Yeah, the body-wide mucous thinning properties of NAC are one of the reasons it has racked up papers showing its efficacy in a truly staggering number of illnesses and conditions. (Including neurodegenerative diseases.)
Highly recommend reading the actual literature on its effects in regard to cystic fibrosis, pancreatitis, COPD, neurodegenerative disorders, high blood pressure, ulcers, IBD, liver and kidney problems, OCD...
The list goes on at a pretty extreme length, and it sounds too good to be true, but the papers are out there.
NAC is in the category of supplements that sound unbelievably amazing on paper, but are frequently discontinued by people trying to take it long term. Some people seem to like it, but it’s common for people to take it for a while and realize it’s causing side effects like anhedonia, apathy, minor sleep disruptions, or other subtle negative effects. Not everyone, but it’s a common outcome.
It also doesn’t quite live up to a lot of the incredible sounding papers for many conditions. It’s really common to find papers or even small trials purporting to find amazing effects from supplements that fail to replicate at scale. NAC does have some legitimate applications and is even used medically for certain conditions. I’m a little more skeptical that all of the amazing positives for every condition under the sun will hold up.
When considering NAC's mechanisms, it seems that it's efficacy is likely dependent on an individuals's glutathione status.
I doubt that folks with a solid diet, high in sulfur would find much benefit from NAC.
However, as someone who's gotten to use it first hand and have dealt with lifelong, mild inflammation (puffy fingers, clogged nose here and there), it's definitely been a huge quality of life enhancer.
Can you suggest a review article or two? Interested in this as my dad passed from hemorrhagic stroke, my mom from occlusive stroke. Thanks.
Would also like to ask for a starting point in this. Googling has not really gotten me anywhere credible. Specifically related to stroke or high blood pressure (both family traits).
Here’s a starting point:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5241507/#B1
TLDR: NAC is a derivative of an amino acid called cysteine, as such it is a precursor for one of the most important antioxidants in the body and it can modulate key metabolic pathways associated with good health across a variety of organs, notably for decades it has been a universally successful antidote for acetaminophen (Tylenol) overdose, it’s available over the counter but NAC is not naturally found in foods, eating cysteine-rich foods like chicken turkey yogurt etc is the next best bet.
I can't find anything in the article about NAC or N-acetylcystein. What's the relevance?
The article is about improving the flow of lymph in the brain, and NAC thins mucous, lymph, and various other bodily fluids, which leads to improved flow and general clearance.
Seconded.
I... I don't know how to get it across; For the love of God read the literature on NAC, alpha lipoic acid, bromhexine, and ambroxol.
Just... read. Read the molecular biology papers.
Would regular engineers like us understand molecular biology papers?
You’ll understand the abstract and the conclusion!
:eyeroll:
OK, I just read the abstract and conclusion of the NAC paper posted above. But then I saw a comment from Aurornis saying it’s not that good. Not sure who I should listen to.
Where would you recommend?
It's also very effective at helping reduce the damage of alcohol, if you take it before drinking. Lessens hangovers too.
Citation?
Very interesting, especially in light of the Chinese study’s claiming to have success with a large subset of Alzheimer’s by adding a shunt to the cervical lymphatic nodes, which seems to be exactly what they’re doing here too.
For those who don’t want to wait and have someone they love who can benefit from this, simply massaging the lymph nodes in the neck 10 minutes a day also significantly increases flow through these lymph nodes and thereby increases drainage of lymph from the brain.
It would be really interesting if we find out that a simple 10 minute daily massage of the lymph nodes in the neck significantly prevents Alzheimer's.
.. and I think there are already evidence that it tends to affect people who had regular lymphatic inflammations throughout their life (on a less serious note: like yours truly's.. the neck/throat ones.. and I am already forgetting things and blanking out and I haven't even touched 40 :/).
Makes me wonder if body posture promoting blood flow to the head (yoga or else) can be helpful here too.
Is this something I can do to myself? Is there some kind of video tutorial to see what I really need to do?
Andrew Huberman did an episode in October on the lymphatic system. I learned a lot. Highly recommend.
You absolutely can! Look up "lymphatic face drainage" on YouTube, there are lots of tutorials. You can do it with just your hands or a jade gua sha tool.
I wonder if anyone has ever done a study to see if there is a correlation between daily wet facial shaving with soap and Alzheimer's? A wet shave would be a short facial massage, whilst lathering the shaving soap.
Other than maybe helping with Alzheimer's as claimed above, is there any benefit to this?
Hmm, I had a bunch removed due to thyroid cancer. I wonder if that reduced my brains ability to clean itself out.
It will turn out we just need to sit in a box for 15 minutes a day to pound us with magnets, sound waves, and hardcore vibrations to live to 125
Don't forget near infrared lasers for some photobiomodulation!
supposing you brought the light inside the body, either through the skin or some other way
also living on 600 calories a day of course
Heavy metal stops Alzheimer's! Yeah! \m/_(>_<)_\m/
Huh? What did you say? You'll have to speak up louder, though.
I love getting my lymph nodes drained. Feels so good afterward.