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The Amazing Benefits of NAC: What Is It? How Can It Help You?

This post was written by our amazing guest Angelika:

I have been suffering from endometriosis since age eleven and had a diagnosis very late in life, which resulted in having to remove my female organs. I didn’t agree to having all the organs removed but unfortunately did have some removed. I felt okay for the first year. Unfortunately, all my problems returned gradually and two years after my operation life became a struggle again. On top of this I developed symptoms of fibromyalgia.

I knew that I did not want to have another operation and neither did I want to receive artificial hormones with all their side effects to control my endometriosis.

I felt that I had to do my own research on the internet. Interestingly there was a lot about the connection between endometriosis and environmental toxins and inflammation on the internet, something I had never heard about before.

Obviously, some scientists link pesticides, dioxins and other environmental pollutants to the development of endometriosis. Also, I found out that endometriosis is a multifaceted illness that impacts the immune system and the bowels as well. That explained my life-long struggle with infections and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Going deeper into the matter I learnt that oxidative stress in cells may lead to the development and growth of endometriomas outside the lining of the womb, causing chronic inflammation, adhesions and pain.

Oxidative stress is defined by an increase in free radicals and inflammatory mediators inside the cells. Oxidative stress itself is seen as a cause for many illnesses and a malfunctioning immune system.

I was excited as everything pointed to an antioxidant, which is produced in the liver and is involved in literally every metabolic process within the body at cell level: glutathione.

Some scientists think that women suffering from endometriosis might have a defective enzyme pathway in the production of glutathione which might develop in the early stages of pregnancy when the mother is exposed to environmental toxins.

Environmental toxins, stress, and chemicals in food can cause the liver to become depleted of glutathione. This leads to an imbalance in female hormones, specifically an overload of estrogens. Even the menstrual cycle itself places a demand on glutathione, as there is a higher demand for it in the second half of the cycle.

Glutathione is involved in the detoxification of the body from heavy metals, pesticides, estradiol, chlorinated hydrocarbon solvents, prostaglandins, leukotrienes, acetaminophene and many other toxins. It regulates the cell cycle, DNA and protein synthesis and proteolysis and gene expression and decreases the cellular production of pro-inflammatory mediators.

I understood that glutathione was the key to a better functioning immune system and to reducing the overshooting inflammation that makes endometriosis so difficult to control.

The easiest and fastest way to increase the glutathione level in the liver is actually by taking N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC), a modified precursor of this powerful antioxidant. I was greatly encouraged to try this substance when I found an article by the Italian scientists Tiziana Parasassi and Maria Grazia Porpora, in which they described that NAC actually directly prevents endometrioma cells to proliferate without suppressing the ovary function as done by the usual pharmacological treatment. This way it results in pain relief and can even help some women to conceive. As NAC increases the level of glutathione in the liver it enhances estrogen metabolism and therefore rebalances the female hormones. It can also improve the symptoms of chronic fatigue which many women with endometriosis suffer from.

I decided to start an experiment on myself, as it appeared to be a very safe substance. The research results told me that there were no side effects when it was taken in the safe dose of 1,800–2,400 mg/day for three months. I take capsules of NAC on three alternating days in the week, three times a day.

The results have been amazing!

My fibromyalgia symptoms have completely disappeared after the first week of taking it. My periods are far better and completely manageable. I can easily control the pain with natural remedies and I am able to go to work during my period. I have no pain and no bleeding between periods any more. I am more energetic!

I can tell that my hormone levels are better balanced by the disappearance of the pain in my breasts. My chronic gastritis is less painful, my IBS flare ups lessened and I just dealt with a confirmed influenza incredibly easily. I have only one more week left to take it and I am considering continuing it.

I looked up side effects for prolonged treatment and they do not scare me. I have to make sure my body PH is alkaline and to drink sufficient water in order to avoid the development of kidney stones. As I am on a vegetarian, organic, anti-inflammatory diet my PH is usually alkaline anyway. I can enhance this by taking potassium citrate if in doubt.

In order to maintain the good result I achieved from taking NAC I hold on to a specific lifestyle. I stay away from xenoestrogens and toxins as much as possible. I enjoy researching and finding heaps of information to heal my body naturally.

Thank you so much for sharing this hugely valuable information, Angelika!

 

You can purchase NAC here, from a reputable manufacturer.

Hugs, Melissa x
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This Post Has 24 Comments

  1. Leticia

    Hi, thank you so much for sharing! It gave me some hope, I’m probably on the pathway for another laparoscopy and I’m thinking of trying NAC (I have just discovered it!). Would you be able to give us an update on your NAC treatment? Since it’s been a while now, do you still think it was helpful? did you notice some decrease in the endo lesions during such time?
    Thank you so much

  2. Kristine Hidalgo

    Hi.did you try taking other meds with it?thanks

  3. Missey

    HI,
    I’m wondering if your good results continued?

  4. Ciara

    Hello
    You take NAC for endo 3 days in a row, how long do you break for, thanks x

  5. Michelle

    I was a taking NAC for about 6 months. However I felt like it made me feel too sluggish and tiree . Especially in the morning. Since I stopped taking it I do have more energy however my PMS symptoms are worse with swollen painful breasts. I’m about to start taking NAC again as I feel the benefits outweigh the risks.

