We live in a highly toxic world, and every second of every day we need to help protect ourselves against cell-damaging free radicals, heavy metals, environmental poisons, and other harmful substances that can cause hormone imbalances, disease, and other health concerns. NAC, which is short for N-acetyl-L-cysteine, plays a critical role in this protective process and in supporting overall health.

What is NAC?

N-Acetyl-L-cysteine is the supplement form of cysteine, a semi-essential amino acid that the body can produce from methionine and serine, two other amino acids. Cysteine is present in foods high in protein, such as legumes, seeds, eggs, chicken, and turkey. 

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It’s important for the body to get adequate amounts of cysteine and NAC for several reasons, one of which is the building of antioxidants. The most important antioxidant is glutathione, which plays a critical role in ridding the body of harmful substances. Cysteine is a natural precursor of glutathione from foods, such as broccoli, asparagus, and cauliflower, but NAC is an immediate and more direct precursor to glutathione.

Since we are all surrounded by potentially health-damaging stuff ranging from food additives to chemicals and toxins in our cosmetics, health products, household cleaners, building materials, food storage containers, furniture, cars, and more, knowing how to protect and detox our bodies against these assaults is essential. NAC can help because it’s needed to make and replenish supplies of glutathione.

Read about 9 herbs to detox your body

How can NAC benefit menopausal women?

Women in perimenopause and menopause will find a number of reasons to make this supplement a part of their healthy routine. Here are a few examples.

• Heart disease risk rises among women in menopause and beyond, so it’s important to protect cardiovascular health. Research shows that providing L-cysteine can help preserve glutathione levels. NAC also may lower heart disease risk by reducing oxidative damage to heart tissue. Another heart benefit comes in the form of higher nitric oxide production, which helps veins widen and enhances blood flow. 
• Chronic exposure to metals in the environment, such as lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury, is a growing problem. These and other metals have the ability to deplete glutathione and inhibit antioxidative enzymes. NAC supplementation may help with detoxification.
• Brain health and the risk of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia are a concern among older women. NAC not only helps replenish glutathione; it also regulates glutamate levels in the brain. Glutamate is involved in memory, behavior, and learning. Therefore supplementing with NAC may benefit memory and brain health. Some research suggests NAC may slow the loss of cognitive abilities in individuals with Alzheimer’s.
• Insulin resistance, which is a factor in unwanted weight gain, may be improved with NAC. Animal studies have shown that NAC can stabilize blood glucose levels by reducing inflammation in fat cells.
• A healthy immune system is essential for everyone, and NAC may help. Research has shown that NAC supplements can bring about a significant increase in immune function in individuals with HIV. In a laboratory study, NAC seemed to interfere with the certain virus’s ability to reproduce.

Using NAC supplements

Your body makes cysteine but it needs adequate amounts of vitamins B6 and B12 as well as folate. Most foods rich in protein also contain cysteine. However, an NAC supplement can help increase cysteine intake. A 900-mg dose is typical, but talk to your healthcare provider about the dose best for your needs. 

Bottom line

NAC supplements can bring a number of health benefits to the table for women in their perimenopause and menopause years and beyond.