N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC): Potential Benefits for Mental Health & Brain Health

By its antioxidant properties, N-Acetyl Cysteine may be beneficial for the treatment of symptoms of Bipolar Disorder, Alzheimer's disease, and Schizophrenia.

Definition

• N-Actetyl Cysteine is an amino acid supplement and antioxidant made from the amino acid L-Cysteine. N-Acetyl Cysteine can be purchased without a prescription.

Use

• There are many benefits to taking N-Acetyl Cysteine. According to WebMD.com, N-Acteyl Cysteine is used to counteract carbon monoxide poisoning; it is also used for chest pain, hay fever, ear infections, chronic fatigue syndrome, cystic fibrosis, and as a hangover remedy.

Bipolar Disorder

• Published in 2008, research conducted by The Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria concludes that N-Acetyl Cysteine may be an effective supplement for the depressive symptoms of bipolar disorder. N-Acetyl Cysteine may work by increasing glutathione in the brain, an antioxidant that is deficient in cases of bipolar disorder.

Alzheimer's Disease

• RxList.com claims that N-Acetyl Cysteine is likely to be ineffective for treating Alzheimer's disease. However, research conducted in 2007 by The Research Unit of Pharmacology, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Nihon University, suggests that N-Acetyl Cysteine may be useful in treating neuro-degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.

Schizophrenia

• Researchers from The Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria determined that N-Acetyl Cysteine might be a moderately effective supplement in the treatment of symptoms of schizophrenia by increasing glutathione, which is also deficient in those with schizophrenia.