What is N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine?
Cysteine is a semi-essential amino acid, because while it can be produced by the body, it becomes essential when the levels of the other amino acids that produce it are low. [1] Cysteine is often found in high-protein foods such as chicken, turkey, yogurt, as well as many other foods. [2] N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC) is just Cysteine in a supplement form.
What are the Health Benefits of N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine?
N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine is able to expedite the detoxification process of alcohol within the liver by breaking down harmful toxins faster. At an extreme level, NAC is given to patients in the form of an IV to prevent kidney or liver damage by breaking down harmful drugs or alcohol. N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine is essential in the production of one of the most important antioxidants, glutathione. Glutathione helps fight against free radicals which damage tissues within the body and lead to many chronic illnesses. [3] By boosting the production of glutathione, NAC can help prevent hangovers to eliminate that splitting headache or dizziness you feel the morning after drinking alcohol. NAC is able to support a more efficient form of alcohol metabolism, resulting in a hangover preventative instead of a quick hangover cure. [4]