Free Shipping for orders over 39 €

Home/Blog/Integration/NAC (N-acetyl cysteine) the 9 health benefits

33 di 53

NAC (N-acetyl cysteine) the 9 health benefits

May 18, 2021 Maximilian C.Integration

NAC (N-acetyl cysteine) the 9 health benefits

Cysteine is a semi-essential amino acid. It is considered semi-essential because your body can make it from other amino acids, namely methionine and serine. It becomes essential only when the dietary intake of methionine and serine is low. Cysteine is found in most high-protein foods, such as chicken, turkey, yogurt, cheese, eggs, sunflower seeds, and legumes. N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is a supplement form of cysteine. Consuming adequate cysteine and NAC is important for a variety of health reasons, including replenishing the body's most powerful antioxidant, glutathione. These amino acids also help with chronic respiratory conditions, fertility, and brain health.

Here are the 9 main health benefits of NAC.

1. Essential for producing the powerful antioxidant glutathione

NAC is valued primarily for its role in the production of antioxidants. Along with two other amino acids - glutamine and glycine - NAC is needed to produce and replenish glutathione. Glutathione is one of the body's most important antioxidants, which helps neutralize free radicals that can damage the body's cells and tissues. It is essential for immune health and for fighting cell damage. Some researchers believe it may even contribute to longevity. Its antioxidant properties are also important in fighting numerous other ailments caused by oxidative stress, such as heart disease, infertility and some psychiatric conditions.

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

NAC plays an important role in your body's detoxification process.

It can help prevent the side effects of drugs and environmental toxins. In fact, doctors regularly administer intravenous (IV) NAC to people with an overdose of acetaminophen to prevent or reduce kidney and liver damage. NAC also has applications for other liver diseases due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.

3. It can improve psychiatric disorders and addictive behavior

NAC helps regulate the levels of glutamate, the most important neurotransmitter in the brain. While glutamate is required for normal brain action, excess glutamate associated with glutathione depletion can cause brain damage. This can contribute to mental health conditions, such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and addictive behavior.

For people with bipolar disease and depression, NAC can help reduce symptoms and improve overall ability to function. Additionally, research suggests it may play a role in the treatment of moderate to severe OCD. NAC supplements can also help reduce withdrawal symptoms and prevent relapse in cocaine addicts. Furthermore, preliminary studies show that NAC can reduce the use and cravings of marijuana and nicotine. Many of these disorders have limited or currently ineffective treatment options. NAC can be an effective help for people with these conditions.

4. Helps relieve symptoms of respiratory conditions

NAC can relieve symptoms of respiratory conditions by acting as an antioxidant and expectorant, dissolving mucus in the airways. As an antioxidant, NAC helps replenish glutathione levels in the lungs and reduces inflammation in the bronchi and lung tissue. People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experience long-term oxidative damage and inflammation of the lung tissue, which causes the airways to narrow, resulting in shortness of breath and cough. NAC supplements have been used to improve COPD symptoms, exacerbations, and pulmonary decline. In a one-year study, 600 mg of NAC twice daily significantly improved lung function and symptoms in those with stable COPD. Those with chronic bronchitis can also benefit from NAC.

Bronchitis occurs when the mucous membranes in the bronchial passages of the lungs become inflamed, swollen, and close the airways to the lungs. By thinning mucus in the bronchi and increasing glutathione levels, NAC can help reduce the severity and rate of wheezing, coughing, and respiratory attacks.

In addition to relieving COPD and bronchitis, NAC can improve other lung and airway conditions such as cystic fibrosis, asthma, and pulmonary fibrosis, as well as symptoms of nasal and sinus congestion due to allergies or infections.

5. Improve brain health by regulating glutamate and replenishing glutathione

NAC's ability to replenish glutathione and regulate brain glutamate levels can boost brain health. The brain neurotransmitter glutamate is involved in a wide range of learning, behavior and memory actions, while the antioxidant glutathione helps reduce the oxidative damage to brain cells associated with aging. Since NAC helps regulate glutamate levels and replenish glutathione, it can benefit those with brain and memory disorders.

The neurological disorder Alzheimer's disease slows down a person's learning and memory capacity. Studies suggest that NAC can slow the loss of cognitive ability in people with Alzheimer's. Another brain condition, Parkinson's disease, is characterized by the deterioration of the cells that generate the neurotransmitter dopamine. Both oxidative damage to cells and a decrease in antioxidant capacity contribute to this disease. NAC supplements appear to improve both dopamine function and disease symptoms such as tremors.

