The NAC Anthology Series
A collection of works about NAC
This Anthology Series focuses on the compound N-acetyl Cysteine, starting first with discussions about the FDA’s targeting of NAC. However, this review eventually became a series of posts reviewing many of the facets of NAC.
For those new here, “Anthology Series” posts serve as a quick reference that links to the other works and essentially serves as a way of compiling all of the information together and makes it more accessible and easier to share. Instead of having to link a few different articles you can just refer to this one post with links to all of the included works.
1. FDA’s Final Guidance on NAC
Although I had an initial post detailing the removal of NAC from a few months ago, I consider this post be more up to par as it is a more cohesive discussion about the FDA’s ruling.
Here, the FDA has considered NAC to fall under the category of drug but may be provided some exception due to its use over the past decades and wide availability as a supplement.
2. The Pharmacology of NAC
There’s a growing need to understand what we put into our bodies, and so this post looked at the pharmacology of NAC including pharmacokinetics (how NAC enters the body and gets metabolized), pharmacodynamics (how NAC works), as well as some information on toxicity. Although NAC has many proposed mechanisms of action, it appears that the ability to replenish Glutathione (GSH) serves as one of the most important ones.
3. NAC & COVID
As a possible therapeutic agent against COVID I look at a few examples from the literature to see what context studies can provide. First, two prior studies looking at NAC in regards to influenza-like illness as well as NAC in helping with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) were examined. Then, two studies looking at NAC within the context were examined, with remarks explaining the important of contextualizing studies and knowing what to look for.
4. NAC, L-cysteine, or Glutathione?
A few questions were raised as to which supplement would be best. Given that NAC may serve to replenish L-cysteine which can then be used to form GSH, would it be better to just try L-cysteine or GSH rather than NAC? I provide a few explanations as to why NAC may be better, while also providing remarks as to whether NAC may actually be a necessary supplement. Also included are some examples of L-cysteine and Glutathione sources from food to round out the discussion.
I am going to post this article specifically onto the front page, but know that this will be moved to the Anthology Series Archive Tab. My other Anthology Series posts will fall under that tab, but I will not send an email out for the others due to spamming. Please refer to that tab, as well as the other tabs, for additional posts that you may find useful!
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