Ortho Molecular Products N-Acetyl Cysteine

N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is an amino acid that boosts antioxidant function. NAC is a source of the conditionally essential amino acid L-cysteine and is a precursor to the tripeptide glutathione, an essential intracellular antioxidant. Each capsule of NAC provides 500 mg of this versatile amino acid.

NAC is a powerful antioxidant. It acts directly as a scavenger of free radicals, especially oxygen radicals. NAC is a precursor of L-cysteine that results in increased glutathione biosynthesis. Glutathione is not well absorbed by the body when taken orally. Studies have shown the absorption of oral glutathione to be limited, and difficult to sustain adequate glutathione levels. Supplementation with NAC has been shown to significantly increase circulating levels of glutathione in the body. Increasing glutathione levels in turn increases the production of specialized antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase. Through the activity of these enzymes, NAC protects the body from oxidative stress.