NAC is a form of the amino acid cysteine and a component of protein. NAC is a precursor to glutathione, the body’s principal antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals and detoxifies harmful substances. Aside from its importance to the immune system as an antioxidant, NAC is also a mucolytic – meaning that it breaks down lung-clogging mucous in respiratory disorders. Chemists appoint NAC’s mucolytic properties to its abundance of free sulfhydryl groups, which breaks down the disulfide bonds of mucous – a process that actually thins mucous out.

NAC’s characteristics of being a safe potent antioxidant and a mucolytic have pointed to its use for the following:

• liver disorders by helping detoxification
• lung ailments by reducing congestion
• immune diseases by scavenging free radicals
• cancer prevention by scavenging free radicals

Researchers in Italy have demonstrated that NAC also exhibits a statistically significant ability to reduce the likelihood of experiencing symptoms of the flu. As a result of the research, the conclusion was made that supplementing with NAC significantly reduces the severity and likelihood of experiencing flu symptoms. Due to its safety and support of the immune, lung and hepatic systems, supplementing with NAC appears to be a wise alternative to Western medicine during the flu season and possibly during this most recent outbreak of swine flu.