Why NAC?

NAC is valued primarily for its role in antioxidant production. Along with two other amino acids — glutamine and glycine — NAC is necessary to make and replenish glutathione. NAC helps regulate glutamate levels, the brain’s most important neurotransmitter. While glutamate is required for regular brain activity, excess glutamate and glutathione depletion can cause brain damage. NAC and glutathione also benefit immune health. N -acetylcysteine was associated with significant improvements in concussion symptoms in elderly patients with mild TBI. Subjects receiving NAC within 24 hours of blast had an 86% chance of symptom resolution with no reported side effects versus 42% for those seen early who received placebo. NAC (200mg/kg) provided marked neuroprotection with up to 78% reduction of brain injury in the pre+post-HI treatment group and 41% in the early (0 hour) post-HI treatment group, which was much more pronounced protection than another free radical scavenger, melatonin. Protection by NAC was associated with the following factors: reduced isoprostane activation and nitrotyrosine formation; increased levels of the antioxidants glutathione, thioredoxin-2, and inhibition of caspase-3, calpain, and caspase-1 activation.