Evidence supporting the use of: N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
For the health condition: Congestion (bronchial)

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 4

N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) is scientifically validated for use in treating or supporting bronchial congestion. NAC acts as a mucolytic agent, meaning it helps break down and thin mucus, making it easier to clear from the airways. This effect is due to its ability to disrupt disulfide bonds in mucoproteins, thereby reducing mucus viscosity. Clinical studies and systematic reviews have demonstrated that NAC can reduce the frequency and severity of exacerbations in chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), both of which often involve significant bronchial congestion. For example, a meta-analysis published in the European Respiratory Review (2017) found that NAC supplementation significantly reduced the risk of exacerbations and improved overall symptoms in chronic bronchitis and COPD patients. NAC is also commonly used in hospital settings as an inhaled or oral agent for managing thick pulmonary secretions in conditions like cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, and other respiratory illnesses where mucus buildup is problematic. While most studies focus on chronic conditions, its mucolytic effects are also beneficial in acute settings, such as during respiratory infections with excessive mucus production. Overall, the evidence base for NAC’s use in bronchial congestion is robust, with decades of clinical use and several well-conducted trials supporting its efficacy.

More about n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
More about Congestion (bronchial)

Other ingredients used for Congestion (bronchial)

allspice
aloe vera
alpha-pinene
waterhyssop
basil
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-pinene
black cumin
black currant
black pepper
Indian frankincense
bupleurum falcatum
bасора
caffeine
capsaicinoids
chamomile
chen pi
Chinese salvia root
clove
Coptis chinensis
cowage seed
turmeric
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
ethanol
forsythia
garlic bulb
ginger
grape
onion
green tea
horseradish
Indian tinospora
licorice root
lovage
mustard seed
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
spruce
ophiopogon root
oregano
perilla
phellodendron amurense
platycodon root
pomegranate
quercetin
rosemary
scrophularia root
shiitake mushroom
spearmint leaf
sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
vitamin C
yellow root
squawvine
boneset
mullein
hyssop
cardamom
atractylodes
capsicum
mugwort
malabar nut
alpinia galangal
ferula assafoetida
inula racemosa
anise
blackboard tree
lingusticum wallichii
buckthorn
fritillaria
lemongrass
yerba santa
elecampane
coltsfoot
chrysanthemum
juniper berries
siler root
sweet flag
oriental arborvitae
trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
eucalyptus
menthol oil
aster root
abies spectabilis
horehound
Sichuan pepper
cayenne pepper
soursop
Alcohol
Agastache
Anamarrhena
Alpha-terpineol
Ardisia
Angelica
Allicin
Asarum heterotropoides
Aconite
Asafoetida
Andrographolide
Adrenergic amines
Asteracea
Allyl Sulfide
Adenophora
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Arisaema
Asarum sieboldii
Alantolactone
Atractylone
Black Seed
Baikal Skullcap
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
Black spruce
Bicarbonate
Blepharis
Balsam
Bishop's Weed
Boswellic Acid
Bayleaf
Black galingale
Barleria
Bitter Grass
Bisabolene
Bael
berry
Boswellia
Baccharoides anthelmintica
black salt
Bee products
Bombax
Buddha's Hand
Borage
Bupleurum
Balloon Flower
Belamcanda
Borneol
Camellia sinensis
Chinese Silkvine
Curry leaf
Chinese Mountain Ant
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Citrus
Cineole
Cajuput
Chinese Raisintree
Cowherb
Curcumen
Cistus
Curcuma
Calamus
Cinnamaldehyde
Carthamus
Culvers Root
Chondrus
Dragonhead
Diterpenes
Ephedra
European Elder
Eclipta
Echinacea
Elder
Essential Oil Blend
Ephedrine
Galangal
Ivy
Mustard
Mallow
Sandalwood
Vervain

Products containing n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)

Metagenics AdvaClear
Metagenics AdvaClear
Designs For Health Amino-D-Tox™
Designs For Health Amino-D-Tox™
Pure Encapsulations AntiOxidant Formula
Pure Encapsulations Athletic Nutrients
Metagenics Axis Endo™ Mango
Metagenics Ceralin® Forte
Metagenics Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Berry
Metagenics Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Vanilla
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Berry
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Chai
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Vanilla
Metagenics Clear Change Daily Essentials
Designs For Health Detox Antiox™
Integrative Therapeutics Detoxication Factors
Integrative Therapeutics Detoxication Factors
Designs For Health Detoxification Support Packets
Pure Encapsulations DIM Detox
Metagenics EstroFactors®
Metagenics GlutaClear®
Designs For Health Hepatatone Plus™
Pure Encapsulations Hist Reset
Pure Encapsulations HM Complex
Pure Encapsulations HM Complex
Metagenics Immune Active
Metagenics Immune Defense Pack
Integrative Therapeutics K-PAX MitoNutrients
Pure Encapsulations Lithium Orotate 5 mg
Pure Encapsulations Lithium Orotate 5 mg
Pure Encapsulations Liver G.I. Detox
Pure Encapsulations LVR Formula
Pure Encapsulations LVR Formula
Pure Encapsulations Macular Support Formula
Pure Encapsulations Macular Support Formula
Designs For Health Metal-X-Synergy™
Metagenics MethylCare
Pure Encapsulations Mitochondria-ATP
Integrative Therapeutics Multiplex-1 No-Iron
Designs For Health N-Acetyl-Cysteine
Integrative Therapeutics NAC
Thorne NAC
Pure Encapsulations NAC+ Glycine Powder
Douglas Laboratories NAC (N-ACETYL CYSTEINE) 600 mg
Douglas Laboratories NAC (N-ACETYL CYSTEINE) 900 mg
Pure Encapsulations NAC (N-Acetyl-l-Cysteine) 600 mg
Pure Encapsulations NAC (n-acetyl-l-cysteine) 600 mg
Pure Encapsulations NAC (N-Acetyl-l-Cysteine) 600 mg
Pure Encapsulations NAC (N-Acetyl-l-Cysteine) 900 mg
Pure Encapsulations NAC (N-Acetyl-l-Cysteine) 900 mg
Pure Encapsulations Nutrient 950® with NAC
Designs For Health OcuForce™
Designs For Health PaleoCleanse Plus™
Designs For Health PaleoCleanse Plus™
Designs For Health PaleoCleanse Plus™ Detox Program
Designs For Health PaleoCleanse Plus™Chocolate Detox Kit
Designs For Health Plant Protein Cleanse
Designs For Health Plant Protein Cleanse Plus™ 570g
Pure Encapsulations Polyphenol Nutrients
Pure Encapsulations Polyphenol Nutrients
Designs For Health Pulmonary Revive™
Pure Encapsulations PureDefense with NAC
Pure Encapsulations PureDefense with NAC
Pure Encapsulations PureGenomics® UltraMultivitamin
Metagenics Renagen™ DTX
Designs For Health S-Acetyl Glutathione Synergy
Metagenics Sinuplex®
Vitabase Super Antioxidant Formula
Pure Encapsulations Th2 Modulator
Metagenics Trancor®
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Preventive
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Preventive
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Preventive ®-EZ Swallow
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Preventive® X
Metagenics UltraClear RENEW Detox Powder Berry
Metagenics UltraClear RENEW Detox Powder Chai
Metagenics UltraClear RENEW Detox Powder Vanilla