NAC & ALA

NAC & ALA

N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine & R-Alpha-Lipoic Acid

500 mg/200 mg

90 Capsules ( SKU: 9525U )

Benefits

  • Provides relevant amounts of both N-acetyl-L-cysteine and alpha-lipoic acid
  • NAC and ALA are involved in antioxidant activity, and maintain the normal synthesis and regeneration of glutathione, the key cellular antioxidant*
  • Supports healthy mitochondrial function as well as normal phase 2 antioxidant enzyme activity*
  • Supports normal endothelial function and maintains nitric oxide synthesis already within the normal range*

Feature Summary

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) are highly complementary nutrients. Together, they support the clearing of normal cellular debris and maintain normal cellular function. NAC helps maintain the healthy synthesis of glutathione, and antioxidant activity.1,2 NAC also helps support the normal restoration of intracellular thiols, and helps clear normal cellular debris via the maintenance of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB).3 Glutathione is needed to detoxify the body’s natural toxins, and maintain adipose tissue metabolism.4 In addition to glutathione support, NAC supports antioxidant activity through multiple pathways, including nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT).5 NAC helps support healthy endothelial function and maintain homocysteine already within the normal range.6,7
ALA, in turn, recycles important nutrients such as vitamin C and glutathione. It is a cofactor for several mitochondrial enzymes as well as glutathione reductase.8 ALA helps maintain healthy glycemic control, normal insulin sensitivity, and healthy endothelial function, as well as healthy weight maintenance.9,10,11 ALA supports healthy glucose levels already within the normal range.12,13 ALA may support healthy oxidative status in a variety of populations.14,15 By supporting antioxidant activity, it may also help maintain normal neuronal function.16,17

Supplement Facts:

Dosage:

Suggested Usage: 2 capsules per day with a meal or as directed by a health care professional.

Allergens:

Contains no artificial colors, preservatives, or sweeteners, no dairy, wheat, gluten, yeast, soy, corn, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, or GMOs. Sealed for your protection. Do not use if seal is broken. For freshness, store in a cool, dry place.

Contraindications

Consult a health care professional prior to use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have diabetes or kidney stones. Do not use this product if you are taking antibiotics or nitroglycerin. Avoid use with acetylcysteine allergy and use with caution in individuals with asthma. Keep out of reach of children.

Drug Interactions

Caution should be used with medications, as they may have additive effects. Long-term use may warrant low-dose copper and/or thiamine supplementation. NAC may have additive effects with nitroglycerin, causing severe headaches and hypotension. NAC may also reduce the capacity of activated charcoal to absorb acetaminophen.18

  1. Rushworth, G.F., & Megson, I.L. (2014). Existing and potential therapeutic uses for N-acetylcysteine: the need for conversion to intracellular glutathione for antioxidant benefits. Pharmacol Ther, 141(2), 150-9.
  2. Dodd, S., Dean, O., Copolov, D.L., et al. (2008). N-acetylcysteine for antioxidant therapy: pharmacology and clinical utility. Expert Opin Biol Ther, 8(12), 1955-62.
  3. Tenório, M.C.D.S., Graciliano, N.G., Moura, F.A., et al. (2021). N-Acetylcysteine (NAC): Impacts on human health. Antioxidants (Basel), 10(6), 967.
  4. Lee, D.H., Lee, I.K., Song, K., et al. (2006). A strong dose-response relation between serum concentrations of persistent organic pollutants and diabetes: results from the National Health and Examination Survey 1999-2002. Diabetes Care, 29(7), 1638-44.
  5. Dludla, P.V., Dias, S.C., Obonye, N., et al. (2018). A systematic review on the protective effect of N-acetyl cysteine against diabetes-associated cardiovascular complications. Am J Cardiovasc Drugs, 18(4), 283-98.
  6. Yilmaz, H., Sahin, S., Sayar, N., et al. (2007). Effects of folic acid and N-acetylcysteine on plasma homocysteine levels and endothelial function in patients with coronary artery disease. Acta Cardiol, 62(6), 579-85.
  7. Treweeke, A.T.,, Winterburn, T.J., Mackenzie, I., et al. (2012). N-Acetylcysteine inhibits platelet-monocyte conjugation in patients with type 2 diabetes with depleted intraplatelet glutathione: a randomised controlled trial. Diabetologia, 55(11), 2920-8. d
  8. Liu, J. (2011).The effects and mechanisms of mitochondrial nutrient alpha-lipoic acid on improving age-associated mitochondrial and cognitive dysfunction: an overview. Neurochem Res, 33(1), 194-203.
  9. Kamenova, P. (2006). Improvement of insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus after oral administration of alpha-lipoic acid. Hormones (Athens), 5(4), 251-8.
  10. Sola, S., Mir, M.Q., Cheema, F.A., et al. (2005). Irbesartan and lipoic acid improve endothelial function and reduce markers of inflammation in the metabolic syndrome: results of the Irbesartan and Lipoic Acid in Endothelial Dysfunction (ISLAND) study. Circulation, 111(3), 343-8.
  11. Kucukgoncu, S., Zhou, E., Lucas, K.B., et al. (2017). Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) as a supplementation for weight loss: results from a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Obes Rev, 18(5), 594-601.
  12. Tang, J., Wingerchuk. (2007). Alpha-lipoic acid may improve symptomatic diabetic polyneuropathy. Neurologist. 13(3):164-7.
  13. Ziegler D, Schatz H, Conrad F, et al. (1997). Effects of treatment with the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid on cardiac autonomic neuropathy in NIDDM patients. A 4-month randomized controlled multicenter trial (DEKAN Study). Deutsche Kardiale Autonome Neuropathie. Diabetes Care. 20(3):369-73.
  14. Rezaei Kelishadi M, Alavi Naeini A, Askari Get al. (2021). The efficacy of alpha-lipoic acid in improving oxidative, inflammatory, and mood status in women with episodic migraine in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Int J Clin Pract. 75(9):e14455.
  15. Khabbazi T, Mahdavi R, Safa J, et al. (2012). Effects of alpha-lipoic acid supplementation on inflammation, oxidative stress, and serum lipid profile levels in patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis. J Ren Nutr. 22(2):244-250.
  16. Maczurek A, Hager K, Kenklies M, et al. (2008). Lipoic acid as an anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective treatment for Alzheimer's disease. Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 60(13-14):1463-70.
  17. Sun YD, Dong YD, Fan R, et al. (2012). Effect of (R)-α-lipoic acid supplementation on serum lipids and antioxidative ability in patients with age-related macular degeneration. Ann Nutr Metab. 60(4):293-7.
  18. Pickering G, Macian N, Papet I, et al. (2019). N-acetylcysteine prevents glutathione decrease and does not interfere with paracetamol antinociceptive effect at therapeutic dosage: a randomized double-blind controlled trial in healthy subjects. Fundam Clin Pharmacol. 33(3):303-311.