Should I Take a NAC Supplement?
A brief look into a trendy amino acid
People take supplements for all sorts of reasons — omega-3s for heart health, calcium for strong bones, vitamin B12 for more energy. But rarely is there one supplement that claims to heal seemingly every ailment, from asthma to liver disease. Yet NAC, short for N-acetyl cysteine, is that kind of pill. Or so its fans like to claim.
On Reddit, users say NAC helps them combat anxiety, asthma, insomnia, and other conditions, while some bodybuilders claim it helps combat muscle fatigue. Research suggests NAC can help prevent cognitive decline and even potentially curb aging.
What’s the truth? Here’s the lowdown on one of the trendier supplements in the grocery aisle.
What is NAC?
NAC is the supplemental form of cysteine, which is an amino acid. Specifically, cysteine is what’s known as a “semi-essential” amino acid, meaning the body can produce it on its own, absorb it from diets high in protein (think poultry and beef), or get it through a NAC supplement.
NAC isn’t a vitamin or a mineral, and because the body makes it on its own, there’s no recommended daily allowance. However, a “therapeutic dosage” of NAC (meaning the amount that’s expected to have benefits) is considered to be no more than 3…
