N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) is a semi essential amino acid.
If you eat enough of the amino acids methionine and serine, then your body can convert these into NAC.
Brazil nuts, soybeans, tofu, beans, lentils, wheat germ, and spirulina all contain methionine.
Soybeans, peanuts, almonds, walnuts, chickpeas, and lentils are all good sources of serine.
Fermented soybeans are the healthiest form of soy to consume
… and it contains both of the essential amino acids that combine to create NAC
A small amount of NAC is absorbed via the gut.
BUT the majority of your body's NAC is produced in your liver.
This means, if your liver doesn’t function properly, then you might be deficient in NAC.
N-acetyl-L-cysteine is generally considered safe, but can cause some side effects in some people, which we’ll discuss later in this article.
What Is N-acetyl-l-cysteine and What Does It Do?
N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) is an amino acid that’s found in high concentrations in the liver. NAC is important because it helps the body produce glutathione , which is a powerful antioxidant. Some consider glutathione the body's “master antioxidant.” Glutathione helps protect the liver from damage caused by toxins like alcohol, environmental toxins and drugs.
N-acetyl-L-cysteine can also help protect the liver from damage caused by infection or inflammation. NAC is sometimes used as a supplement, especially for detoxification and by people who have liver damage or disease. It’s also given intravenously (by IV) to people who are about to have surgery, and also as a treatment for a painkiller overdose.
Learn more: Glutathione - The ‘Master Oxidant’ That Helps Detox Your Liver And Much More!
Is N-acetyl L Cysteine Good for the Liver?
In one word - yes! N-acetyl L cysteine (NAC) is good for the liver. One of the main benefits of NAC is that it helps protect the liver from damage. The liver is responsible for removing toxins from the body, and if it becomes overloaded, it can cause damage to the liver cells. NAC helps to protect the liver by boosting its glutathione levels .
Another benefit of NAC is that it can help to reverse liver damage. If you’ve been diagnosed with liver damage, taking NAC supplements may help to improve your condition. NAC is also beneficial for people who are trying to lose weight . It can help reduce cravings for unhealthy foods and promote healthy weight loss.
Normally, you’ll need to take between 600 and 1,200 milligrams per day for optimal results.
Can NAC Really Reverse Liver Damage?
Liver damage due to an overdose in paracetamol (pain killer) medication can be lowered by timely administration of NAC. The best approach has been to dose NAC by body weight. Some studies done in the 1980's have shown evidence that continuing NAC treatment after the acute paracetamol poisoning benefits patients who would otherwise have significant liver damage.
Another study of 30 patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver steatosis found that NAC was better than vitamin C . They found that NAC can improve liver function in these patients. A 2020 study carried out in mice discovered that NAC treatment can rescue the liver. Which is extremely promising for humans who have liver problems.
Can N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) prevent liver damage?
There is some evidence that suggests NAC can help protect the liver from damage. One study found that NAC was able to reduce the amount of liver damage caused by alcohol consumption . NAC has been found to prevent ethanol induced liver damage, this happens because NAC reduces the impact of oxidative stress on the liver.
Another study found that NAC was able to protect the liver from damage caused by infection. More research is needed to determine whether or not NAC can actually prevent liver damage. However, there is some promising evidence that suggests it might be beneficial in this regard. If you are concerned about liver damage, you might like to talk to your doctor about whether or not taking NAC might be right for you.
Vegan/ Plant Based Food Rich in NAC
If you are looking to increase your intake of NAC, eating foods that contain it is a good place to start. However, it’s also available in supplement form. There are many vegan foods that contain NAC. Some of the most common include:
• Garlic
• Onions
• Mushrooms
• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• Spinach
• Kale
• Cabbage
These are all healthy, nutrient-rich foods that can help you increase your intake of NAC. If you are looking for other ways to boost your antioxidant levels, consider adding some of these foods to your diet.
Learn more: Why You Should Take NAC Daily
Possible Side Effects of NAC
If you’re consuming plant based foods that contain NAC, then there should be no side effects. But if you want to dramatically increase NAC in your body via supplements, there are some possible side effects that you should know about.
Speak with your healthcare provider before taking any supplements, as they can interact with certain medications. Detoxification processes often encourage your body to purge toxins. That’s what’s happening with these side effects such as:
- ● Diarrhea
- ● Vomiting
- ● Eye irritation
- ● Fatigue
- ● Nausea
- ● Skin rash
In Conclusion
N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) is an important amino acid that helps the body produce glutathione. Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect the liver from damage caused by toxins. NAC can also help protect the liver from damage caused by infection or inflammation. Studies have shown that NAC can prevent or reverse liver damage in people who abuse alcohol, take recreational drugs, or are infected with hepatitis C. NAC appears to work by reducing inflammation and protecting the cells of the liver. If you’re interested in preventing or reversing liver damage, you may want to consider adding more NAC into your diet.
Written by Rowanna Watson, who has a passion for natural health. Rowanna is an expert in all areas of holistic health, plant-based nutrition, detoxification Written by best-selling author and integrative nutrition health coach and personal development.
Water for Health Ltd began trading in 2007 with the goal of positively affecting the lives of many. We still retain that mission because we believe that proper hydration and nutrition can make a massive difference to people’s health and quality of life. Click here to find out more.
Leave a comment