NAC, N-Acetyl Cysteine and Cysteine

Updated August 7, 2022

Amino Acids

NAC is an amazing nutrient that is also used as a drug. It is a derivative of a natural amino acid cysteine, which will also be the focus of this post.

NAC is preferred to cysteine, in general, because of some of its special features.  However, some people do better with cysteine depending upon the situation.

The main functions of NAC (and cysteine) are:

    • helps with detox by enabling the liver re-generate glutathione, the major detoxifier of the body
    • helps thin mucus in the lungs in cystic fibrosis and pneumonia
    • helps brain function in mental illness
    • helps fight acute infections

NAC is used in cases of Tylenol overdose to save the liver. If it is administered within a few hours after overdose, it can completely protect the liver. Otherwise the liver can be severely damaged and require transplant.

As seen in the references below, it can be used for general detox in cases of known or presumed toxicity, such as petro-chemicals, Roundup, fluoroquinones and other chemicals).

By thinning mucus, it can worsen stomach acid complaints so it should be taken with food or the dosage may need to be adjusted.

Related Links

Sulfur

Alpha Lipoic Acid

References

cysteine_pdr.r

indications for nac from fluoroquinone toxicity

Deciphering-the-interplay-between-cysteine-synthase-and-thiol…2017

N-Acetylcysteine Supplementation Decreases Osteoclast Differentiation and Increases Bone Mass in Mice Fed a High-Fat Die.r.

N-acetyl-L-cysteine increases MnSOD activity and enhances the recruitment of quiescent human fibroblasts to the proliferation cycle during wound healing.r

Superoxide signaling mediates N-acetyl-L-cysteine-induced G1 arrest–regulatory role of cyclin D1 and manganese superoxide dismutase

Thiol redox transitions in cell signaling–a lesson from N-acetylcysteine.r

Thiol-based antioxidant supplementation alters human skeletal muscle signaling and attenuates its inflammatory response and recovery after intense eccentric exercise.r

Topical N-Acetylcysteine Accelerates Wound Healing in Vitro and in Vivo via the PKC-Stat3 Pathway.r

!Updated clinical practice guidelines for the prevention and treatment of mucositis( review nac last ref) cysteine_pdr effect_of_cysteine_on_acetaldehyde_self_administration.r

N-Acetylcysteine Supplementation Decreases Osteoclast Differentiation and Increases Bone Mass in Mice Fed a High-Fat Die.r.