  6. christabel

    How can i get NAC? I dnt really know how to order on line but i did now is like is not going,

  7. Flavia

    Does anyone know what the recommended dosage for this is?
    Thanks x

  8. Erika

    I have been taking a supplement called Myomin. It’s an herbal supplement that helps balance hormones. I took it for about 4 months religiously and my symptoms of Endo were greatly improved. I didn’t get the debilitating cramps during that time. Then when I stopped taking it everyday I noticed the symptoms came back again. I would highly recommend trying it!

  9. Barbara

    Sounds promising! I’m trying to read into it, and also found the following info.:

    “Silymarin prevents damage to the liver by acting as an antioxidant. It is much more effective than vitamin E and vitamin C. Numerous research studies have demonstrated its protective effect on the liver. Extremely toxic chemicals such as carbon tetrachloride, amanita toxin, galactosamine and praseodymium nitrate produce experimental liver damage in animals. Silymarin has been shown to protect the liver against these toxins.

    Silymarin also works by preventing the depletion of glutathione. The higher the glutathione content, the greater the liver’s capacity to detoxify harmful chemicals. Moreover, silymarin has been shown to increase the level of glutathione by up to 35 %. In human studies, silymarin has been shown to exhibit positive effects in treating liver diseases of various kinds including cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis, fatty infiltration of the liver, and inflammation of the bile duct. The common dosage for silymarin is 70 to 200 mg one to three times a day.”

    I’m not sure where NAC is composed of, but at least I’m sure Silymarin is 100% natural. Anyone who knows more about NAC?

  10. Belinda

    I have been taking NAC for a little while but haven’t noticed any changes yet. I started taking it because it is supposedly an excellent anti-inflammatory for PCOS. I have both PCOS and Endo

  11. Clare

    Thanks for this very useful post. I have also seen the study on endo and NAC. The study team have applied for a patent for something using NAC for endo but this is not necessary because NAC can be easily and cheaply purchased.
    Magnesium is also implicated in Fibro and Endo. Like NAC it is an important precursor of glutathione.

  12. Miranda

    I am taking Macca Root. Should I stop taking it if I was going to try the NAC?

  13. Rachael

    I read about NAC recently and was considering buying it to take alongside the alkalising salts I am taking to keep my ph levels alkaline – I think this has just confirmed that its the right thing to invest in and I am looking forward to the results. I have no physical PMS symptoms anymore but I am struggling with my skin and my moods so maybe this will help with that 🙂

    Thank you so much for posting this x

  14. Melissa

    Hi Sabrina,
    Not too familiar with using IVF. It might be better to ask a doctor on that one.

  15. Sabrina

    Thank you for sharing info! Do you have any information about the safety of taking NAC while trying to get pregnant (IVF)?

  16. Anonymous

    Thanks for sharing this information. I’m trying to detoxify through juicing and alkalizing my body. For the most part I follow a clean diet but have not seen great results yet. I’ll definitely give it a try!

  17. Emma

    Hi
    This is really interesting and I will definitely give this a go – thanks so much for posting. Whilst searching for NAC and reading about glutathione on the internet, I came across glutathione in supplement form – does anyone know anything about this?
    Emma

  18. Emma

    Thank you Angelika for doing your research and sharing it with us! I’m so glad it’s worked so well for you – and like you say – it hasn’t only worked at improving things endo-wise, which is a massive bonus, especially seeing as we tend to try lots of different supplements which have mostly unseen effects – so it’s nice to finally find something which really is a missing part of the puzzle, and has, as the title states – ‘amazing benefits’.

    I had been reading a bit about NAC and its use as a liver helper, but it wasn’t until you posted the link to the research papers online linking NAC to endo, that I thought I should give it a go myself. I started taking it during a long, drawn out period that I was having, and the next period after taking 600mg of NAC 3 times a day on 3 days of the week, was my first entirely pain free one since endo became a part of my life over a year ago (I believe i had it longer – but without the intense pains which started over a year ago).

    Not only did it take the pain away for that period, but it’s also given me more energy, clear skin, bright eyes – even when i’m tired, shiny hair, and just all round better health. I can definitely say this is down to adding NAC to everything I do generally because it was the only new thing I incorporated into my regime.

    I think it’s important that ladies know that this is a supplement for all the other work you do with a clean diet and self-caring lifestyle. Every woman is different – and on different stages on their paths to healing, so be aware that this isn’t a miracle pill – but will definitely help you achieve your goals!

    For me, I’m just so grateful that i had that one break from the dreaded pains! And of course i’m hopeful for more. I’m glad this info is available for all the blog readers!

  19. Kelli

    Thanks for posting this! I am going to try the NAC for the next few months and see how things go.

  20. Darlene

    Great info! I think I’ll be getting me some NAC very soon! 😉

  21. Darlene

    Great info! I think I’ll be getting me some NAC very soon! 😉

  22. Aubree

    Thank you for sharing this info Angelica! I picked up some NAC to try. I am excited that it has produced such positive results — I know that this info will help a lot of gals 🙂

  23. Joanna

    Thank you, Angelika! This is tremendous job you have done for us!

  24. Amber

    Thanks for the great information! New research is always exciting.

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I'm Melissa

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