It is a dietary supplement that uses the acetylated form of the amino acid cysteine (N-Acetyl L-Cysteine). The high absorption capacity of this molecule makes it the protagonist of several important functions in our body:
Glutathione precursor: NAC is one of the three amino acids that make up the tripeptide glutathione (it acts as a precursor to it). Glutathione is the most important endogenous antioxidant in the body and thanks to its redox effect it helps protect our cells from oxidative stress. It also plays an important role in the detoxification of the body: it is involved in the biotransformation of toxins and lipophilic residues that are generated in the liver before becoming part of the bile.
Expectorant: N-Acetyl L-Cysteine is used in medicine as a mucolytic because it is capable of breaking the disulfide bridges of the mucosa, facilitating their expulsion.
Chelator: it is capable of binding to heavy metals, favoring their elimination from the body.
