About N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC) and finding it

Posted by Margie E @margiebanks, Sep 29, 2021

I've been out of the lung support NAC by Jarrow. Seems it's nowhere to be found online. Suggestions anyone? Thanks Margie

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@dee65

I read an article that said to beware of these ‘fillers’ in NAC products.

Beware: Harmful Fillers
Magnesium Stearate

This cheap filler is used to help bind ingredients together and lubricate the supplement so it doesn’t gum up when it is run through the manufacturing machines. Magnesium stearate adds no nutritional value and can become toxic to your system.

Titanium Dioxide

Widely relied upon in supplement manufacturing as a coloring agent and binding mineral, titanium dioxide can compromise the health of your immune system. Low-quality health supplements typically include this filler.

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It would be really helpful if you would cite the specific article. Magnesium stearate is used in many supplements and pharmaceuticals as well as foods.
I cannot find scientific evidence that it is harmful to humans in the quantities that would be consumed in supplements and medications. It does appearmthat those who take too much may experience a laxative effect.
Here is what was reported after evaluating the studies of massive doses in mice and hamster lung cells: " Many magnesium-containing food additives have been evaluated individually, but not collectively, for laxative effects. Based on the recent dietary exposure assessment to magnesium stearate and concern that use of magnesium salts in many food additives may result in cumulative exposure that could lead to a laxative effect, JECFA reiterated its earlier recommendation [35] that total dietary exposure to magnesium from food additives and other sources in the diet be assessed [15]. Although effects of cumulative exposure to magnesium via food additives should be evaluated, the studies reported here indicate a lack of genotoxic risk posed specifically by magnesium stearate consumed at current estimated dietary exposures." (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5655391/)
The articles I found citing possible harm seem to be published by supplement distributors, some of whom (like NOW) actually use them in their products.

So, as with all things, it appears caution and moderation are a good thing. None of the supplements in my cupboard contain titanium dioxide, so I did not research it.
Sue

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@sueinmn

It would be really helpful if you would cite the specific article. Magnesium stearate is used in many supplements and pharmaceuticals as well as foods.
I cannot find scientific evidence that it is harmful to humans in the quantities that would be consumed in supplements and medications. It does appearmthat those who take too much may experience a laxative effect.
Here is what was reported after evaluating the studies of massive doses in mice and hamster lung cells: " Many magnesium-containing food additives have been evaluated individually, but not collectively, for laxative effects. Based on the recent dietary exposure assessment to magnesium stearate and concern that use of magnesium salts in many food additives may result in cumulative exposure that could lead to a laxative effect, JECFA reiterated its earlier recommendation [35] that total dietary exposure to magnesium from food additives and other sources in the diet be assessed [15]. Although effects of cumulative exposure to magnesium via food additives should be evaluated, the studies reported here indicate a lack of genotoxic risk posed specifically by magnesium stearate consumed at current estimated dietary exposures." (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5655391/)
The articles I found citing possible harm seem to be published by supplement distributors, some of whom (like NOW) actually use them in their products.

So, as with all things, it appears caution and moderation are a good thing. None of the supplements in my cupboard contain titanium dioxide, so I did not research it.
Sue

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Thank you for the input. I was trying to get information after reading the NAC comments on a product I’d never heard of. This one had a list of good and bad ingredients….thus my question. I want to try one to hopefully get positive results!

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@kathyhg

I’ve been taking two 600 mg capsules per day but I noticed that some brands say take one capsule a day and others say two. Any idea why that might be the case?

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I admit I have never read the directions on a NAC bottle. I learned about NAC from a copd support group years ago and the amount people were taking was 600 mg 2x a day.

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@sueinmn

NAC was challenged as a supplement by the FDA, because in MUCH higher doses, it has been used in hospitals as an emergency detox against Tylenol and some other overdoses. As a result, a number of companies, including Jarrow, have dropped it. There are still some brands available. I have used Swanson brand, and it is still available.
Sue

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Is it true that the best NAC includes Milk Thistle?

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@nac1

Is it true that the best NAC includes Milk Thistle?

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I have never heard that, can you tell me where you read it?
Sue

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Google NAC and many choices will come up including NAC Sustain by Jarrow. However, the pills are very large.

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@sueinmn

I have never heard that, can you tell me where you read it?
Sue

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I cannot remember because I read so many articles. Will try to find. Also, I stopped taking NAC because I noticed an increase in itching.

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@nac1

Google NAC and many choices will come up including NAC Sustain by Jarrow. However, the pills are very large.

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Jarrow no longer makes NAC Sustain due to challenges to its use as a supplement by the FDA - since a high dose is a prescription drug, they argue that lower doses may not be sold as an unregulated supplement. The final decision is pending, and in the meantime, NAC can be a little harder to find. Also, inhaled NAC in ampules is a prescription medication.

NAC(ysteine)* is a mucolytic (thins mucus) when taken in dosages of 600-1200 mg daily. In high doses, it is used to detoxify liver and or kidneys after reaction to dyes used in procedures, or acetaminophen overdose.

Addition of milk thistle was done by a specific supplement maker, and promoted in their literature as a liver detoxifier, but is not necessarily beneficial to the lungs.

*There is another supplement sometimes referred to as NAC - it is N-acetyl-carnitine, and is not the same product, nor is it a mucolytic.

Sue

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@sueinmn

Jarrow no longer makes NAC Sustain due to challenges to its use as a supplement by the FDA - since a high dose is a prescription drug, they argue that lower doses may not be sold as an unregulated supplement. The final decision is pending, and in the meantime, NAC can be a little harder to find. Also, inhaled NAC in ampules is a prescription medication.

NAC(ysteine)* is a mucolytic (thins mucus) when taken in dosages of 600-1200 mg daily. In high doses, it is used to detoxify liver and or kidneys after reaction to dyes used in procedures, or acetaminophen overdose.

Addition of milk thistle was done by a specific supplement maker, and promoted in their literature as a liver detoxifier, but is not necessarily beneficial to the lungs.

*There is another supplement sometimes referred to as NAC - it is N-acetyl-carnitine, and is not the same product, nor is it a mucolytic.

Sue

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Sue, this is the posting by you that made me think that milk thistle added to NAC was good for the liver. Also, why are eye condition postings mixed in with MAC postings? Is it because I also signed up for the Eye Conditions Group at Mayo Connect? Very confusing at times.

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@nac1

Sue, this is the posting by you that made me think that milk thistle added to NAC was good for the liver. Also, why are eye condition postings mixed in with MAC postings? Is it because I also signed up for the Eye Conditions Group at Mayo Connect? Very confusing at times.

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You must have seen the response in your "Notifications" - the messages there are in the order posted, and not separated by group or topic. It actually is in the MAC group postings.
I have not posted anything stating milk thistle added to NAC is beneficial - that is a claim by one or more manufacturers, unsupported by evidence. NAC itself is a liver detoxifier as well as a mucolytic (mucus thinner), so my original remark was a question as to why the person in the original message wanted the combo.
It is likely a case where more different ingredients are not necessarily better, but that it depends on the purpose. So, if you want a mucolytic, you can take NAC as long as it is not problematic for you. If you want a liver detoxifier, research the best one out there (I have not) and use that.

Have you use NAC(ysteine) or another mucolytic, like guaifenesin (one brand is Mucinex)?

Sue

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