Info: 600 mg Strength Capsules with Selenium, or 1000 mg Extra Strength Tablets
NAC has proven antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-modulating benefits that may be beneficial for both treatment and prevention of respiratory conditions.
Not looking for capsules? See Canadian Protein's NAC Powder.
Info: 600 mg Strength Capsules with Selenium, or 1000 mg Extra Strength Tablets
NAC has proven antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-modulating benefits that may be beneficial for both treatment and prevention of respiratory conditions.
Not looking for capsules? See Canadian Protein's NAC Powder.
Product Notes:
N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) is a stable form of the non-essential amino acid L-Cysteine, which is a necessary component for forming the potent antioxidant glutathione, and contains sulfur, which acts as a stabilizer for the formation of protein structures.
Considered the most powerful endogenous (made in our body) antioxidant, glutathione acts inside our cells (unlike vitamin C which acts outside cells), helping to eliminate free radicals while supporting the immune system. A natural detoxifier, glutathione can prevent neurological damage, and may help slow down the aging process. You can increase glutathione levels by regular exercise (not high intensity) and with dietary supplement precursors.
As a precursor to glutathione, NAC has been used for decades to treat acetaminophen overdose (which can be liver toxic) and to loosen thick mucus in the lungs. NAC can help suppress viral replication and reduce inflammation, with studies proving it significantly decreases influenza frequency, and the duration and severity of most symptoms.
In addition, NAC can help to reduce the incidence of pneumonia, bronchitis, and can work to help improve lung function. It's even been shown to help reverse hair loss among those with trichoteiromania (people whose scalp was so itchy they rubbed some hair off by over-scratching).
Is NAC banned in the USA?
The FDA in the United States is currently debating how to classify N-Acetyl Cysteine in that country. Manufacturers and regulators are working to decide which rules apply, and what NAC products may be available to consumers from which sources.
NAC in Canada - Is NAC Banned?
No, N-Acetyl Cysteine isn't currently facing the same regulatory issues in Canada. NAC supplements are reviewed and (when approved) licensed by Health Canada as natural health products. Both of these NAC supplement formulas are licensed.
Naming Conventions
NAC goes by a number of different names and variations in spelling, including N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine, L-alpha-Acetamido-beta-mercaptopropionic acid, acetylcysteine (or N-Acetylcysteine), and many brand names, but they all refer to a derivative of the dietary amino acid l-cysteine, with the molecular formula: C5H9NO3S. This NOW Foods Extra Strength formula contains 1,000 mg of NAC per tablet, more than what's available in many competing products.
Related Products: See AOR NAC, Pure Encapsulations NAC, and Protocol NAC. Not looking for capsules or tablets? See Canadian Protein's NAC Powder. GlyNAC is a combination of Glycine and NAC.
Ingredients:
Each Capsule of 600 mg NAC (Health Canada Natural Product Number: 80128694) contains:
600 mg N-Acetyl Cysteine
25 mcg Selenium (as L-Selenomethionine)
Non-medicinal ingredients: Hypromellose (cellulose capsule), Stearic Acid (vegetable source), Citric Acid, and Microcrystalline Cellulose.
Each Tablet of Extra Strength 1000 mg NAC (NPN: 80052274) contains:
1000 mg N-Acetyl Cysteine
Non-medicinal ingredients: Cellulose, Silica, Stearic Acid, Tablet Coating (hypromellose, cellulose, stearic acid, water).
Suggested Usage:
600 mg version: Adults: take 1 capsule daily, with a meal.
Extra Strength version: Adults: Take 1 tablet daily with meals.
Store in a cool, dry place.
Warnings:
600 mg version: Do not use NOW Foods NAC if you suffer from cystinuria/cystine kidney stones, or if you are taking antibiotics or nitroglycerin. Consult a healthcare practitioner prior to use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or for use beyond 6 months.
Extra Strength version: Consult a healthcare practitioner prior to use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney stones.
Supporting Science:
Kumar, Premranjan et al. “Supplementing Glycine and N-Acetylcysteine (GlyNAC) in Older Adults Improves Glutathione Deficiency, Oxidative Stress, Mitochondrial Dysfunction, Inflammation, Physical Function, and Aging Hallmarks: A Randomized Clinical Trial.” The Journals of Gerontology. Series A, Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences. 2022 Aug.
Özcan, D, and D Seçkin. “N-Acetylcysteine in the treatment of trichotillomania: remarkable results in two patients.” Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2016.
Rasmussen JB, Glennow C. "Reduction in days of illness after long-term treatment with N-acetylcysteine controlled-release tablets in patients with chronic bronchitis." European Respiratory Journal, 1988.
Salas-Callo, Corina Isabel, and Rodrigo Pirmez. “Trichoteiromania: Good Response to Treatment with N-Acetylcysteine.” Skin Appendage Disorders, 2019.
Zhongcheng Shi, Carlos A Puyo. "N-Acetylcysteine to Combat COVID-19: An Evidence Review." Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management, 2020.
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