What is NAC?
N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) is a natural sulfur-containing amino acid derivative found in foods. It can also be obtained in supplement form at your local health food store. Research shows that NAC has a positive impact on the immune system and has been used with success for many years to treat bronchopulmonary diseases.
Antioxidant and Free Radical Scavenger
NAC is a powerful antioxidant and free radical scavenger. Antioxidants are a group of nutrients that defuse the free radicals created in our body every moment. In the 1960s several sulfur containing compounds such as cysteine and glutathione were found to protect against nuclear radiation. And as early as the 1970s Dr. Richard Passwater made the connection between sulfur-containing compounds and free radicals. "I reasoned that the same mechanism of action would make them excellent free-radical scavengers as well."
NAC's sulfur content helps to protect cells against oxidative stress. NAC is also precursor to glutathione, the primary defense against intracellular oxidative damage.
Importance of Glutathione
Glutathione is vital in the body's antioxidant defense system. Adequate levels of glutathione may protect against atherosclerosis, cataracts, macular degeneration and some liver diseases. Although some supplements contain glutathione, it is preferable to take a precursor such as NAC, to raise glutathione levels, because most supplementary glutathione is hydrolyzed in the gastrointestinal tract prior to absorption.
NAC increases tissue levels of glutathione and is less expensive. "Consequently, when attempting to raise tissue glutathione levels, giving NAC may be preferable to administering glutathione itself." Vitamin C may increase glutathione levels. Nine healthy people on a Vitamin C-restricted diet took 500 mg/day of ascorbic acid. After two weeks blood glutathione levels rose by 50%.
Immune Enhancer
As a precursor to glutathione, NAC enhances immune function. Intracellular glutathione affects how T-and B-lymphocyte cells - the principal cells of lymph - function. "Glutathione also enhances the activity of the white blood cells, particularly in the phagocytes, whose job it is to devour invading molecules and microorganisms." Detoxifier NAC protects against the toxic effects of some heavy metals including mercury, lead, and cadmium. It has a protective effect against some herbicides, various environmental pollutants like carbon tetrachloride and urethane as well as microorganisms such as aflatoxin and E. coli.
The sulfur in this nutrient detoxifies because sulfur is found in NAC, (as well as in cysteine and glutathione) in the form of sulfhydryl groups. They sulfhydryl groups react directly with the toxins by tying them up in the gut. "They also offer second-line and third-line defenses in the liver and various individual cells. Sulfhydryl groups also help remove toxins indirectly via an enzyme system called the PASO system." NAC's role as a detoxifier and antioxidant makes it useful in the fight against certain cancers. It reduces the toxic effects of some chemotherapy drugs. It has also been very successful in treatment of acetominophen (Tylenol) overdose and has proven effective against alcohol-induced gastric ulcers. Heart Disease High levels of the lipoprotein Lp(a) is one of the two most accurate heart disease indicators.(The other is low Vitamin E levels in blood. Low levels of Vitamin E indicate a greater chance for hear disease.) 7 NAC has proved most effective in lowering Lp(a) levels.
Studies show that NAC can reduce Lp(a) levels up to 70%. It also prevents heart damage by quenching free radicals produced after a heart attack and by preventing the oxidation of low density lipoproteins. Bronchopulmonary Disorders "NAC has been used for 30 years to break up mucus in persons having bronchopulmonary disease including chronic bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, asthma, sinusitis and pneumonia." It reduces the viscosity of the mucous. Optimal Intake In normal food supplementation ranges, NAC has no known toxicity. When it is used to treat specific problems, such as acetominophen overdose, there may be some adverse reactions such as nausea and vomiting. Keep in mind that NAC must be given in large quantities to produce these reactions. Doses of 500 milligrams to four gram daily in physician-supervised tests did not produce adverse effects. Source: Natural Factors
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Scientific References
- Passwater. Richmond A., Whole Foods, March 1992 :56-58, "NAC: New Research for an old nutrient."
- Johnston, C.S. et. al., American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1993, 58: 103-105.
- Ibid.
- Rosenbaum, Michael E. & Dominick Bosco, Super Supplements. Signet books. 1989.
- Passwater, Richard A., Whole Foods, March 1992, pages 56-58, "MAC: News Research for an old nutrient."
- Townsend Letter for Doctors, July 1993 pages 710-712.
- Gey., K. Fred, et al.; American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 1991.
- Passwater, Richard A., Whole Foods, March 1992 :56-58, "NAC: New Research for an old nutrient."
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