N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) is a well-absorbed supplemental form of cysteine that supports liver, brain and lung health and the health of many of the body’s tissues.
Many of the beneficial qualities of NAC are related to its role in supporting the normal production of Glutathione, which is one of the body’s most important antioxidants. NAC is a supplemental form of cysteine, an amino acid needed for the enzyme reaction that produces glutathione in our body.
Over time, our body’s ability to produce glutathione will begin to decline and exposure to environmental toxins can increase our need for antioxidant protection. In providing the building blocks for glutathione via supplements such as NAC, we can help support healthy levels of glutathione and thus promote our body’s healthy responses to these exposures.
NAC’s relation to the body’s antioxidant system suggests that it may play a role in protecting against oxidative damage to neurons, the specialised cells of the nervous system that are important for maintaining cognitive function and memory.
NAC helps to produce intracellular glutathione, and adequate levels of glutathione are vital for optimal function of the brain, liver, nerve cells, pancreas and lungs. NAC is normally present in high amounts in lung and liver tissues and provides immune and respiratory system support by helping to disrupt disulfide bonds of proteins found in mucus – meaning that it is more easily expelled from the lungs.