[spoaceman7777]

Yeah, the body-wide mucous thinning properties of NAC are one of the reasons it has racked up papers showing its efficacy in a truly staggering number of illnesses and conditions. (Including neurodegenerative diseases.)

Highly recommend reading the actual literature on its effects in regard to cystic fibrosis, pancreatitis, COPD, neurodegenerative disorders, high blood pressure, ulcers, IBD, liver and kidney problems, OCD...

The list goes on at a pretty extreme length, and it sounds too good to be true, but the papers are out there.

[Aurornis]

NAC is in the category of supplements that sound unbelievably amazing on paper, but are frequently discontinued by people trying to take it long term. Some people seem to like it, but it’s common for people to take it for a while and realize it’s causing side effects like anhedonia, apathy, minor sleep disruptions, or other subtle negative effects. Not everyone, but it’s a common outcome.

It also doesn’t quite live up to a lot of the incredible sounding papers for many conditions. It’s really common to find papers or even small trials purporting to find amazing effects from supplements that fail to replicate at scale. NAC does have some legitimate applications and is even used medically for certain conditions. I’m a little more skeptical that all of the amazing positives for every condition under the sun will hold up.

[itchyouch]

When considering NAC's mechanisms, it seems that it's efficacy is likely dependent on an individuals's glutathione status.

I doubt that folks with a solid diet, high in sulfur would find much benefit from NAC.

However, as someone who's gotten to use it first hand and have dealt with lifelong, mild inflammation (puffy fingers, clogged nose here and there), it's definitely been a huge quality of life enhancer.

[ridgeguy]

Can you suggest a review article or two? Interested in this as my dad passed from hemorrhagic stroke, my mom from occlusive stroke. Thanks.

[Loughla]

Would also like to ask for a starting point in this. Googling has not really gotten me anywhere credible. Specifically related to stroke or high blood pressure (both family traits).

[thelastgallon]

I used NAC supplement for 1 year and it changed my life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEC3gH0GC8E

[Trasmatta]

It's also very effective at helping reduce the damage of alcohol, if you take it before drinking. Lessens hangovers too.

[clankenfoot]

Potentially dangerous to put this idea in others' heads without being more explicit about the role of timing and the risk of harm.

A dual effect of N-acetylcysteine on acute ethanol-induced liver damage in mice - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16439183/

> By contrast, post-treatment with NAC aggravated ethanol-induced hepatic lipid peroxidation and worsened acute ethanol-induced liver damage in a dose-dependent manner.

Mice be warned!

[n8henrie]

Citation?

[flowerthoughts]

I can't find anything in the article about NAC or N-acetylcystein. What's the relevance?

[spoaceman7777]

The article is about improving the flow of lymph in the brain, and NAC thins mucous, lymph, and various other bodily fluids, which leads to improved flow and general clearance.

[AnthonBerg]

Seconded.

I... I don't know how to get it across; For the love of God read the literature on NAC, alpha lipoic acid, bromhexine, and ambroxol.

Just... read. Read the molecular biology papers.

[p1esk]

Would regular engineers like us understand molecular biology papers?

[vixen99]

Or browse these; https://www.freefullpdf.com/search_gcse/?q=NAC#gsc.tab=0&gsc...

[FrustratedMonky]

"just read the paper" is a bogus argument.

There are thousands of subjects with thousands of papers. To read them all would take thousands of years.

The reason we use summaries is because there is no time to be an expert at everything.

[TripleTree]

Where would you recommend?

[clankenfoot]

Why uh.. why is this ludicrous threadjack the top comment?