NAC
I just read about a study from the Journal of Clinical Investigation, which studied the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC). They are claiming to find NAC a molecule that tricks blood vessels in believing they are not getting enough oxygen. This leads to a problem called pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). This creates high blood pressure in the arteries that carry blood to the lungs.
Dr. Ben Gaston of the study says, “We found that an NAC product formed by red blood cells, know as a nitrosothiol, bypasses the normal regulation of oxygen sensing. It tells the arteries in the lung to ‘remodel’; they become narrow, increasing the blood pressure in the lungs and causing the right side of the heart to swell.”
I do not know the amounts used or any more about the case other than the studies were performed on mice.
The NAC nutrient is a precursor to the bodybuilding supplement glutathione. Glutathione is an antioxidant, protein and used in maintenance of the immune system.
NAC is a derivative of the amino acid L-cysteine. It is produced in the body in almost every cell, but its highest concentration is in the heart, muscle and the liver. It can be found in eggs, meat, red peppers, garlic, onions, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, oats, milk, whey protein, and wheat germ.
