N-Acetylcysteine (NAC)

Yeah I'm sure I'll be fine.

 

Is NAC in tablet form the same NAC as the fizzy tablets you use for better coughing?

 

If you are talking about PharmaNAC effervescent tablets, then yes. But they have been discontinued.

 

Why was PharmaNAC discontinued?

 

Ok, in Germany we still have those effervescent tablets and even granules that you can take without water. They are for coughing, but I'd rather take those then some sketchy brand's, because they are for sale in pharmacies officially.

Those NAC tablets from Amazon apparently have QC issues such as mold etc. forming inside the tablets. I've never seen those in German pharmacy products.

 

Not sure. But the effervescent tablets are the most stable form of NAC.

 

What is the brand name of the effervescent tablet you use?

 

Unfortunately, it was PharmaNAC. It was discontinued a few years ago and I have yet to find an alternate source.

 

I think the fact that each tablet usually comes separately sealed helps to stop them degrading. Most seem to contain aspartame though.

 

I have been using NAC for a long time, the only benefit I could find is that it regulated my liver enzymes to a normal level, they were higher for the last few years. I saw some posts here that NAC is better than L-cysteine. I am well aware that most publications use NAC to check its otoprotective capacity and so on.

However, I found a paper which claims that availability of cysteine for the cells is higher than NAC.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1134/S1990747809020081

I will order and try to use a higher dosage of BCAA that includes a high portion of L-cysteine.

 

My experience with NAC is that it works tremendously if you add Selenium. I can’t remember why I did it - but it makes a huge difference.

 

What is the amount of Selenium and NAC that you take? I'm going to try it.

 

Selenium, without looking at the periodic table, sounds like one of those scary radioactive elements on the bottom right that’ll make you grow a thumb out of your forehead

 

NAC helped to regulate my liver enzymes, but did not do anything for tinnitus.

 

Anyone know if NAC is known to contain lead like many other supplements? Having a really hard time finding good info about which supplements contain lead, and which ones don't. Might just stop taking them altogether unless I can find some solid info. :/

Currently taking Jarrow Formula's 500mg pills, not sure if this is a well known brand.

 

I got a huge spike from NAC when I took it yesterday evening. I hope it goes away eventually.

 

Selenium is a micronutrient, and is therefore essential to the functioning of your body in small amounts. It's an essential component in many of the antioxidant enzymes used to prevent excitotoxicity and cancer.

 

What's the current consensus on NAC? Are people still taking it? Is it having any effect? Do you notice the protective properties?

I am considering adding it to my regimen. I would love to hear any recommended brands or providers!

 

NAC is one of the few supplements I am still taking. It helped me well with the elevated liver enzymes at least. This was very nice and unexpected. Actually it protects my liver while I am drinking, this is incredible. No surprise it is clinically used to save the liver from fatal poisoning with Paracetamol.

However, no effect on tinnitus. On the other hand, it possibly can prevent further hearing loss due to oxidant damage, according to some animal studies.

 

Hey, Folks!

Hope you're all doing well!

I have a question I hope someone can answer.

I take NAC occasionally, and had been using the GNC brand. I liked this brand because it did not have a lot of fillers (only cellulose, as well as gelatin, which I assume was the capsule it is contained in; I always dumped the NAC in water and didn't swallow the capsule). I've recently run out, and GNC does not list their own brand on their internet page. I'm hesitant to go into the mall where the store is right now because of a rise in COVID-19 cases in my area.

So.

I'm trying to find a new brand that doesn't have a lot of fillers. I'm currently tapering off a benzo (second attempt!) and am cautious about taking any other kind of medication or supplement, although I do like to have NAC handy.

Can anyone recommend a brand that doesn't have a lot of other "stuff" in it? The GNC brand had no artificial colors or flavors, was sodium free, no wheat, gluten free, no soy or dairy, and no yeast. A lot of other brands I've looked at on Amazon seem to have other ingredients or fillers, but I'm not sure what they are, so am hesitant to order. Also, is there a "NAC equivalent" that I might find at the supermarket or pharmacy? (My grocery store and pharmacy don't carry NAC.)

Thanks for any information you might have, and stay safe!

Mystery Reader

 

Hi there!

The brand of NAC that I am using is the one from Thorne, which you may find here. The only other "additive" I see from this is the silicon dioxide. The same goes for the offering from Jarrow Formulas. Both of these organizations are generally well-regarded, so I don't think you should have much to worry about here unless you have a specific sensitivity to this additive.

There is also the one from Pure Encapsulations, shown here, that only has ascorbyl palmitate (vitamin C ester) as an additive.

