NAC

NAC Benefits

According to author Jack Challem in "Feed Your Genes Right: Eat To Turn Off Disease-Causing Genes and Slow Down Aging," NAC is a chemical precursor of several other compounds. Glutiathone--and several compounds of glutiathone--are created by the body's processes. Glutiathone's antioxidant abilities helps protect the body from free radicals. Additionally, the author considers NAC a cancer-protective compound.

Dr. Mark Hyman, published on The Huffington Post blog, said that glutiathone, made from NAC, is "the most important molecule you can use.”

Author Debi Davis of "Beyond Atkins: The Hormone Diet, the Only Sound Weight Loss Solution" recommends NAC for weight training enthusiasts. Rigorous weight training creates muscle stress. Exercise creates higher levels of free radicals. NAC helps to protect the weight trainer from free radicals and supports the building of more lean muscle. The author recommends a complete regimen and a variety of nutritional supplements. 

NAC may also help people with serious diseases, including HIV and AIDS. According to J. Lyn Patrick, N.D., NAC supplementation helps increase glutiathone production and subsequent immunity.

NAC and glutiathone may help people with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. The National Institutes of Health announced a study of NAC and a rare childhood disease called Niemann Pick Type C.

NAC supplementation helps people with liver damage after a drug-related overdose, cancer and HIV or AIDS. If you suffer from bronchial or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), NAC supplementation may help you. 

Mark Stengler, author of “The Natural Physician’s Healing Therapies” (2010) uses NAC for prevention and recovery from colds and flu, bronchitis and general disease prevention. He says that NAC is used as an epilepsy treatment.

NAC Side Effects

Taking NAC supplements by mouth can cause stomach upset, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, according to RxList. People also report constipation problems after using NAC supplements. NAC’s unpleasant smell may make some people queasy. Don’t take NAC on an empty stomach if you experience any kind of gastric distress.

Occasionally, headaches result from using NAC supplements. (Studies of NAC by researchers at the University of Copenhagen suggest that NAC doesn’t relieve headaches.) Low blood or drowsiness pressure may result from using NAC supplements. Tell your doctor about any symptoms you experience as a result of taking oral NAC supplements.

NAC Drug Interactions

Don’t use NAC in combination with nitroglycerine medicines. NAC may increase your body’s uptake of nitroglycerine. Lower blood pressure and dizziness can result from this interaction.

Use NAC and activated charcoal with care. NAC is sometimes prescribed for drug overdose. If you’re in a doctor’s care, follow his instructions about using NAC with any medication.

NAC Considerations

Don’t take NAC if you’re pregnant or nursing a baby. Don’t use NAC if you’ve got asthma unless your doctor recommends it. Don’t self-treat with NAC or any supplement or medicine. Ask your doctor about medical tests to determine your need to use NAC, amino acids or glutiathone supplements.

NAC Dosage

According to RxList, use NAC in these instances under a doctor’s care:

• Use 600 mg of NAC, three times per day with a nitroglycerine patch for chest pain
• Use 200 mg, two or three times per day for bronchial problems
• Use NAC 10 to 20 percent solutions delivered by IV for acetaminophen overdose. High doses of acetaminophen, such as brand-name Tylenol, cause liver damage.
• Use 200 mg. of NAC four times per day to assist skin healing for issues that result from hemodialysis treatments.
• Use 1,200 to 2,400 mg/day to treat trichotillomania, or hair-pulling.
• According to author Mark Stengler, use 600 mg of NAC, twice per day for onset of cold and flu, or cold and flu prevention. Use 300 to 600 mg/day for general disease prevention. Use 2,400 to 3,000 mg/day for bronchitis.

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