NAC, N-Acetyl Cysteine and Cysteine

Updated July 2, 2023

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.

As a nutriceutical, 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. NAC contains sulfur, a premier element used for detoxificatioin due to its “stickiness”.

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.

It is also available as a prescirbed nebulizer solution, brand name Mucomyst, to help with thick lung secretions.

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.

NAC for COVID

References

cysteine_pdr

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 Diet

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

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

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

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

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

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

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