N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC) is a specially modified form of the amino acid cysteine, a powerful antioxidant and immune stimulant. Unlike pure cysteine, which can be neurotoxic in high doses, NAC is very safe. One of the most important attributes of NAC is that it is a precursor to glutathione, a key antioxidant for promoting liver detoxification. NAC stimulates glutathione synthesis in the body and oral supplementation with NAC has been found to raise glutathione levels. NAC has been used since the 1960's in conventional medicine for respiratory illnesses, including chronic asthma and bronchitis, emphysema and TB. It has mucous thinning properties, that inhibits bacterial adhesion to mucous membranes. 60 Vegetarian Capsules
N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC) is a specially modified form of the amino acid cysteine, a powerful antioxidant and immune stimulant. Unlike pure cysteine, which can be neurotoxic in high doses, NAC is very safe. The acetyl part of the name N acetylcysteine denotes that the cysteine component is acetylated, meaning it is bonded to molecules called an "acetyl group" - these molecules are similar to the molecules that make up acetic acid, the chemical compound responsible for the characteristic odour and sour taste of vinegar. The end result is that NAC is better absorbed, more stable and safer than cysteine. One of the most important attributes of NAC is that it is a precursor to glutathione, a key antioxidant for promoting liver detoxification. NAC stimulates glutathione synthesis in the body and oral supplementation with NAC has been found to raise glutathione levels. NAC has been used since the 1960's in conventional medicine for respiratory illnesses, including chronic asthma and bronchitis, emphysema and TB. It has mucous thinning properties, that inhibits bacterial adhesion to mucous membranes - bacterial adherence is important to the persistence of bacteria in the airways. NAC also acts as an expectorant to clear mucus from the airways. Other studies further indicate that NAC can potentially benefit disease conditions characterised by decreased glutathione levels or oxidative stress, including heart disease, heavy metal toxicity, HIV infection, influenza and cancer. NAC has been shown to be of some value in treating cigarette smoking, hepatitis and myoclonus epilepsy. In the treatment of heart disease, studies show that NAC helps lower homocysteine, potentiates the activity of nitroglycerine and protects against ischemic and reperfusion damage, which can accompany stroke, myocardial infarction (heart attack) and surgery or transplantation.
