NAC
N-acetylcysteine or N-acetyl-L-cysteine is abbreviated as NAC. N-Acetylcysteine is a derivative of cysteine. Cysteine and NAC might sound like complicated structures but in truth, they are amino acids, found in protein based foods. This antioxidant is believed to reduce inflammatory reactions. Inflammation can impact fertility in a variety of ways.
For example, inflammation of the endometrium means it can’t support implantation and maintain a healthy embryo. No food provides NAC directly, but the body makes NAC from protein, as mentioned, and you can take NAC in supplement form. Cysteine is found in most high-protein foods, including:
Animal sources: pork, poultry, eggs, dairy.
Plant sources: red peppers, garlic, onions, broccoli, Brussels sprout, oats, granola, wheat germ, sprouted lentils
Why is NAC important?
NAC is quickly becoming one of the most researched substances out there. NAC has been linked to numerous health benefits like chelating (removing) heavy metals in the body. NAC also significantly lowers lipoprotein (a) (risk factor for arthrosclerosis) and can prevent oxidation of LDL (bad – not all cholesterol is bad!) cholesterol. Evidence that NAC and other antioxidants can exert beneficial effects on pancreatic b-cell function in diabetes was published in a 1999 study. The authors conclude that a sufficient supply of antioxidants (NAC, vitamin C plus vitamin E, or both) may prevent or delay b-cell dysfunction in diabetes by providing protection against glucose toxicity.
NAC or cysteine’s main benefits tend to come from its ability to be converted into Glutathione. Glutathione is quickly becoming a serious interest to health researchers. We know that this antioxidant protects many vital areas in the body. “If you look in a hospital situation at people who have cancer, AIDS, or other very serious diseases, almost invariably they are depleted in glutathione,” says Appleton. “The reasons for this are not completely understood, but we do know that glutathione is extremely important for maintaining intracellular health.”
NAC is currently undergoing clinical trials in the United States for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder. It is thought to counteract the glutamate hyperactivity in OCD.
NAC has had anecdotal reports and some research suggesting efficacy in preventing nail biting. NAC is being tested in a double blind trial in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. The objective is to correct mitochondrial dysfunction (mitochondria are the power plants of our body).
Why is it important in fertility?
Glutathione contributes to around 60% of all toxins neutralised in phase II detoxification in the liver. Scientific studies have demonstrated that low glutathione levels may be linked with infertility and pregnancy complications. Oxidative stress (free radicals or toxins) are thought to play a significant role in both male and female infertility. Oxidative stress has been found to affect sperm quality in males and ovarian function in females. Glutathione reduces the oxidative damage by neutralising the harmful free radicals.
Every month, the ovaries create around 10 – 20 follicles which house immature eggs. Usually only one of these follicles goes on to create a fully mature egg which has the potential to be fertilised by a sperm. Paszkowski et al showed that low concentrations of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the follicle may affect the egg’s ability to be fertilised. Glutathione is one of the body’s most important antioxidant enzymes. Oxidative stress, marked by low levels of the glutathione peroxidase enzyme, can cause low fertilisation rates. This is why most conception formulas should contain the building blocks of Glutathione (NAC, Glycine + Glutamine) and the presence of Selenium helps to manufacture Glutathione Peroxidase, itself a potent antioxidant.
In 2008, a group of 80 patients with a history of recurrent unexplained pregnancy loss were treated with NAC and folic acid. When compared to a control group, they experienced a significantly increased rate of continuation of a living pregnancy up to and beyond 20 weeks. Researchers concluded that NAC is a well-tolerated nutrient that could be a potentially effective treatment in patients with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss. Also, a 2007 study found that N-acetyl cysteine induced or augmented ovulation in PCOS patients.
NAC’s effectiveness has been shown when combined with Clomid, which most people in the fertility world will be familiar with. Women with a condition known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may suffer from infertility. A double-blind, placebo controlled study evaluated the effectiveness of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in 150 women with PCOS who had previously failed to respond to the fertility drug clomiphene. Although a small study, the participants were given clomiphene plus placebo or clomiphene plus 1.2 g daily of NAC.
The results indicated that combined treatment with NAC plus clomiphene was markedly more effective than clomiphene taken with placebo. Almost 50% of the women in the combined treatment group ovulated as compared to about 1% in the clomiphene alone group. Pregnancy rate in the combined treatment group was 21%, as compared to 0% in the clomiphene alone group. NAC has been shown to help women with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) to reduce insulin problems and possibly improve fertility.
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