Introduction
N acetyl cysteine is a precursor to glutathione, widely considered to be our body’s master antioxidant, and it is required for glutathione synthesis. N acetyl cysteine benefits include increasing intracellular glutathione in red blood cells (Whillier et al., 2009), defending against oxidative stress (Meister, 1994), regulating metabolic function (Vina, Vina, & Saez, 1986), and assisting in the function of T cells and Natural Killer cells, two very important components of our immune system. Thus, N acetyl cysteine is crucial for many aspects of our health related to keeping us balanced against oxidation and inflammation (two significant indicators related to how well we are aging), ensuring that our overall metabolic activity is optimal, and keeping our immune system prepared to defend us against threats. N acetyl cysteine is likely underappreciated for how important it is, which is why an N acetyl cysteine supplement may be warranted for helping you maintain well-being.
N Acetyl Cysteine Benefits for Mental Health
For example, schizophrenia is often characterized by progressive brain mass loss, with reductions in cortical thickness (Andreasen et al., 2011), which is hypothesized to be caused by oxidative stress (Keshavan, Sanders, Pettegrew, Dombrowsky, & Panchalingam, 1993), inflammation (Muller, Weidinger, Leitner, & Schwarz, 2015), and glutamatergic excitotoxicity (Olney et al., 1991). Thus, N acetyl cysteine benefits, such as increases in glutathione and modulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (Chen, Shi, Hu, & Hang, 2008) and its ability to regulate glutamatergic function (Baker, Shen, & Kalivas, 2002), make it potentially helpful for people with this condition.
One study investigated escalating doses of N acetyl cysteine (600 mg to 3,600 mg/day; n=30) or placebo (n=30) for 52 weeks in subjects with early schizophrenia being treated with consistent doses of antipsychotic medication (Breier et al., 2018). The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale total score, negative symptom factor, and disorganized thought factor significantly decreased in those taking the N acetyl cysteine supplement compared to placebo. The change in total Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale score was significantly associated with thickness in several parts of the brain at 24 and 52 weeks in the N acetyl cysteine supplement group, with greater thickness being associated with better improvement. Therefore, along with standard medication, N acetyl cysteine supplement benefits seem to help people with schizophrenia.
Another study compared 2,000 mg/day of an N acetyl cysteine supplement (n=27) or placebo (n=31) for 24 weeks in patients with psychosis (Rapado-Castro et al., 2017). Working memory, a cognition component that has not been improved by medications (Miskowiak, Ehrenreich, Christensen, Kessing, & Vinberg, 2014), significantly increased at 24 weeks in those taking N acetyl cysteine compared to placebo.
N Acetyl Cysteine Benefits for HIV
Given N acetyl cysteine’s importance to immune function, it might be of particular benefit to people living with HIV. In one study, HIV+ patients were randomized for eight weeks to receive 8,000 mg/day of N acetyl cysteine or a placebo (De Rosa et al., 2000). Whole blood glutathione and glutathione produced by T cells in the N acetyl cysteine supplement group significantly increased with no change in the placebo group. The N acetyl cysteine supplement was also related to improved two to three years of survival and minimal side effects.
In another study of HIV+ patients, subjects were randomized to receive either 600 mg/day of N acetyl cysteine or a placebo in addition to anti-retroviral therapy, and outcomes were assessed every 60 days for 180 days (Breitkreutz et al., 2000). Those in the N acetyl cysteine group had a significant increase in CD4+ T cell count at 60 days, whereas the placebo group did not show an increase until 120 days. These changes were at least partially due to the significant decreases in viral load in both groups attributed to the anti-retroviral medication, but enhanced by N acetyl cysteine benefits.
N Acetyl Cysteine Benefits for Other Health Challenges
N acetyl cysteine has also been shown to improve various characteristics of immune function in many other conditions, such as lupus (Lai et al., 2012), cystic fibrosis (Tirouvanziam et al., 2006), chronic kidney disease (Purwanto & Prasetyo, 2012), lead-exposed workers (Kasperczyk, Dobrakowski, Kasperczyk, Machnik, & Birkner, 2014), and severe burn patients (Csontos et al., 2011). All of these conditions were evaluated in clinical trials with significant success, showing how N acetyl cysteine supplement benefits can help these people better manage their symptoms.
Conclusion
At Dr Lewis Nutrition™, we believe it is important to share vital and practical information that can be of benefit to your well-being. N acetyl cysteine is an incredibly important compound, being a precursor to glutathione, which declines as we age, leaving us to the ravages of oxidation. Because taking oral glutathione has typically been limited due to the way the digestive system rapidly breaks it down upon intake, consuming N acetyl cysteine is a viable alternative to increase glutathione levels. N acetyl cysteine benefits are wide ranging across many different patient populations, and these effects have been demonstrated in clinical trials in humans. Take N acetyl cysteine for its overall health benefits, and you can get at least some of what you need in your regular dose of Daily Brain Care.
References
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