NAC supplement?

Posted by libbyh @libbyh, Nov 27, 2022

A friend of mine suggested the supplement NAC (N-acetylcysteine) for my long Covid. I have never heard of it. Has anyone tried this?

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There is evidence (a Kaiser study for example) that shows that NAC does help with breathing issues. Asthma was my long haul gift from Covid and I think it helped me (though I’m about 90% recovered 2-years out). Note that the US government has caught wind that NAC is beneficial, so they are beginning to regulate it (of course), so NAC’s getting tougher to find. Last stock I found was challenging, so I stocked up big.

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@otter2154

There is evidence (a Kaiser study for example) that shows that NAC does help with breathing issues. Asthma was my long haul gift from Covid and I think it helped me (though I’m about 90% recovered 2-years out). Note that the US government has caught wind that NAC is beneficial, so they are beginning to regulate it (of course), so NAC’s getting tougher to find. Last stock I found was challenging, so I stocked up big.

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You said "Note that the US government has caught wind that NAC is beneficial, so they are beginning to regulate it" - but that is not exactly what happened. NAC is used (in high doses) in a hospital setting to protect the liver in cases of acetominophen overdose. The long-standing FDA policy is that if a drug is used by prescription, it cannot be marketed as a supplement, so they have challenged its availability over-the-counter several times, the latest in 2021. A few pharmaceutical companies chose to take their supplement off the market to avoid interacting with the FDA. Others have chosen to continue to supply it.

I have asthma and bronchiectasis (both predate Covid) and find NAC (N acetyl cysteine)in 500-600 mg capsules helpful in keeping the inflammation down in my lungs, which reduces exacerbations and makes breathing easier. There are a number of studies of people with bronchiectasis or cystic fibrosis showing it to help some people. It seems to be safe, so is probably worth a try if you have breathing issues. It is a low, safe dose, so results are not instantaneous - takes about a month, used twice a day, to determine whether it works.

Sue

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I take it every day on an empty stomach before dinner & breakfast along with Quercetin with Bromelain.
Rachel R.

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@rachelr

I take it every day on an empty stomach before dinner & breakfast along with Quercetin with Bromelain.
Rachel R.

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Hi Rachel, What are you taking the NAC for with Quercetin and Bromelain? and is it helping? thank you.

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@sueinmn

You said "Note that the US government has caught wind that NAC is beneficial, so they are beginning to regulate it" - but that is not exactly what happened. NAC is used (in high doses) in a hospital setting to protect the liver in cases of acetominophen overdose. The long-standing FDA policy is that if a drug is used by prescription, it cannot be marketed as a supplement, so they have challenged its availability over-the-counter several times, the latest in 2021. A few pharmaceutical companies chose to take their supplement off the market to avoid interacting with the FDA. Others have chosen to continue to supply it.

I have asthma and bronchiectasis (both predate Covid) and find NAC (N acetyl cysteine)in 500-600 mg capsules helpful in keeping the inflammation down in my lungs, which reduces exacerbations and makes breathing easier. There are a number of studies of people with bronchiectasis or cystic fibrosis showing it to help some people. It seems to be safe, so is probably worth a try if you have breathing issues. It is a low, safe dose, so results are not instantaneous - takes about a month, used twice a day, to determine whether it works.

Sue

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Hi Sue,

I have asthma too and we had it in our Covid medicine box, the NAC the past few years, along with Quercetin.

However, I recently had an asthma exacerbation, at the end of a cold. The kind where you pretty much know. your'e going to end up on prednisone.. Well, I took 1000 mg of NAC in the morning, only in the morning, on an empty stomach, and it worked. I also took a lot of Magnesium as that can be helpful too, and minimized protein intake. Fasting seems to keep the asthma away when on the edge of having to take prednisone. I was thrilled it worked, and I think the NAC was the extra ingredient that helped me get through the inflammation.

In your comment, you mention 500 mg is a low safe dose. Do you think that 1000 mg is too high? I have been continuing to take 1000 mg a day. Thanks,

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@dixiemmama

Hi Rachel, What are you taking the NAC for with Quercetin and Bromelain? and is it helping? thank you.

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What benefits have you had after taking NAC and Bromelain?
Thanks Helen

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Just received my NAC package yesterday. Adding it as another ingredient to my "Covid Recovery Shake". Read some studies where -especially in combo with another drug and/or supplements - NAC decreased brain fog and/or shortness of breath. Leaving the drug (Guanfacine in the Yale study) out right now and sticking to the supplements, so we'll see.....

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Taking it now..supposed to help with lung support ??? Not sure if it’s helping or not..starting physical therapy and will see if that helps with reconditioning ..willing to try

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I have asthma after COVID. Now I am using Symbicort 160/4.5 but sometimes, still feel shortness of breath. Do you think I should try NAC? DO you guys take Symbicort?

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I take it but am not sure if it’s helping or not?

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