turkey, yogurt, cheese, eggs, sunflower seeds, and legumes. Consuming adequate cysteine and NAC is important for various health reasons, including replenishing glutathione, the most potent antioxidant in the body. Glutathione supports the immune system, helps specific enzyme functions, and supports organ functions.
NAC is also used to treat several other conditions. For instance, taking NAC by mouth or IV improves chest pain when used with the drug nitroglycerin. It also helps prevent nitroglycerin tolerance, but it might increase the risk of headaches and low blood pressure. Taking NAC by mouth might also improve irritability in children and adolescents with autism. Additionally, it reduces shortness of breath and coughing in people with bronchitis and decreases flare-ups in people with moderate to severe COPD.
In terms of mental health, NAC may help decrease symptoms and improve quality of life for people with bipolar disorder and depression. Research also suggests that it may play a role in treating OCD and minimizing the adverse effects of schizophrenia. Furthermore, preliminary studies show that NAC may decrease cannabis and nicotine use and cravings.
As of August 2022, the FDA is considering changing its stance on the inclusion of NAC in dietary supplements. The FDA intends to practice enforcement discretion for NAC dietary supplement products as long as no safety concerns are identified.
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NAC is a supplement form of the amino acid cysteine
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a supplement form of the amino acid cysteine. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, and the body needs 20 of them to maintain normal function. The body can make 11 of these by itself, but the remaining nine must be obtained from food. L-cysteine is one of the nine amino acids that the body cannot produce on its own. However, the body can make cysteine by combining two other amino acids, serine and methionine.
NAC is an N-acetyl derivative of L-cysteine, and it can be converted to L-cysteine in the body. L-cysteine is necessary for the production of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that helps protect cells and tissues from damage caused by free radicals. Glutathione also supports the immune system, specific enzyme functions, and organ functions. By boosting glutathione levels, NAC may improve immune function and reduce the risk of chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease.
NAC has many health benefits, including its role in antioxidant production and its anti-inflammatory properties. It is also used to treat certain medical conditions. For example, NAC is used to treat acetaminophen poisoning by binding to the poisonous forms of acetaminophen that are formed in the liver. It is also used to treat lung conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchitis, as it can reduce inflammation in the airways and improve lung function. Additionally, NAC may be beneficial for people with bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and substance use disorders.
While NAC is considered safe as a prescription medication, it can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and gastrointestinal disturbances. High amounts of NAC may also cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and constipation. Inhalation of NAC solutions can lead to mouth issues, a runny nose, drowsiness, and chest tightness. People with bleeding disorders or those taking blood-thinning medications should not take NAC as it may increase the risk of bleeding. It is important to consult a doctor before taking NAC supplements to ensure safe usage.
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NAC is safe for adults when provided as a prescription medication
N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is a supplement form of the amino acid cysteine, which plays several important roles in human health. It is a conditionally essential amino acid, meaning that while the body can produce it from other amino acids, dietary intake is required when methionine and serine levels are low. Cysteine is found in most high-protein foods, such as chicken, turkey, yogurt, cheese, eggs, sunflower seeds, and legumes.
NAC is likely safe for adults when provided as a prescription medication. It is an FDA-approved drug that has been shown to be effective in treating various conditions. For example, it is used to treat acetaminophen poisoning by binding the poisonous forms of acetaminophen formed in the liver. It is also used to treat lung conditions, flu, dry eye, and chest pain (angina) when combined with nitroglycerin. In addition, NAC can be administered in various forms, including orally, intravenously, as an aerosol spray, or in liquid or powder form.
However, it is important to note that high amounts of NAC may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. Inhalation of NAC solutions can lead to swelling in the mouth, a runny nose, drowsiness, and chest tightness. People with bleeding disorders or those taking blood-thinning medications should exercise caution as NAC may slow blood clotting. Additionally, those taking nitroglycerin in pills, patches, or creams should refrain from taking NAC as the combination can cause extremely low blood pressure and headaches.
While NAC is generally considered safe as a prescription medication, its long-term use has not been extensively studied. Most studies have focused on specific therapeutic goals with treatment durations ranging from six weeks to six months. Therefore, it is always advisable to consult a doctor before taking NAC or any other supplement.
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NAC has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is a supplement form of cysteine, a conditionally essential amino acid. It is also available as a prescription medication. Consuming adequate cysteine and NAC is important for health reasons, including replenishing the body's most potent antioxidant, glutathione.
NAC has many health benefits, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Antioxidants are compounds that help fight disease in the body. Anti-inflammatories reduce swelling and irritation in the body's tissues.
NAC helps your body make more glutathione, a potent antioxidant that helps get rid of cell-damaging free radicals. Free radicals are also called reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS can damage your DNA, a process known as oxidative stress. In general, reducing oxidative stress with antioxidants like NAC can help lower your risk of certain health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, and infertility.
NAC is also used to treat acetaminophen (Tylenol) poisoning. It works by binding the poisonous forms of acetaminophen that are formed in the liver. People also use NAC for cough and other lung conditions. It is also used for flu, dry eye, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses.
NAC has applications for other liver diseases thanks to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. It helps detoxify your body and can treat acetaminophen overdoses. It also helps regulate glutamate levels, the brain's most important neurotransmitter. While glutamate is required for regular brain activity, excess glutamate and glutathione depletion can cause brain damage. This may contribute to mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and substance use disorder.
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NAC may be beneficial for treating mental health conditions
N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is a supplement form of cysteine, a conditionally essential amino acid. It is also an antioxidant that may play a role in preventing cancer. It is used to treat acetaminophen poisoning and is also used for cough, flu, dry eye, and many other conditions. However, there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses.
NAC has been investigated for its potential in treating psychiatric disorders, primarily through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and glutamate modulation activity. It has been studied as a treatment for some mental health conditions, including depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. It may also have applications in managing substance use disorders, as preliminary studies show that it may decrease cannabis and nicotine use and cravings.
NAC affects levels of chemical messengers in the brain, such as glutamate and dopamine. High levels of glutamate are associated with different mental health conditions. Since NAC may lower glutamate levels, it may help treat certain mental health conditions. Additionally, dopamine is a chemical messenger involved in controlling movements and emotional responses. Many mental health conditions are associated with unbalanced dopamine levels. Since NAC raises dopamine levels, it may help treat some mental health conditions.
While the effectiveness of NAC in treating mental health conditions is still being studied, it appears to be well-tolerated. Most side effects experienced after taking NAC are mild, and it is considered safe as a prescription medication. However, it is important to consult a doctor before taking NAC, as it can interact with other medications and may not be suitable for everyone.
Overall, NAC shows potential as a beneficial treatment for mental health conditions, but further research is needed to determine its effectiveness and safety.
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Frequently asked questions
N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) is a supplement form of the amino acid cysteine. Cysteine is found in most high-protein foods such as chicken, turkey, beef, eggs, and whole grains.
NAC is an antioxidant that may reduce inflammation. It has many health benefits, including replenishing antioxidants, nourishing your brain, and supporting the immune system. It is also used to treat acetaminophen poisoning and lung conditions.
A good quality NAC supplement should contain between 600 and 1,800 milligrams of NAC. It should be taken under the guidance of a healthcare provider.
Yes, excessive doses of NAC (7 grams or more) can be dangerous and even fatal. It may also cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and other gastrointestinal issues. People with bleeding disorders or those taking blood-thinning medications should not take NAC as it may slow blood clotting.
