N-Acetylcysteine (NAC)

NAC · N-acetylcysteine · acetylcysteine

A glutathione precursor with real medical uses, repurposed as an anti-aging antioxidant.

TipoSupplement / dietary

Il voto risponde a: What does the human evidence support for: Glutathione support?

Grado

Limitata

Il voto misura la qualità dell'evidenza, non è un consiglio ad assumere o acquistare.

Classe: Antioxidant / precursor
Uso principale: Glutathione support
Forza evidenza: medium
Ultima revisione: 2026-07-01

In sintesi

A genuine drug for specific problems (paracetamol overdose, mucus clearance) — but its longevity and general-wellness claims rest on much thinner evidence. Useful, over-extended.

Cosa dice l'evidenza

NAC has solid, established roles in medicine: it's the antidote for paracetamol (acetaminophen) poisoning and a mucolytic in chronic lung disease. Those are not longevity endpoints. The anti-aging pitch — raising glutathione to fight oxidative stress — is mechanistically plausible and supported by small trials (including as half of the GlyNAC combination), but outcome evidence for slowing aging is limited. Grade C: real pharmacology, speculative longevity framing.

Studi chiave

[1]
NAC and glutathione status · review
Raises glutathione; clinical benefit is context-dependent.
Apri su PubMed ↗
[2]
GlyNAC (glycine + NAC) in aging · pilot trial
Improved oxidative-stress and mitochondrial markers in small trials.
Apri su PubMed ↗
[3]
NAC clinical applications (review) · review
Strongest evidence is outside the longevity space.
Apri su PubMed ↗

Vedi tutti gli studi su PubMed ↗

Meccanismo

Provides cysteine, the rate-limiting substrate for synthesis of glutathione, the cell's main antioxidant; also has direct thiol antioxidant and mucolytic effects.

Sicurezza

Generally well tolerated orally; can cause nausea or GI upset, and rarely bronchospasm in sensitive individuals. Regulatory status as a supplement has been contested in some markets given its drug heritage.

Contesto dosaggio

Supplement trials commonly use ~600–1800 mg/day. Medical uses (overdose, lung disease) follow specific clinical protocols that don't translate to casual 'longevity' dosing.

Esempi di applicazione

Taken ~600–1800 mg/day as a glutathione precursor.
Has real medical uses (paracetamol antidote, mucus) beyond wellness.
The anti-aging framing is more speculative than its drug uses.

Nota dal campo

NAC is a real drug wearing a supplement label. We respect its proven uses and stay sceptical of the anti-aging leap — 'raises glutathione' is not the same as 'extends healthspan'.

Molecole correlate

GlyNAC (glycine + NAC)C GlycineC

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