Cysteine is a conditional or semi-essential amino acid. You can find it in high-protein foods like beef, chicken, eggs, and whole grains.
Cysteine is a semi-essential amino acid because your body can produce it from two other amino acids: serine and methionine. If your body is deficient in either of these amino acids, supplementing with cysteine may become crucial.
N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) is a supplement form of cysteine. Your body can't make it and it's not found in food, but it still plays an important role. Like cysteine, NAC combines with glutamine and glycine to form glutathione, a powerful antioxidant. Glutathione performs many functions in your body, such as helping to maintain your immune system.
NAC supplements can help fill in the gaps in your natural cysteine levels, ensuring you have what you need.
health benefits
One of the most important jobs of NAC is to help your body replenish its glutathione stores. As one of the body's most potent antioxidants, glutathione helps eliminate cell-damaging free radicals.
Reducing oxidative stress helps reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and infertility.
NAC does more than just help with glutathione production. Other benefits of this nutrient include:
Liver and kidney detoxification
NAC plays a role in detoxification of the kidneys and liver. It can help prevent potential side effects from medications and environmental factors (such as exposure to heavy metals) that may affect these organs.
If you overdose on acetaminophen, your doctor will usually give you NAC intravenously to reduce damage to your liver and kidneys.
Improve symptoms of respiratory problems
NAC supplements can help people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by improving symptoms and controlling declining lung function. The supplement may also help reduce the severity of wheezing and coughing in people with bronchitis.
Improve immune health
There aren't many studies on NAC and the immune system, but current research suggests that it and glutathione may help improve your immune function. Most studies have focused on NAC and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals.
Some research suggests that this supplement may help inhibit HIV-1 reproduction. Test-tube studies also suggest that NAC may help prevent influenza viruses from replicating, possibly shortening their lifespan and symptoms.
Insulin resistance in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome
Research shows NAC may help improve insulin resistance, which can help regulate blood sugar levels. The study involved human subjects with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal condition that may affect women of childbearing age.
healthy brain function
NAC helps replenish glutathione levels in the body. It also helps regulate glutamate. These features may help improve brain health and benefit people with diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
mental health management
NAC may help treat mental illness and addictive behaviors. Some studies suggest NAC can help improve symptoms of depression and bipolar disorder.
Other research suggests that this supplement may help reduce withdrawal symptoms in addicts and reduce the risk of relapse.
Reduce risk of heart disease
Test-tube studies suggest that a combination of NAC and green tea may help reduce the damage caused by oxidized LDL cholesterol, a risk factor for heart disease. NAC also helps boost the production of nitric oxide, which improves blood flow and reduces the risk of heart attacks.
Improve fertility
NAC may help improve fertility in both men and women. One study found that men who supplemented with both NAC and selenium had improved semen quality. NAC may also help improve fertility in women with PCOS.
health risks
While N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) does provide important health benefits, there are some potential risks to keep in mind.
blood clotting slowly
NAC may impair blood clotting. You should avoid taking NAC supplements if you have a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia or are taking blood-thinning medications.
drug interactions
NAC has few known drug interactions. However, it may interfere with medications for angina and diabetes. NAC may potentiate the effects of nitroglycerin, causing dizziness and fainting. For people with diabetes, hypoglycemia may result.
Quantity and dosage
Since your body can produce cysteine, there are no dietary recommendations. Many protein-rich foods contain the nutrients your body needs to produce protein.
NAC supplements can help fill in any gaps and help increase cysteine levels. However, these supplements have low bioavailability, which means they are not well absorbed by the body.
