Is NAC Safe (Without Glycine)? Maybe

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by Nils Osmar. September 10, 2022. Medical Disclaimer

NAC (N. Acetyl Chysteine) is a form of cysteine that is often taken as a nutritional supplement.

When it’s not being used as a supplement, NAC is sometimes used medically to improve fertility, and treat respiratory diseases. It has also been found to support brain health.

NAC for life extension?

From a 2015 study:

Dietary N-acetyl-L-cysteine supplementation significantly increased resistance to oxidative stress, heat stress, and UV irradiation in C. elegans.

In addition, N-acetyl-L-cysteine supplementation significantly extended both the mean and maximum lifespan of C. elegans. The mean lifespan was extended by up to 30.5% with 5 mM N-acetyl-L-cysteine treatment, and the maximum lifespan was increased by 8 days.

N-acetyl-L-cysteine supplementation also increased the total number of progeny produced and extended the gravid period of C. elegans

See study

A U-shaped curve?

Adding glycine

  • Other evidence suggests that NAC can have a potent life-extending effect in mammals if it’s accompanied by glycine. See study.
  • I take glycine along with NAC because when they’re take in equal amounts, they have been shown to combine in the body to synthesize glutathione, a powerful life-extending molecule.
  • I used to take NAC alone at night because it clears up my breathing. But I may actually have been shortening my life.
  • I plan to keep taking them in combination, but I’ve stopped taking NAC alone.

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