Although the NAC can improve brain health , more human research is needed to draw strong conclusions.

6. It can improve fertility in both men and women

About 15% of all couples trying to conceive are affected by infertility. In nearly half of these cases, male infertility is the main contributing factor. Many male infertility problems increase when antioxidant levels are insufficient to fight free radical formation in the reproductive system. Oxidative stress can cause cell death and impaired fertility. In some cases, NAC has been shown to improve male fertility.

One condition that contributes to male infertility is varicocele, when the veins within the scrotum become enlarged due to free radical damage. Surgery is the main treatment.

In one study, 35 men with varicocele received 600 mg of NAC per day for three months after surgery. The combination of surgery and NAC supplement improved sperm integrity and the partner's pregnancy rate by 22% compared to the control group. Another study in 468 men with infertility found that supplementing with 600 mg of NAC and 200 mcg of selenium for 26 weeks he improved the quality of the sperm. Researchers have suggested that this combination supplement should be considered as a treatment option for male infertility.

Additionally, NAC can improve the fertility in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) by inducing or increasing the ovulation cycle.

7. It can stabilize blood sugar by decreasing inflammation in fat cells

High blood sugar and obesity contribute to inflammation of the fatty tissue. This can cause damage or destruction of insulin receptors and increase the risk of getting type 2 diabetes. Studies show that NAC can stabilize blood sugar by decreasing inflammation in fat cells and thereby improving insulin resistance. When insulin receptors are intact and healthy, they properly remove sugar from the blood, keeping levels within normal limits.

However, keep in mind that human research on NAC is needed to confirm these effects on blood glucose control.

8. Can reduce the risk of heart disease by preventing oxidative damage

Oxidative damage to heart tissue often leads to heart disease, leading to strokes, heart attacks, and other serious conditions.

NAC can reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing oxidative damage to the heart's tissues. It has also been shown to increase nitric oxide production, which helps the veins dilate and improves blood flow. This speeds up the return of blood to the heart and can reduce the risk of heart attacks. Interestingly, a test tube study showed that when combined with green tea , NAC appears to reduce damage from oxidized "bad" LDL cholesterol, another contributing factor to heart disease

9. The ability to raise glutathione levels can improve immune function

NAC and glutathione also boost immune health.

Research on some diseases associated with NAC and glutathione deficiency suggests that immune function could be improved - and potentially restored - by supplementing with NAC. This factor has been studied more in people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

In two studies, supplementing with NAC led to a significant increase in immune function - with an almost complete restoration of natural killer cells. High levels of NAC in the body can also suppress the reproduction of HIV-1. A test-tube study indicated that in other immunocompromised situations, such as influenza, NAC can hinder the virus's ability to replicate. This could potentially reduce the symptoms and duration of the disease. Similarly, other test-tube studies have linked NAC to the death of cancer cells and blocked the replication of cancer cells. Overall, more human studies are needed. Therefore, be sure to speak to your doctor before taking NAC while being treated for cancer

dosage

There is no specific diet recommendation for cysteine because your body can produce small amounts of it. In order for your body to produce 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, turkey, yogurt, cheese, eggs , sunflower seeds and legumes contain cysteine, some people choose to supplement with NAC to increase cysteine intake.

NAC has low bioavailability as an oral supplement, which means it is not well absorbed. The accepted daily supplement recommendation is 600-1,800 mg of NAC. NAC can be given as a drip or taken orally, as an aerosol spray, or in liquid or powder form.

Effetti collaterali

NAC is likely safe for adults when supplied as a prescription drug.

However, high amounts can cause it nausea , vomiting, diarrhea and constipation. If inhaled, it can cause swelling of the mouth, runny nose, drowsiness and chest tightness. People with bleeding disorders or taking blood-thinning medications should not take NAC, as it may slow blood clotting. NAC has an unpleasant odor which makes it difficult to consume. If you choose to take it, consult your doctor first.

NAC plays several important roles in human health. Renowned for its ability to replenish antioxidant glutathione levels, it also regulates the important brain neurotransmitter glutamate. Additionally, NAC helps the body's detoxification system. These features make NAC supplements a viable treatment option for multiple health problems. See your doctor to see if NAC can improve your health.

REFERENCES:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/p...

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/b...

https://www.sciencedirect.com/...

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/p...

https://link.springer.com/arti...

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/p...

https://www.tandfonline.com/do...

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/p...

http://erj.ersjournals.com/con...

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/p...