What is N-Acetylcysteine (NAC)? High and low values | Lab results explained

– N-acetyl cysteine comes from the amino acid L-cysteine. 
– Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins.

N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) is a powerful antioxidant that acts to increase the glutathione reserves in the body. It is found in body fluids, but is also used as a nutritional supplement. It reduces the toxicity of drugs like acetaminophen (Tylenol) and protects against toxicity of mercury and other heavy metals.

NAC helps facilitate essential biological functions by bonding with two other amino acids—glutamine and glycine—to create glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that plays a key role in regulating numerous cellular activities and helps keep the immune system in check.

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a sulfur-containing amino acid that facilitates the production of glutathione. NAC is a powerful antioxidant that promotes healthy immune function and helps protect the body from toxic insults and oxidative stress.

OTHER NAME(S): Acetyl Cysteine, Acétyl Cystéine, Acetylcysteine, Acétylcystéine, Chlorhydrate de Cystéine, Cysteine, Cystéine, Cysteine Hydrochloride, Cystine, Hydrochlorure de Cystéine, L-Cysteine, L-Cystéine, L-Cysteine HCl, L-Cystéine HCl, NAC, N-Acetil Cisteína, N-Acetyl-B-Cysteine, N-Acétyl Cystéine, N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine, N-Acétyl-L-Cystéine, N-Acetylcysteine, N-Acétylcystéine.

References:

– https://www.researchgate.net/publication/335100030_N-acetylcysteine_prevents_orchiectomy-induced_osteoporosis_by_inhibiting_oxidative_stress_and_osteocyte_senescence
– https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jnme/2021/9949453/#introduction

WHAT DOES IT MEAN IF YOUR N-ACETYLCYSTEINE (NAC) RESULT IS TOO LOW?

Low levels of N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) could indicate a glutathione deficiency.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN IF YOUR N-ACETYLCYSTEINE (NAC) RESULT IS TOO HIGH?

Together with glutathione, N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) directly binds to toxic metabolites.

Although N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) may be beneficial under certain conditions, excessive use of the supplement could be harmful.

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