3 Reasons to Supplement with NAC

Paula Gallagher on
Supplementing with NAC can be healthy for your heart.

N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) is an amino acid that acts as an antioxidant and is a precursor in the body to glutathione, a critical antioxidant. Glutathione works in the liver to change chemicals and metabolic byproducts into harmless substances for excretion from the body. NAC is a much more cost effective way to boost glutathione levels and is also an antioxidant in its own right. It detoxifies heavy metals like mercury, cadmium and lead.

There are many other benefits to supplemental NAC. Here are 3 conditions where NAC may be supportive.

    1. Heart Disease

    Research has pinpointed a specific lipoprotein called Lp(a) as one of the two most reliable indicators of heart disease. Lp(a) is a much more reliable indicator than blood cholesterol levels, low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, or the ratio of LDL to HDL.

      Diets and drugs designed to lower blood cholesterol levels do not lower Lp(a) levels. Research as indicated that NAC may be one of the most effective nutrients known to lower Lp(a) levels. NAC reduced Lp(a) levels by 70%. LP(a) is comprised of an LDL particle attached to the large glycoprotein apo(a) by one or more disulfide bonds. NAC breaks up the disulfide bonds by converting each disulfide group into two sulphydryl groups.

      NAC also inhibits heart damage by preventing LDL from being oxidized, by reducing plasma homocysteine levels and by free-radical quenching effects. NAC protects against ischaemic and reperfusion damage. NAC also potentiates the coronary dilating and anti-platelet effects of nitroglycerine, as well as limiting the development of tolerance to nitroglycerine. Finally, ST-depression, a clinical sign of myocardial ischaemia, was not seen following pretreatment with NAC, suggesting attenuation of impaired tissue oxygenation and preservation of myocardial performance by NAC.

        2. Detoxification & Chelator

        Sulphydryl groups protect against toxins. SH groups react directly with many poisons, including herbicides, drugs (acetaminophen), environmental pollutants such as carbon tetrachloride, microorganisms including E. coli and aflatoxin, and against heavy metals. Indirectly, NAC helps with detoxification by producing optimal amounts of glutathione for conjugation reactions, making harmful compounds less toxic. NAC is approved as a drug for use to prevent liver damage from acetaminophen overdose.

            3. Respiratory Effects

            NAC has been used for years as a mucolytic in persons having bronchopulmonary diseases including chronic bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, asthma, sinusitis and pneumonia. NAC helps reduce the viscosity of mucus so that it may be more easily coughed up. It accomplishes this by converting the disulphide bond of the mucoproteins into sulphydryl bonds and cleaving the mucoproteins into smaller molecules.

              Please consult with a health care professional before taking any new supplement to ensure proper dosage. To learn more about NAC and other supplements, contact Village Green Apothecary.

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