Description
NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine)
What Is It?
N-Acetyl-l-Cysteine (NAC) is a derivative of the dietary amino acid l-cysteine. NAC has a high affinity for lung tissue, which it supports through mucolytic and antioxidant action. NAC also enhances glutathione production which may play a role in heavy metal detoxification.*
Uses For NAC
Immune And Respiratory System Health:
When mucus thickens, it can become difficult to expel. Due to its sulfur content, NAC is able to disrupt disulfide bonds, thinning the mucus so that it, along with the trapped particles and bacteria, are more easily expelled from the lungs. NAC is a powerful free radical scavenger and thus supports epithelial cell health and healthy cilia activity in the respiratory tract. NAC is also a precursor to the antioxidant glutathione. Supplemental NAC increases tissue levels of glutathione. Lymphocytes, specific components of the immune system, rely on glutathione to function properly. Tissues enhanced with glutathione support overall antioxidant protection and help to maintain a healthy immune response. A multicenter, randomized, double blind trial with 262 participants indicated that NAC supplementation for 6 months supported upper respiratory tract and immune system health. A recent meta-analysis of 8 double blind, placebo controlled trials provided additional support for NAC’s ability to support respiratory tract health.*
