Evidence supporting the use of: N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
For the body system: Heart
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) is primarily known as a precursor to glutathione, a major intracellular antioxidant, and is widely used in clinical settings for acetaminophen overdose and as a mucolytic agent. Regarding cardiovascular (heart) health, there is some scientific evidence suggesting NAC may have beneficial effects, although the evidence is not robust or definitive. NAC’s antioxidant properties may help reduce oxidative stress, which is implicated in the development of atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases. Some small clinical studies and animal research have explored its potential to improve endothelial function, lower homocysteine levels (a cardiovascular risk factor), and decrease inflammation, all of which could theoretically benefit the heart.
However, large-scale clinical trials specifically assessing NAC’s efficacy in preventing or treating heart disease are lacking. Some studies report improvements in markers such as blood pressure and lipid profiles, but these findings are not consistent. Current scientific consensus generally considers NAC as possibly helpful but not a primary or proven therapy for cardiovascular health. Major cardiology guidelines do not recommend NAC as a standard intervention for heart disease. In summary, while there is some scientific rationale and limited clinical evidence supporting the use of NAC for heart health, the data are insufficient for strong endorsement, resulting in a modest evidence rating.
Other ingredients that support Heart
cutchacai berry
acetyl l-carnitine
adenosine 5-triphosphate disodium (ATP)
ajoene
alfalfa
algal oil
alpha-carotene
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
amino acids
anchovies
anthocyanins
apple
apricot
arjun tree
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
astragalus
bamboo
barley
basil
beet
myrobalan
berberine
bergamot
berry flavor
beta and delta tocopherols
beta-sitosterol
bilberry
black cumin
black currant
black garlic
sesame
black tea
blackberry
blueberry
bonito peptide
bovine heart
broccoli
brussel sprouts
caffeine
calamari oil
calcium
campesterol
canola oil
capsaicinoids
cassia bark
catechins
caterpillar mushroom
celery
chaga mushroom
cherry
chia seed
Chinese salvia root
chokeberry
cinnamon
citrus bioflavonoids
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
coleus forskohlii
collard
copper
cordyceps
turmeric
curcumin
cuspidatum root
d-alpha tocopherol
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
diallyl trisulfide (DATS)
dong quai root
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
eleuthero
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
ethanol
fisetin
fish oil
fish protein
flavonols
flaxseed
folate
forskohlii root
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
fruit blend (proprietary)
fu ling
gardenia
garlic bulb
ginger
ginseng
glucomannan
gokhru
gooseberry
grape
greek mountain tea
onion
green tea
greens blend (proprietary)
guggul
hawthorn
hemp oil
hesperetin
hesperidin
hibiscus
iron
knotweed
jujube
kale
krill oil
kudzu
l-arginine
l-carnitine
l-citrulline
l-taurine
lemon
lignans
linoleic acid (LA)
luteolin
lycopene
mackerel
magnesium
magnesium
mango
mangosteen
maqui berry
marine lipid
matcha
mixed carotenoids
moringa
motherwort
mustard seed
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
naringin
nattokinase
nattozimes
niacin (vitamin B3)
nicotinamide riboside
oat
okra
oleanolic acid
oleic acid
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
omega-6 fatty acids
omega-7 fatty acids
omega-9 fatty acids
ophiopogon root
oyster mushroom
palmitoleic acid
pantethine
parsley
phenolic acids
phospholipids
phytosterols
pine bark
plant sterols
plum fruit
policosanol
pollen
pomegranate
pomelo
potassium
protein
psyllium
pumpkin
quercetin
quinoa
red yeast rice
rehmannia glutinosa
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rhizome
rose oil
rosemary
rutin
rye
safflower oil
saffron
sardines
secoisolariciresinol diglucoside
selenium
black ginger
sitostanol
soybean
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
sphaeranthus indicus
spinach
spirulina
stearic acid
sterols
strawberry
sulforaphane glucosinolate
thiamin (vitamin B1)
tocotrienols
tomato
trans-pterostilbene
tribulus
trimethylglycine (TMG)
triphala
almond fruit
ubiquinol
Urolithin A
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
vegetable blend (proprietary)
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
vitamin K
water
watercress
watermelon
mulberry
zinc
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)
red clover
jiaogulan
tangerine
cardamom
capsicum
inula racemosa
punarnava
commiphora
bee pollen
lingzhi
lingusticum wallichii
yarrow
prickly ash
sunflower
sodium salt
ferulic acid
chrysanthemum
ganoderma
lotus seed
morinda
oriental arborvitae
electrolytes blend (proprietary)
polyphenols
trace minerals
purslane
yerba mate
wheat germ
peach
noni
wood betony
amaranth
herbal blend (proprietary)
algae
cocoa
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
cayenne pepper
soy isoflavones
ashitaba
soursop
1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione
Alcohol
Arjuna
Apple Cider Vinegar
Arginine Creatine
Arginine nitrate
Apigenin
Aronia melanocarpa
Allicin
Antrodia camphorata
Arginine malate
Arginine aspartate
Arginine orotate
Andrographolide
Avocado
Adrenergic amines
Agarwood
Acacetin
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Astragaloside
Adrenaline
anthocyanidins
Adzuki bean
Ampelopsin
Asteracea
adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
Alpha phytosterol
Acetylsalicylic acid
Algal protein
Arjunic Acid
Alliin
anthocyanosides
Ashoka
Argan nut oil
Allium tuberosum
Apocynin
Arginine silicate
Arjunolic acid
Astragalin
Animal protein
Bee Propolis
Black Seed
Butylphthalide
Beta-hydroxybutyrate
Brutieridin
Blubber oil
Breadnut
Balsam
Brassica
Bishop's Weed
Bayleaf
Belleric myrobalan
Beef liver
Buffalo
Baicalein
Benfotiamine
Bael
Bean
Betanin
berry
Brazil nut
Bioflavonoids
Bee products
Borage
banana
Baicalin
Buckwheat
Bignay
Boerhavia diffusa
Bottle gourd
bugleweed
Borneol
Chia seed
Caffeic Acid
Camellia sinensis
Curry leaf
Cinnamomum
Cocarboxylase
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Carnosine
Calycosin
Catalpol
Camelina Oil
Cardiolipin
Cod Liver Oil
Cortisol
Codonopsis
Coriander
Cactus
Cyanidin
chlorogenic acid
Curcuminoid
Citrus
Capsaicin
Catecholamine
Cruciferous
Cyclanthera pedata
Capers
Coconut Water
Chocolate
Creatine
Curcuma
Carnosol
Calanus finmarchicus
C-Phycocyanin
Cha de bugre
Chinese Thoroughwax
Corydalis
Crocetin
Cereus
Carthamus
cola nut
Casearia sylvestris
Currant
Docosahexaenoic Acid
Dismutase
Danshen
Durian
Deer Velvet
Dihydrolipoic Acid
Date
Dulse
D-Ribose
Dextrose
Digitalis
epicatechin
Eriocitrin
Egg
Erythrina
Ergothioneine
Emblicanin
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Essential Oil Blend
Ephedrine
Eucommia ulmoides
Echium
Folic Acid
Fiber
Flavonoids
Flavonones
fibroblast growth factor
Garlic
glucose
Lotus
Lily
Molasses
peanut
Pistachio
Quinoa Protein
Rose
Spikenard
Snakeroot (unspecified)
Squid
salt
Soy Protein
Sumac
Vervain
walnut
Other body systems supported by n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
BrainBronchials
Gastrointestinal Tract
Heart
Hepatic System
Immune System
Intestinal System
Liver
Lungs
Mucus Membranes
Respiratory System
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