A NAC for Health
A NAC for health!
By Daniel Rocha
CMI and SUNM Graduate
N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a precursor of the antioxidant glutathione, has many uses for one’s health, including loosening thick mucus in the lungs, treating acetaminophen overdose, boosting the immune system, suppressing viral replication, and reducing inflammation. NAC improves insulin resistance, increases ovulation and pregnancy occurrence in women with PCOS, and is beneficial for treating psychological disorders like OCD and addiction.
L-cysteine HCL is bound to hydrochloride to assist in absorption and promote higher glutathione levels in the body. Like NAC, L-cysteine HCL decreases inflammation, improves digestion, boosts immune and lung health, and promotes calm and feelings of well-being. L-cysteine HCL improves natural collagen production within the body. The downside is L-cysteine is sourced from animal proteins so that vegans may search for plant-based sources.
In 1997, De Flora et al. demonstrated that oral administration of NAC at 600mg significantly improved cell-mediated immunity, shifting from energy to normoergy in seniors. Anergy is a lack of reaction from immune cells to foreign substances, such as bacteria and viruses. NAC treatment decreased the frequency of influenza, its severity, and duration of symptoms.
Can NAC administration benefit COVID-19 patients?
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is inexpensive with low toxicity, has been FDA approved for many years with the potential to improve therapeutic strategies for COVID-19. NAC administered intravenously, orally, or inhaled, suppresses SARS-CoV-2 replication. Potential therapeutic benefits of NAC include extracellularly scavenging ROS radicals, replenishing intracellular GSH, suppression of cytokine storm, and T cell protection, thus mitigating inflammation and tissue injury. NAC administration in combination with other antiviral agents dramatically reduces hospital admission rate, mechanical ventilation, and mortality.
So why is it being banned? Because supplements are not supposed to cure disease. This essential amino acid is curing disease, so now it will be labeled a drug and will require a prescription soon. We will see how this unfolds. Stock up now while it's available.
Shi, Z., & Puyo, C. A. (2020, November 2). N-acetylcysteine to combat COVID-19: An evidence review. Therapeutics and clinical risk management. Retrieved October 19, 2021, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7649937/.
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