“Overwhelming Evidence:” N-Acetyl Cysteine Praised By Researchers for Its Health-Protective Effects

AHA Publisher — Mon, 18 Apr 2022 07:38:23 +0000

Lori Alton via NaturalHealth365 – Each year, an alarming 56,000 people require treatment in the ER for acetaminophen overdose – and over 26,000 of them are hospitalized. The “gold standard” antidote for acetaminophen toxicity (the number one cause of liver failure in the United States, by the way) is n-acetyl cysteine, also known as NAC. But, there’s much more to know about this amazing substance. First of all, it’s no secret that n-acetyl cysteine – a supplemental form of the amino acid cysteine – has powerful detoxifying properties. A new review published in Antioxidants highlights the potential of this natural supplement to protect the liver and help preserve the health of the brain and lungs. Let’s look at some of the mechanisms behind NAC’s therapeutic effects and the surprising ways in which n-acetyl cysteine benefits some common conditions. Scientists Cite “Overwhelming Evidence” of NAC’s Ability to Support Healthy Liver Function Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, or NAFLD, involves harmful fat deposits in the liver. While this condition can be mild, it sometimes progresses to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a more severe form of the disease. This can in turn lead to liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and even death. As the national incidence of NAFLD continues to climb, researchers point to the encouraging ability of NAC to support a healthy liver. Animal studies have shown that NAC can interfere with liver fat accumulation and enhance the function of liver enzymes through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. In addition, NAC supplementation also raises levels of glutathione– the indispensable enzyme responsible for fighting oxidative stress and neutralizing toxins. (In fact, the body converts NAC to the amino acid cysteine, which is one of the major “building blocks” needed to produce glutathione in the first place). While more human studies are needed, recent research has suggested that 1000 mg of NAC a day significantly improves the function of liver enzymes and lowers levels of inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein and malondialdehyde. The researchers concluded that “overwhelming evidence” supports the beneficial effects of NAC to support a healthy liver. N-Acetyl Cysteine Regulates Glutamate to “Calm Down” Over-Stimulation and Inflammation in the Brain While the amino acid glutamate is needed for normal brain function, it is also classified as an excitatory neurotransmitter – meaning that it stimulates the cells of the nervous system. When present in excessive amounts, glutamate depletes much-needed glutathione, over-stimulating brain cells and triggering neuroinflammation and even brain damage. (It’s no surprise that excessive glutamate is believed to be associated with autism, ADHD, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, depression, and schizophrenia). By regulating glutamate levels in the brain, NAC may help decrease feelings of sadness and slow cognitive decline. In a 2017 review published in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Review, authors noted that while studies were limited, NAC seemed to be particularly helpful in improving participants’ cognitive abilities. Combining NAC with vitamin E, various B vitamins, S-adenosyl methionine, and acetyl-L carnitine was particularly beneficial. Studies Find NAC Helps Promote Lung Health Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, is characterized by chronic inflammation and airway obstruction, making breathing difficult. Studies have shown that NAC can restore intracellular glutathione that has been decreased by oxidative stress and inflammation. Of course, as they say, the proof is in the pudding. In one 10-day study, taking 1,200 mg of NAC daily helped contribute to the “normalization of inflammatory markers.” Support Adequate Cysteine Levels With Proper Nutrition You can boost your dietary intake of cysteine with cage-free (pasture raised) poultry, eggs and dairy products such as, raw milk. Good sources for vegans include organic sunflower seeds and legumes. It should be noted: the production of cysteine also depends on having sufficient levels of B vitamins, such as B6, B9, and B12. You can get these through lentils, beans, bananas, wild-caught salmon, and tuna. However, NAC supplementation may be necessary to help maintain optimal cysteine levels. Natural healers typically advise 600 mg to 1,200 mg of NAC a day, but as always, check with your integrative doctor before supplementing. Finally, you ought to know, low levels of NAC contribute to the risk of a glutathione deficiency – the body’s “master antioxidant” – which can lead to oxidative stress and a host of serious health issues. Ultimately, by replenishing and restoring this all-important compound, n-acetyl cysteine certainly “does its bit” to support effective detoxification and overall wellbeing. Sources for this article include: Harvard.edu NIH.gov Healthline.com NIH.gov AlzheimerDiscovery.org NIH.gov To read the original article click here.

