The synthetic version of the amino acid called cysteine is found in N-acetylcysteine supplements (NAC). Cysteine is basically a non-essential (or semi-essential) amino acid. This implies that you obtain some of what your body requires from food, and some of it is produced in your body. There are numerous claims regarding the advantages of the best NAC supplements for situations like respiratory illnesses, mental health issues, and heart diseases. While some are supported by early research, others are still being discussed in the medical community.
The fact that your body can generate cysteine from two additional amino acids, methionine, and serine, makes it a semi-essential amino acid. Supplementing with cysteine may be necessary if your body is deficient in these two amino acids. To create glutathione, a potent antioxidant, NAC forms connections with glutamine and glycine. Your body uses glutathione for a variety of purposes, including maintaining your immune system. NAC pills can assist in bridging any gaps in your natural cysteine levels and help you maintain healthy levels of the amino acid.
The Science Behind NAC
NAC is the supplement form of cysteine, a non-essential amino acid found in high-protein meals consisting of poultry, beans, and lentils. Amino acids, including cysteine, are frequently referred to as the basic components of protein and are crucial for a number of bodily functions, including muscle growth and immune system regulation.
NAC functions as a precursor to the production of glutathione, a potent antioxidant that guards against cellular harm caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable atoms that tear down cells and do significant harm to them, paving the way for deadly diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s. Those free radicals are neutralized by antioxidants (like glutathione). In other terms, NAC Canada can protect cells across the body from damage.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Taking NAC Supplements?
Your body needs glutathione to function optimally, and NAC plays a crucial role in replenishing its levels. Glutathione, one of your body’s most effective antioxidants, aids in the elimination of free radicals that might harm your cells. Your chance of acquiring chronic illnesses, including diabetes, heart diseases, and infertility, can be decreased by reducing oxidative stress. NAC contributes to glutathione synthesis but does more. The nutrient also has the following advantages:
Strengthens Your Immune System
According to several studies, NAC may enhance immune function by eliminating virus cells or preventing their multiplication. According to a recent study, NAC supplementation significantly enhanced the immune system and natural killer cells of HIV patients. According to another study, NAC may prevent the spread of infections like the flu, potentially reducing their lifespan.
It is seen that the gut microbiota influences glutathione metabolism, which controls antioxidant metabolism. Your gut is built and strengthened by the amino acids from the NAC supplement. Your immunity reflects the condition of your gut health. Hence maintaining a healthy gut biome is always advised.
Improves Lung Health
NAC is frequently used to help patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD fight long-term lung damage. NAC increases glutathione levels in your lungs, lowers lung and bronchial inflammation, and thins mucus in the airways. According to certain experts, NAC may even be able to lessen COVID-19 infectivity and prevent its lethality.
A number of clinical trials are being conducted to evaluate its efficiency in treating coronavirus patients. Apart from that, it is seen to improve overall lung capacity and also help increase stamina. It’s an excellent supplement to be consuming at this time, especially with the impending colder weather.
Detoxifies Kidneys And The Liver
NAC helps the body detoxify itself as well. Doctors frequently prescribe NAC to patients who have had an overdose of the painkiller acetaminophen, also known as Tylenol, to prevent kidney and liver damage. NAC is probably the only cure to such overdoses and has the least side effects.
You can use NAC to avoid the adverse consequences of exposure to sulfhydryl-reactive elements like mercury, lead, cadmium, and arsenic. These metals decrease glutathione, prevent the antioxidant benefits, and even have the potential to interfere with metabolism. How NAC might be able to mitigate these negative effects is still being researched across the globe.
Improve Fertility
Additionally, NAC is seen to improve fertility, particularly in men. Free radical damage and Low antioxidant activity in the reproductive system are common causes of male infertility problems. In one study, the majority of infertile men improved their fertility over the course of 26 weeks by taking supplements that included the nutrients NAC and selenium in the prescribed dosage.
By triggering or enhancing ovulation, NAC can help increase fertility in women suffering from polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). According to research, NAC may help these women’s insulin resistance, which would help control their blood sugar levels.
Assists With Psychiatric Disorders And Brain Function
As a result of NAC’s ability to control the levels of the neurotransmitter glutamate in the brain, memory, learning, and brain function may all be boosted. Normal brain function requires adequate quantities of glutamate. Still, excessive glutamate and insufficient glutathione levels can harm the brain, which may exacerbate mental health issues like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bipolar disorder, and addictive behavior.
Doctors do not typically prescribe NAC as a stand-alone medication for mental health issues, but recent research suggests that it may lessen OCD, bipolar disorder, and depression symptoms. According to some research, NAC may even have an effect on conditions like Alzheimer’s because glutathione lessens the oxidative damage that aging causes to brain cells.
Dosage
Since your body produces small amounts of cysteine, no particular diet is advised. You need enough vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and folate for your body to synthesize the amino acid cysteine. Beans, spinach, lentils, bananas, salmon, and tuna all contain these nutrients.
Although cysteine is present in the majority of protein-rich foods, including chicken, turkey, yogurt, eggs, cheese, sunflower seeds, and legumes, some people decide to supplement with NAC to boost their cysteine consumption.
As a dietary supplement, NAC has a low bioavailability, meaning the body absorbs it poorly. 600–1,800 mg of NAC is the generally accepted daily supplement prescription. NAC can be given intravenously, orally, as a liquid or a powder, or even as an aerosol spray.
Introducing NAC to your daily schedule can improve your general health and boost your immune system, as immune health remains a matter of primary concern in the ongoing pandemic. Healthy living requires putting food first as a source of nutrients.
Concluding Thoughts
The versatile supplement provides the body with a number of advantages, including serving as an antioxidant, boosting immune system defenses, and promoting fertility, liver detoxification, and even muscular repair. One advantage of the NAC vitamin is particularly that it might help treat chronic respiratory disorders. According to preliminary studies, this may be essential for preventing, supporting, and treating COVID-19 patients.
Healthy levels of cysteine in your body will be maintained if you eat more protein-rich meals, including chicken, turkey, yogurt, eggs, cheese, and lentils. However, there are situations when a supplement is required. But remember to consult a doctor or dietary expert who can prescribe the recommended dosage of NAC supplement Canada based on your current health situation and medical conditions, if any.