Cysteine is one of three amino acids (along with glycine and glutamine) that makes up glutathione, an important super-antioxidant found in the body’s cells. Glutathione is considered the strongest of all antioxidants in the body and has a variety of functions in the body. Due to its spread throughout the body and its ability to support other antioxidants, it is known as a master antioxidant. [3,12]
Glutathione is an abundant and important antioxidant in the body and is broken down by exercise, normal aging, trauma, infections and contact with environmental toxins. Foods such as cruciferous plant proteins and whey proteins help maintain normal glutathione levels by absorbing glycine, glutamine, and cysteine which in turn builds up stores NAC when needed. NAC and glutathione are most concentrated in the liver and lungs. [5]
People with type 2 diabetes who have a low glutathione levels can use NAC supplementation to replenish glutathione the body needs [95]. In a study with 14 diabetics, Nac was taken orally in 1200 mg doses for one week, increased the glutathione’s in the platelets, normalized their activity and protected against heart disease [96]. [8]
Studies suggest that intravenous NAC can also increases glutathione levels which can help prevent
or treat lung damage caused by acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). In one study, administering NAC (procysteine, a synthetic amino acid) to people with ARDS reduced the severity of their ARDS. In a small clinical trial with HIV-positive patients taking daily NAC, NAC increased glutathione levels compared to placebo. [8]
A 2008 study comparing the immune function of postmenopausal and young women found that immune responses of women were greater than those of younger women when supplemented with NAC. 18 Glutathione levels were elevated in white blood cells of postmenopausal women taking NAC. [4]
Keeping glutathione levels high in the cells is of crucial importance for health and immunity. Maintaining adequate glutathione levels helps to optimize antioxidant levels, maintain immunity and respiratory health, support brain and liver health and increase the body’s ability to eliminate toxins. [2,4]
Glutathione plays a crucial role in male fertility, maintains adequate magnesium levels and supports healthy homocysteine and blood pressure levels. It is also a popular dietary supplement used by athletes and people who continue to exercise. Given its importance and the fact that infections and aging are common diseases that degrade glutathione levels, this means that many of us will benefit from supplementing with NAC. [4,11]
N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) has a number of unique clinical benefits, including reduction of homocysteine for cardio-protection, reduction of viral infections and use as a mucolytic agent. New findings suggest that the immune imbalance of NAC may influence viral replication and compensate for autoimmunity, an effect that is independent of glutathione. Glutathione is involved in many cellular activities and processes, and because n-acetyl-cysteine increases the production of this antioxidant, researchers have studied its use in a variety of diseases. [1,3]
Oral glutathione has poor bioavailability, and taking NAC is considered “the” way around this problem. It can not be said to many times, NAC can help the body protect itself from toxins and pollutants by increasing glutathione levels and oxidative stress. [0]
Antioxidants play a crucial role in fighting inflammation and fighting viral infections. Vitamins C, E, glutathione, n-acetyl-L-cysteine and antioxidants have antiviral effects against respiratory infections and influenza, which may help against Cd 19. An Italian study has shown that glutathione’s are particularly useful in preventing serious respiratory diseases in elderly patients. [2]
A review in April 2020 by the Center for Evidence-Based Medicine (CEBM) at the University of Oxford found that few clinical trials supported the use of glutathione as a supplement for viral infections. [2]
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a dietary supplement that can help you increase your performance and slow down your ageing process. Advocates claim that taking an N-acetylcysteine supplement can protect against a host of health problems including respiratory disease, liver disease, psychiatric disorders, diabetes, certain cancers and chemical dependence. One can take 1000mg up to 3 times a day to maintain good health and wellness. [10,12]
Cited Sources
- https://selfhacked.com/blog/nac-top-43-science-based-health-benefits-n-acetyl-cysteine-nac/ 0
- https://www.mdlinx.com/article/is-this-the-one-supplement-everyone-should-be-taking/6iRaRpstHrVf6AEdrPpA8z 1
- https://drjewilliams.com/glutathione-and-nac-reduce-the-severity-of-covid-19/ 2
- https://aor.ca/glutathione-harness-the-most-potent-antioxidant-in-your-body/ 3
- https://www.nordicnaturals.com/healthy-science/benefits-of-glutathione-and-nac/ 4
- https://www.thorne.com/take-5-daily/article/everything-you-need-to-know-about-nac-from-the-lungs-to-the-liver 5
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2129149/ 6
- https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/quackery-you-asked/supplements-increase-glutathione-body 7
- https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/supplement/cysteine 8
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/nac-benefits 9
- https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-benefits-of-n-acetylcysteine-89416 10
- https://biomedres.us/fulltexts/BJSTR.MS.ID.002293.php 11
- https://www.bulletproof.com/supplements/dietary-supplements/nac-benefits/ 12
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