N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine or NAC

My orthopedist recommended N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine or NAC for short. He is not a guy who believes in the use of supplements so when he told me about NAC, I definitely paid attention.

Here is a little more on NAC –

N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine, known as "NAC" provides powerful immune support and also packs a powerful anti-toxin potential. Its ability to neutralize cell and DNA damaging free radicals can help slow down what many scientists point to as a key factor in the aging process. N-ACETYL L-CYSTEINE (NAC) or NAC is a more stable form of L-Cysteine because it has an acetyl group (CH3CO) attached. NAC has all the properties of L-Cysteine but is more water soluble and said to be more bioavailable than L-Cysteine. NAC may be the most cost effective way to boost Glutathione levels in the body. Glutathione is a very valuable peptide, but very expensive when bought as a supplement. It is best to use NAC to boost your glutathione levels. NAC has been shown to play a protective role against a variety of toxic hazards such as cigarette smoke, auto exhaust, certain herbicides, and overdoses of acetaminophen. It can also play a beneficial role in prostate and respiratory conditions. For example, NAC has well established antimucolytic (anti-mucous) properties and has been shown to increase mucocilary transport in smokers. As a beneficial glutathione booster, N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine is the supplement of choice.
Surprisingly, it is more effective than supplementing with cysteine, methionine, or even glutathione itself! No doubt NAC is the undisputed glutathione precursor. What makes NAC stand out in the crowd of glutathione boosters is the fact that it is a stable amino acid that can retain up to six times the amount of the sulfur and sulfhydryl groups after digestion. Scientists believe that sulfur and sulfur compounds may be central to glutathione and its precursor N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC).

De Vries N, De Flora S.
Department of Otolaryngology, Free University Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
The most commonly used chemopreventive agents in the prevention of oral leukoplakia, head and neck cancer, and lung cancer are beta-carotene, vitamin A, and other retinoids. One of the few chemopreventive agents not in this group and presently being used in a clinical trial is N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC). NAC, an antioxidant, is used in EUROSCAN, a European Organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) chemoprevention study in curatively treated patients with oral, laryngeal, or lung cancer. The rationale for choosing NAC is based on a variety of experimental data showing its ability to exert protective effects, including extracellular inhibition of mutagenic agents from exogenous and endogenous sources, inhibition of genotoxicity of reactive oxygen species, modulation of metabolism coordinated with blocking of reactive metabolites, protection of DNA and nuclear enzymes, and prevention of the formation of carcinogen-DNA adducts. NAC has also demonstrated an effect on mutagen-induced chromosomal sensitivity assays, and on anticarcinogenicity in experimental animal models. In addition, preliminary data from EUROSCAN show good compliance in treated patients and a low frequency of side effects


You can find NAC at any GNC or health food store for about $15 for 100 capsules.
On line the prices are a little cheaper.

http://www.americannutrition.com/store/NACpg.html


I take about two 600mg caapsules a day.