Wizard of Vitamins

N-Acetyl Cysteine Vitamin

What is N-Acetyl Cysteine?

N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is an altered form of the amino acid cysteine, which is commonly found in food and synthesized by the body.

N-Acetyl Cysteine in Diets

Cysteine, the amino acid from which NAC is derived, is found in most high-protein foods. NAC is not found in the diet.

N-Acetyl Cysteine Medicinal Treatments

Acetaminophen poisoning Bronchitis (chronic) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Angina pectoris Gastritis Heart Attack (IV immediately following a myocardial infarction) HIV support Prevention of kidney damage during coronary angiography Unverricht-Lundborg Disease Pseudoporphyria

Known Consequences of N-Acetyl Cysteine Deficiency

Deficiencies of NAC have not been defined and may not exist. Deficiencies of the related amino acidcysteine have been reported in HIV-infected patients.

N-Acetyl Cysteine Recommended Dosages

Healthy people do not need to supplement NAC. Optimal levels of supplementation remain unknown, though much of the research uses 250–1,500 mg per day.

N-Acetyl Cysteine Side Effects

One study reported that 19% of people taking NAC orally experienced nausea, vomiting, headache, dry mouth, dizziness, or abdominal pain. These symptoms have not been consistently reported by other researchers, however. Although a great deal of research has shown that NAC has antioxidant activity, one small study found that daily amounts of 1.2 grams or more could lead to increased oxidative stress. Extremely large amounts of cysteine, the amino acid from which NAC is derived, may be toxic to nerve cells in rats. NAC may increase urinary zinc excretion. Therefore, supplemental zinc and copper should be added when supplementing with NAC for extended periods. Certain medicines may interact with N-Acetyl Cysteine. Refer to drug interactions for a list of those medicines.