Personally, I would not consider silicon dioxide or ascorbyl palmitate to be harmful, but then again I have not researched them that extensively. I don't think these producers would specifically use them if they were not safe and didn't serve some benefit. I'd probably be more skeptical of the more general or unknown brands.

 

@Drachen

Hi!

Thanks so much for your reply. I will check out the brands you mentioned in your post, and thank you for recommending them. Hope you are doing well!

Mystery Reader

 

Surprisingly I have not tried this supplement yet. Have you noticed any, if even minimal, improvement from using it?

I know NAC is highly recommended on the forum.

Although I've read that it may prevent tinnitus, not treat or improve it.

Curious what your experience has been.

 

I have not yet reintroduced it after having halted all my supplements (besides Magnesium and Melatonin) a couple weeks ago, so I can't definitely speak to its effect. I do know, based on research, that it is primarily a tool to protect your hearing. Not sure I've seen many people claim a reduction in their symptom, but it may very well be possible. It's mostly one of those things I want to use to ensure this never gets any worse.

Sorry I can't be of much help here! At the moment, the only supplements I can extol are the Magnesium Glycinate and Melatonin. Zinc is something I had been taking before onset and have started again, but that was for other things, and I do notice benefits with it.

 

I understand. I had actually started taking Zinc and Vitamin D a couple months prior to my tinnitus onset. Trying to boost my COVID-19 immunity. Little did I know COVID-19 was the least of my troubles... I may get a hold of some later on. Currently I'm only taking Magnesium Oxide with Ashwagandha and Fish Oil. I cut all other supplements a couple weeks ago when I started the Prozac.

 

Not a bad idea! The whole world could benefit from some COVID-19 immunity. Maybe then things would all go back to normal?

I do recommend that you stop using the Magnesium Oxide and elect for a better alternative. That is almost universally regarded as the worst and least bioavailable form for this supplement. I would advise, if you have the time, to stroll through the Magnesium thread here on the forum and figure out which version is best for you. Given your sleep troubles, I would personally vouch for Magnesium Glycinate.

 

I've been experimenting with NAC lately and I've come across an interesting phenomenon which I can't quite explain. I call it "NAC eyes". Whenever I take NAC, the next day, I notice that my eyesight is sharper and better, and I have to strain less to see things that are far away. I'm short-sighted and wear glasses.

Anybody have experience with this or a clue what this is?

 

NAC is one of the amino acids that make up the tri-peptide (3 amino acids) glutathione, which is the body's foremost detoxification antioxidant, and which is able to make in the liver. A doctor I saw at one time used to work in the ER, and he told me that if somebody came in with some kind of toxic exposure of any kind, the first thing they would do was give them high amounts of NAC.

The reason being is that people normally have adequate amounts of the other 2 amino acids that make up glutathione (glutamic acid and glycine) in the body at all times, and the limiting amino acid in making adequate amounts of glutathione is virtually always cysteine, or NAC. (According to my understanding, NAC is an acetyl form of cysteine.) I would say the benefits you're getting is likely due to to you increasing your glutathione levels. You could always try nebulizing glutathione, and see if your benefits are even more pronounced. -- From this article:

Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant found in every cell in the body. It is made of three types of molecules known as amino acids.

Amino acids combine in different patterns to make all of the proteins in the body.

One unique thing about glutathione is that the body is able to make it in the liver, which is not true of most antioxidants.

Glutathione has many important functions, including:

• making DNA, the building blocks of proteins and cells
• supporting immune function
• forming sperm cells
• breaking down some free radicals
• helping certain enzymes function
• regenerating vitamins C and E
• transporting mercury out of the brain
• helping the liver and gallbladder deal with fats
• assisting regular cell death (a process known as apoptosis)

Researchers have found links between low levels of glutathione and some diseases. It is possible to increase glutathione levels through oral or intravenous (IV) supplementation.

Another option is to take supplements that activate the natural glutathione production in the body. These supplements include:

• milk thistle
• N-acetyl cysteine
• superoxide dismutase

Reducing toxin exposure and increasing intake of healthful foods are also excellent ways to naturally increase glutathione levels.​

 

I take NAC and Astaxanthin daily, and I've noticed the same thing! I'll be able to read tiny font way down the road. For this reason alone I always recommend these supplements; even if they don't help your ears, they're so good for your eyes!

 

NAC can activate and help grow Lung Cancer in former smokers. I stopped taking it because of that.

NAC amide can increase bioavailability and reduce oxidative stress, but it does not decrease doxorubicin-induced cell death in H9c2 cardiomyocytes (29). In an animal model, NAC increased lung cancer cell proliferation due to its antioxidant activity by reducing ROS, DNA damage, and p53 expression.

https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/n-acetylcysteine​