Have you heard of glutathione?

Did you know it is one of your own body’s most powerful antioxidants? Learn the best way to raise the level of this remarkable antioxidant in your body.

Glutathione has strong anti-inflammatory activity in the body, helps to neutralize free radicals and it assists liver detoxification. However, oral absorption of glutathione is usually poor, which means it is often more effective to take a supplement of n-acetyl cysteine, which the body can convert into glutathione.

What is n-acetyl cysteine (NAC)?

N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is an amino-acid derivative (small protein) with over 40 years of scientific research to back it up. NAC’s powerful health benefits derive from its ability to restore intracellular levels of glutathione (GSH). Glutathione helps the liver to protect you against toxicity, and it is most needed by those with liver disease.

The stress of chronic liver disease depletes glutathione and this is why supplementing with its main precursor NAC, helps those with liver disease to protect against ongoing liver damage.

All inflammatory diseases such as allergies, autoimmune diseases and chronic infections can deplete the body of glutathione. The common pain-relieving medicine, acetaminophen, also depletes your body of this vital antioxidant. NAC is a modified form of the sulfur-containing amino acid cysteine. NAC replenishes intracellular levels of glutathione, which restores your cells’ ability to fight damage from free radicals known as reactive oxygen species.

Raising blood levels of glutathione may be able to help those with chronic degenerative diseases, including liver disease, lung disease and impaired glucose control. NAC also has an anti-mucus effect; therefore, it’s great for people with blocked sinuses or a blocked nose.

NAC neutralizes toxins and pollutants including heavy metals that accumulate in the liver, kidneys and fatty parts of the body. Restoring glutathione levels with NAC supplements makes liver cells more able to protect themselves from ongoing damage caused by fatty accumulation, viral infections, drug induced damage, alcohol excess or autoimmune inflammation.

How can we get more glutathione in our body?

Oral glutathione supplements are available in some health food stores and pharmacies and do not require a prescription. The main problem is that glutathione is not well absorbed from the gut, as it is broken down by digestive enzymes before it has a chance to be absorbed.

For this reason it is far more effective to take its precursor (building block).

NAC is the most important precursor to glutathione synthesis. NAC is easily absorbed from the gut and is rapidly turned into glutathione. Selenium is also required for glutathione production, and supplementing with this mineral can help support its synthesis.

Approximately 150 milligrams daily of glutathione is obtained from the average diet, mainly from fruits and vegetables. However, the majority of glutathione is manufactured within the cells of the body, especially within liver cells.

It is interesting to know that around 80% of the glutathione produced in the liver is transported to the bloodstream to be used by the kidneys for detoxification. Thus increasing glutathione levels is good for the liver and the kidneys.

How is NAC taken?

NAC does not require a prescription and is taken as an oral supplement in doses of 600 to 1800 mg daily. NAC is taken two to three times per day, or as recommended by your healthcare provider. NAC can be taken with or without food.

References:
J Gastrointestin Liver Dis. 2013 Jun;22(2):189-197. World J Gastroenterol. 2013 Feb 28;19(8):1158-65. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i8.1158 Crit Care Clin. 2012 Oct;28(4):499-516. doi: 10.1016/j.ccc.2012.07.006

The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.

Purchase Products Related to this Article