N-acetyl Cysteine (NAC): A Look Into Its Benefits and Side-Effects

N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is a branched-chain amino acid derived from L-cysteine, one type of essential nutrient found in foods consisting of proteins. Animal muscles burn this protein to get the energy that the body needs for regulating daily functions. It can also play the role of an antioxidant that can prevent cancer and be used to make a drug to treat a patient with acetaminophen poisoning. There are dietary supplements such as vitamin tablets, minerals, and enzymes that also contain this amino acid.

Prominent Uses and Benefits of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC)

Respiratory Health

Patients with chronic lung diseases such as bronchitis and fibrosis are treated with N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) by healthcare providers. Sometimes, it can be used in inhalable form, which can lessen excess mucus in the lungs. Inhaling this drug in prescribed amounts can treat collapsed lungs due to mucus clots. Sometimes, taking NAC with the drug nitroglycerin by mouth may help improve chronic chest pain and give the patient quick relief from illnesses such as:

1. Chronic pulmonary ailments
2. Bronchitis
3. Cystic fibrosis.

Liver support

N-acetyl cysteine has a significant role in treating liver functions by increasing the level of glutathione, which can help in detoxifying the liver. This has a therapeutic role in treating patients with:

1. Fatty liver diseases
2. Treating patients with Acetaminophen poisoning and damaged liver

Upgrading insulin sensitivity in patients with polycystic ovary disorders

Reports have suggested that taking N-acetyl cysteine can benefit people with PCOS syndrome. This disorder sometimes leads to insulin resistance in severe cases; thus, the blood sugar level is increased automatically. Though N-acetyl cysteine is not an absolute substitute for insulin, it can only be used as a supplement. 

Decreasing the risk of premature birth

NAC supplements can lead to a reduced chance of preterm birth. N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) combats inflammation and counter infections caused by bacterial vaginosis, which increases the possibility of premature delivery. Reports have stated that taking 0.6 grams of this supplement has helped prevent premature birth in a patient with a history of premature delivery several times.

Treating the overdose of acetaminophen poisoning

Doctors often recommend NAC for treating acetaminophen poisoning. It is an analgesic that relieves mild fever and aches. A patient experiencing an overdose of this drug is administered N-acetyl cysteine within ten hours, and the possibility of side effects, along with the risk of liver damage, gets reduced.

Mental Health

Several mental health issues are related to dysregulations of the dopamine hormone and neurotransmitters (sometimes elevated levels of oxidative stress). N-acetyl cysteine has been proven to cross blood-brain hindrances and alter neurotransmission in the brain in a minute amount with the help of dopamine hormone. It can also act as an antioxidant and manage to treat patients with:

1. Bipolar disorder
2. Over compulsive disorder
3. Any type of hyper-obsession
4. Depression

Immune Function

NAC is famous for its immunomodulatory effects by promoting the production of white blood cells, resulting in a developed immune system. Some research has shown that it can be helpful in respiratory infections, such as –

1. Influenza
2. Swelling in bronchial tubes

Improves fertility

N-acetylcysteine uses include treatment of people with lower sperm quality, quantity, and concentration in infertile people, and it can be increased by reducing the oxidative stress in testicles and thus improving semen health. In the case of women, it treats infertility caused by PCOS.

Antioxidant support

NAC shows potential antioxidant properties and neutralises dangerous free radicals, decreasing damage due to oxidation mechanism, including:

1. Cardiovascular illness
2. Neurodegenerative illness
3. Muscle degeneration due to natural ageing.

NAC has proved to help lower the possibility of fatal heart disease by lowering the oxidative stress that occurs due to an imbalance of free molecules in the cells and tissues. Researchers have proved that N-acetyl cysteine has prevented hypertension along with high blood pressure, which can lead to atherosclerosis. Studies have reported significant drops in blood pressure in people taking this supplement for one month only. 

Neurological Disease

N-acetyl cysteine is also used as an additional precursor for several neurological disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease, which is a progressive mental disorder due to the reduction in dopamine levels in the brain cells. It can also help treat patients with Alzheimer’s disease, which is usually called dementia, diabetic neuropathy, etc. These all are believed to be caused by anti-inflammatory properties. Also, N-acetyl cysteine uses include preventing Ulcerative colitis and inflammatory bowel disease. 

Side Effects

• Gastrointestinal Disturbances: Nausea, itching, and abdominal disturbances have been found in a few cases, but taking it in a lower quantity can minimise these side effects.
• Allergy and skin itching: It is one of the most effective side effects.
• Asthma exacerbation: In the worst scenario, asthma exacerbation has been found in some patients. They should consult the doctor immediately after this happens.
• Blood clotting: N-acetyl cysteine has anticoagulant properties, sometimes resulting in blood coagulation. People should consult the doctor before taking NAC if they are on blood-taking medication.

Wrap up

N-acetyl cysteine is an FDA-approved medication that helps treat intravenous conditions and is sometimes taken as an inhaling form for breaking down the clot due to mucus agglutination in the lungs. Despite N acetyl cysteine’s side effects, it can effectively manage symptoms of viral diseases (such as COVID-19), heart illness, neurological and mental disorders, and even sleep apnoea if it can be taken in a prescribed amount given by a professional healthcare provider.