the ITP study on glycine shows there is a modest 5% improvement in lifespan for both male and female mice
it is posited that glycine increases gluthathione
in this case it is without NAC which is supposedly the more effective supplement and rate limiting factor as the body can make glycine itself
i think there is good evidence that increasing gluthathione either via NAC or Gly or both increases median lifespan
24% in mouse is a lot, almost as much as Rapa without the side effects, providing an alternative to those of us who dont take rapa
NAC weight loss
Researchers have studied the effects of NAC on obesity-related health problems. One review analyzed studies done on animals and human cells, showing that NAC can lower inflammation, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance while improving fat tissue function. NAC may help control key processes in obesity, such as fat storage, energy metabolism, and hormone balance. But more research is needed.
Proven benefits of NAC
At this time, there is only one scientifically proven benefit of NAC:
Treatment of acetaminophen overdose. By boosting levels of glutathione, NAC speeds up the breakdown of acetaminophen. You may be able to prevent liver or kidney damage if you get treatment within eight to 10 hours of acetaminophen poisoning.
Go to the hospital if you or a loved one takes too much acetaminophen. A health professional may need to give you a high dose of the supplement through a vein in your arm.
Potential benefits of NAC
Researchers are still gathering evidence to support the use of NAC in these areas:
Treatment of chronic lung diseases. NAC supplements, particularly the kind you breathe in, may lessen inflammation in your airways. This might reduce the number of future flare-ups caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and improve lung function, but not all studies have found these results.
The supplement may also help make wheezing and coughing less severe in some people with ongoing bronchitis. More studies are needed to confirm these results.
High-dose NAC (1,200 milligrams per day) may also help lower inflammation, break up biofilms where germs live, and lessen damage caused by oxidative stress in the lungs and airways of people with cystic fibrosis, when used alone or with other medications.
Improving liver and kidney function. Your liver and kidneys flush drugs and other toxins out of your body. NAC supplements can speed up this breakdown process and may help your organs work better if you have liver or kidney disease. But more research is needed to know for sure.
Viral suppression. There arenât many studies on NAC and the immune system, but current research suggests that it and glutathione may help to improve immune function in people with HIV. Some research shows that the supplement may help to suppress HIV-1 reproduction. But more research is needed to know if NAC has a big benefit for people with HIV or AIDS.
Test tube studies also show that NAC may stop the flu virus from replicating. In a six-month study, people who took 600 milligrams of NAC twice daily reported fewer flu symptoms than those who didnât take the supplement.
Balancing blood sugar in people with insulin resistance. Research suggests that NAC may help to improve insulin resistance â when your body doesnât respond to insulin, the hormone that keeps your blood sugar in check.
Thereâs some evidence the supplement may be particularly helpful for people with insulin resistance who have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal condition that interferes with periods and the ovaries.
Researchers have found little evidence that NAC can help people with type 2 diabetes gain good control over their blood sugar or make them more sensitive to insulin.
Better brain function. NAC helps to refill glutathione levels in the body. It also helps control a neurotransmitter called glutamate and can lessen inflammation and damage caused by oxidative stress. These functions may help protect cells needed for brain health, which may benefit people with neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimerâs and Parkinsonâs diseases.
Improving treatment for mental health conditions. Researchers have found mixed results when it comes to how well NAC works to treat psychiatric disorders. Still, thereâs promising evidence that the supplement may change the brain and nervous system in a way that helps lessen symptoms of:
- Major depressive disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar disorder
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Trichotillomania (hair pulling)
- Substance use disorders
Some studies show that the supplement may help ease symptoms of withdrawal, including a strong urge or craving to take drugs. This may lessen the chances of relapse in people whoâve stopped misusing substances such as stimulants, cannabis, tobacco, and alcohol.
N-acetylcysteine for skin picking. NAC may improve symptoms of excoriation disorder, also called skin-picking disorder (SPD). One study found that people with SPD who took 1,200-1,300 milligrams of NAC daily for three months reported fewer SPD behaviors than those who didnât take the supplement.
Lowering heart disease risk. Studies on human cells show that, when combined with green tea, NAC may help lessen damage caused by LDL cholesterol. LDL is the âbadâ kind of cholesterol linked to heart disease.
Helping with fertility. NAC may improve fertility in people of all sexes. One study found that men and people assigned male at birth who had trouble with infertility improved their semen quality when they took NAC alone or with selenium.
NAC may also help women and people assigned female at birth ovulate regularly, particularly if you have infertility that comes with a condition like PCOS.
Other uses of N-acetylcysteine
More research is needed, but thereâs a small amount of evidence that NAC may:
- Prevent cell damage that may turn into cancer
- Lessen side effects of cancer treatment
- Control inflammation and reduce asthma attacks
- Dissolve blood clots
- Ease symptoms of SjĂśgrenâs syndrome, an autoimmune condition that causes dryness
- Help treat inflammatory conditions like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
Researchers continue to study the benefits of NAC on cancer and its treatment, including triple-negative breast cancer, colon cancer, liver cancer, and lung cancer in smokers. But there isnât strong enough evidence to say that the supplement can prevent cancer.
Ask your doctor if NAC is safe for you to take if you have cancer.