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Decades of Research Confirms: Popular OTC Drug Linked to Harm in Developing Babies

AHA Publisher — Fri, 15 Oct 2021 07:00:45 +0000

Karen Sanders via NaturalHealth365 – Is taking acetaminophen (brand name Tylenol®) during pregnancy harmful to developing babies? A growing scientific consensus says yes. Unfortunately, this growing consensus is not based on “new” data. In fact, the call for “precautionary action” is based on at least 25 years of scientific data involving thousands of mothers and children. Household Painkiller Taken During Pregnancy Harms Developing Fetus in MULTIPLE Ways, Growing Research Shows Acetaminophen (also called APAP, or paracetamol outside the United States) is in the spotlight thanks to a consensus statement published in Nature Reviews Endocrinology. The September 23, 2021, statement, endorsed by an international team of 91 scientists, public health experts, and medical doctors, states that pregnant women should “forego [acetaminophen] unless its use is medically indicated.” One possible medical indication would be fever reduction, as maternal fever is a known cause of neural tube defects. However, research indicates the majority of pregnant women who take acetaminophen are doing because of things like headaches and back pain – not fever. The question is: Do pregnant women (and their healthcare providers) truly understand the possible risks associated with this common over-the-counter drug? Just looking at the drug insert for acetaminophen should be a reason to pause, where it admits that it “is not known whether acetaminophen can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman.” It’s known now, however. In a statement to CNN, Dr. Shanna Swan, co-author of the consensus paper and professor of environmental medicine and public health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, says there’s a “significant body of evidence that suggests that [acetaminophen] disrupts the reproductive development of animals and humans.” This includes evidence showing that acetaminophen use in pregnancy increases the risk of undescended testicles in male offspring, which is associated with decreased fertility and sperm count later in life. In their consensus statement, the global team of researchers points to years of concerning data, including 29 observational studies including more than 220,000 mother-child pairs showing adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. It’s not clear yet how acetaminophen can damage developing babies, but the drug is known as an endocrine disruptor. (Two other popular pain relievers, aspirin, and ibuprofen are already linked to birth defects.) Of course, acetaminophen is no stranger to adverse health effects. It remains the leading cause of drug-induced acute liver failure in the United States and is a leading cause of emergency department visits and hospitalizations. The negative impact of acetaminophen isn’t limited to fetuses only. Ten years ago, Reuters reported on a study from The Journal of Urology which found that men who regularly used over-the-counter painkillers like Tylenol were almost 40% more likely to suffer from impotence. Why Would Officials Rush to Expose Pregnant Women and Young Children to New Injections? You might wonder: why now? Why, after years of support from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and other organizations, is acetaminophen during pregnancy coming under fire? Dr. Swan puts it simply: the growing accumulation of data over time. “As time progresses,” she states, “stronger and stronger evidence suggests that we’ve only been underestimating risk [of maternal acetaminophen use.]” This is an important statement, especially in the context of brand-new mRNA injections currently being pushed on pregnant women and children – despite the complete lack of long-term safety data. Is the potential benefit of these drugs truly work the known and unknown risks? Should pregnant, nursing, and trying to conceive women truly have to choose between taking these drugs or else lose their jobs and lose access to public spaces? Is this ethical? Sources for this article include: CNN.com Nature.com NIH.gov Medlineplus.gov Statnews.com Reuters.com AAFP.org FDA.gov NIH.gov To read the original article click here.

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“Overwhelming Evidence:” N-Acetyl Cysteine Praised By Researchers for Its Health-Protective Effects

Decades of Research Confirms: Popular OTC Drug Linked to Harm in Developing Babies