FAQ

PharmaNAC is N-acetylcysteine or “NAC” for short, which is a derivative of the amino acid L-cysteine, an essential precursor used by the body to produce glutathione (in essence a glutathione booster). Glutathione is an extremely important and powerful antioxidant produced by the body to help protect against free radical damage, and is a critical factor in supporting a healthy immune and respiratory system.

Once ingested PharmaNAC is quickly absorbed by the surround cells and de-acetylated and metabolized in the intestines and liver, where it is then ready to combine with glycine and glutamate to form glutathione.

L-Cysteine can be readily found in our daily diet; however l-cysteine on its own is difficult for the body to absorb and thus limiting the amount readily available to produce to the antioxidant glutathione. N-acetyl group attached to cysteine allows cells to more readily absorb cysteine as the acetyl group protects cysteine from oxidative damage and metabolic processes. ^{[1, 2]}

There is no known side effect to taking NAC, as it is derived from an amino acid your body currently utilizes. Abdominal discomfort or nausea may occur when taking large quantities of over 7 tablets or 6.9 grams per day. NAC is also considered a natural anti inflammatory.

The recommended dose is two tablets per day.   Avoid taking with any dairy products as the acidity of PharmaNAC is close to that of orange juice.  PharmaNAC  may be taken with or without food.  It is recommended to take as an everyday  immune booster and to enhance respiratory system function.

Glutathione is an extremely important and powerful antioxidant produced by the body to help protect against free radical damage, and is a critical factor in supporting a healthy immune and respiratory system. The free radicals that damage to our cells exist in an oxidized state and are reduced by antioxidants such as glutathione. Glutathione exists in two forms in the human body; the first form is the reduced form which is the useful antioxidant that we want to have. Glutathione in its reduced form is able to donate an electron to an electron deficient free radical to reduce the free radical and eliminate it. When glutathione donates that electron, it becomes oxidized and unstable. With one electron missing glutathione binds to another oxidized glutathione molecule that has also given up one its electrons to from glutathione disulfide (GSSH). GSSH is a stable form of glutathione and can be reduced back to a single molecule through redox reactions (reactions involving electron transfers from one molecule to another) in the body.

Glutathione levels in the body are reduced by several factors such as smoking, drinking, exercise, and environmental toxins. Considering these factors, it is important to ensure the body is able to obtain adequate amounts of cysteine to produce enough glutathione to protect the body from the above damaging factors.

NAC promotes a reduction in oxidative stress in the body by scavenging free radicals to lower inflammation in the respiratory system. In a clinical study it was found that the sensitivity to toxic oxygen species (TOS) in the body caused less sensitivity when NAC was administered ^[2].

NAC is a natural product derived from cysteine. Inactivations of some antibiotics have been observed in vitro when mixed with N-acetylcysteine such as semi-synthetic penicillins, tetracyclines, cephalosporins and aminoglycosides. When on these medications it is recommended taking 2 hours apart from PharmaNAC dosing. For antibiotics such as amoxicillin, doxycycline, erythromycin, thiamphenicole and cefuroxime no incompatibilities were found. We do however recommend consulting your doctor first when taking NAC with other medications.

NAC has been around for a long time and is one of the most researched amino acid derivatives, so it’s no surprise you’ll find it in your local health store. NAC however is easily oxidized when exposed to air and an open bottle of capsules is very vulnerable to oxidation. PharmaNAC individually wraps each tablet in 4-layer vacuum seal to protect each NAC table from degradation and oxidation. PharmaNAC also delivers 900mg per tablet as compared to 600mg capsules and is available in an effervescent form providing an alternative for those who have difficulty swallowing capsules. In a study done in the European journal of Clinical Pharmacology it was found that oral does of fast dissolving tablets had a higher bioavailability than slow release tablets ^[3]. Solid capsules or tablets are dissolved gradually in the stomach and depending on the individual physiological factors capsules may not fully dissolve and cause irritation on the mucous membrane of the stomach. Effervescent tablets allow for an even distribution of NAC concentration and create a balanced buffered solution for easy absorption. NAC powder has a very unpleasant taste due to the sulfur found in cysteine and most are not able to tolerate the awful taste. PharmaNAC flavors NAC with a great Wildberry taste, providing you with an enjoyable fizzy drink.