Skip to main content

What's That Pill? - N-Acetyl Cysteine

Name
N-acetyl cysteine, NAC

Typical Dosage
250mg - 1800mg

Usage
NAC is a form of the amino acid l-cysteine. Homo-cysteine is an amino acid in the blood. An elevated level means that your metabolic processes are not working properly. Elevated homo-cysteine is associated with coronary artery disease, heart attack, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, cognitive impairment, and cervical cancer. Metformin has been shown to increase homo-cysteine levels, and, in general, women with PCOS have higher homo-cysteine levels. A medical study showed that people taking NAC for two months had a significant decrease in homocysteine levels. (Ovarian-cysts-pcos.com)
A study in Turkey comparing the usage of 1500mg of metformin daily to 1600 mg of NAC daily showed significant results - both treatments show decrease in BMI, fasting insulin, free testosterone and menstrual irregularity, and hirsutism, as well as lower cholesterol levels. (Published study by G. Oner) The beauty of NAC is the lack of side effects as compared to Metformin. However, if you are also taking clomid to achieve pregnancy, another study completed in Egypt compared Metformin and clomid against NAC and clomid. The Metformin/clomid combination saw a higher success rate of pregnancy. (Published study by H. Abu Hashim)
It's also been studied in Australia as a way to treat depressive symptoms in bipolar disorder. There are some links between PCOS and bipolar disorder, so this could be useful to you as well! (Published study by M. Berk) For more discussion about it's use with bipolar disorder, visit here
***NOTE - I do keep seeing this mentioned in my research - "It is recommended that persons taking the amino acid cysteine take at least three times as much vitamin C as cysteine to prevent the possibility of oxidized cysteine forming kidney stones. N-Acetyl-Cysteine is much more stable and resistant to being oxidized to an insoluble form. Nevertheless, it is wise to take at least as much vitamin C as N-Acetyl-Cysteine." (FutureScience.com) I have not found any studies to back that up, but Vit C is good for you anyway and who wants to risk kidney stones?

My experience
I've been on NAC for a couple of months now. I've had regular cycles every month while on it. My facial hair seems to be growing slower, and although I haven't been losing much weight, I'm not gaining any. I believe if I was eating a little better and exercising, I'd see more results from it, but so far I am very happy! I'm not taking the full dosage as recommended in the study, and still seeing results. I currently take Swanson's brand NAC, 600mg a day.

Other's experiences
Do you want to share your NAC story, good or bad? Please email me! courtneylwallace(at)gmail(dot)com with the subject 'NAC Experience'
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Cortisol and Leptin...

Photo credit I feel so run down. I felt like this most of last week, and ended up taking 3 days off work due to it. This weekend was better - We went to Houston. We spent several hours enjoying the Downtown Aquarium on Saturday, and I enjoyed my PCOS symposium on Sunday. But as soon as I got in the car to head home, this feeling came back. It was so bad that I tossed my cookies less than an hour after we got on the road. This was definitely not from being car sick. I don't get car sick. I was tired all evening, had stupid issues with my homework, and finally went to be at 2-2:30. I realize that was late, and it could explain why I'm tired, but it doesn't explain the run-down, crappy feeling. I got plenty of sleep last week and still felt this way. I think it could be a cortisol issue. I have high cortisol levels. I know I haven't checked with a doctor, but from the information I received at the PCOS symposium, as well as years of research, it fits. I did some more re...
Post a Comment
Wait? There's more? >>

My First Giveaway!

My last post was about my decision to start a bakery. I'm very excited about it, and have been getting some fantastic reviews from my taste testers! My menu is small right now, but I am continually working on new recipes to expand it. I'm currently attempting to make a really good gluten free sandwich bread that doesn't have corn, potato, white rice, or soy in it. I hope to have it done by opening day, Nov 1. I know it's weird to open on a Tuesday, but I plan to be very busy celebrating our 2 year wedding anniversary on Halloween by scaring little kids :) I figured one of the best ways to advertise the bakery was to have a blog giveaway. So that's exactly what I'm doing! One lucky reader will receive a $20 gift certificate to I Can't Believe It's Good For Me. The giveaway is open until midnight, Oct. 31. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced on Nov 1. Here are the rules: 1 - You must complete the mandatory entry. 2 - Post each entr...
Post a Comment
Wait? There's more? >>

Spend a few moments Happifying your life!

Several months ago I was given the opportunity to beta test a new program called Happify . It's designed to help you become happier with your life, and has plenty of studies to back up their science. I've been using it, although not as faithfully as I should. But I really have enjoyed testing out a lot of the different tracks to choose from. This week,   Happify  ent out of beta testing and is now open to the public. There are a lot of free tracks you can choose from, as well as some others you can get by upgrading to a paid membership. I recommend   Happify  o everyone I know that needs a little pick me up from day to day. It has been helping me find my way towards satisfaction with myself and my life the way it is. It has also helped me to expand my horizons and learn how to be even happier. It's a great program. Currently I'm working on the paid track 'Get Motivated to Get Fit'. Right now it's exactly what I need - a way to focus on my health without ...
Post a Comment
Wait? There's more? >>