You have probably heard a lot of people mentions NAC lately due to its assistance pre and post "v__cine” and its mention of use for treatment but what exactly is it? ⠀
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N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is a supplement form of cysteine. ⠀
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NAC It is a precursor of glutathione which is an important antioxidant; reducing oxidative stress can help to lower your risk of developing chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and infertility. ⠀
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NAC plays an important role in your body’s detoxification process and can help prevent side effects of drugs and environmental toxins⠀
Along with other treatment considerations and adjunct therapies, I often will use NAC as a prescribed therapy for any patients I see who are recovering from substance abuse.. here Is why.. ⠀
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NAC is widely known for its role in antioxidant production. Along with two other amino acids glutamine and glycine, NAC is needed to make and replenish glutathione. Glutathione is one of the body’s most important antioxidants, which helps neutralize free radical damage. ⠀
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By the time most people seek treatment for substance use disorders, years of chronic substance abuse has likely led to significant brain-related alterations. ⠀
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Numerous neural adaptations underlie the transition from using a substance recreationally for fun to engaging in the repetitive and compulsive use that is characteristic of substance use disorder. ⠀
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Repeated use of an addictive substance may result in excess glutamate in the nucleus accumbens, an area of the brain that plays a critical role in motivation, learning, aversive behavior and regulation of sleep.⠀
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As a result, it is has been recommended that therapies that help correct glutamate dysregulation may be effective in preventing relapse in patients who have history of substance abuse. NAC may reverse the neural dysfunction seen in substance use disorders. NAC is thought to upregulate the glutamate transporter (GLT-1) that removes excess glutamate from the nucleus accumbens. ⠀
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NAC may also help to improve insulin resistance, thereby helping to regulate blood sugar levels. Studies involved human subjects with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). ⠀
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If you would like to talk more about NAC and if it’s right for you, contact me for more information. As well as my 60 min, In depth initial consultations, I am also offering 15 minute acute immune and stress consultations. ⠀
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