N Acetycysteine Slows the Aging Process

[Marco]

I've had some good results from supplementing with over the counter acetylcysteine, using it for its antioxidant and pro glutathione properties.

Researchers now claim it can slow the ageing process :

http://news.uk.msn.com/uk/scientists-slow-ageing-process

Scientists have discovered how to slow down the ageing process and the breakthrough was made by researchers hunting a cure for a lethal childhood disease.

The treatment works by combining existing medicine with an over-the-counter dietary supplement, N-acetyl cysteine, to repair or reverse damaged cells.

Plus in the context of the Rituximab study, there are indications that it can relieve the symptoms of some autoimmune diseases :


experimental autoimmune encephalitis (as a model for MS) :

http://www.jautoimdis.com/content/2/1/4


systemic Lupus (SLE)

case report (Townsend letter) :

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_7396/is_331-332/ai_n57114157/

clinical trial on mild SLE :

http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q...1hfe13&sig=AHIEtbRI9KsyX03RfIyFRE9Z4byD5yQMfw

 

[heapsreal]

I hope it does, i have used it for years to keep my liver healthy from meds used to treat cfs etc

cheers!!!

 

[Valentijn]

I started supplementing it a couple months ago in a proprietary blend, and had significant decrease in OI symptoms. Looking into the ingredients indicated it's the factor most likely to be useful if you buy into the glutathione depletion theory, since low cysteine is usually the limiting factor in creating glutathione.

In addition to creating glutathione and whatever it does for aging or as an anti-oxidant, cysteine is needed to form antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and aconitase. Low ADH can cause fluid loss, possibly resulting in low blood volume and OI. Aconitase is an enzyme needed to convert carbs, fats, and most proteins into ATP (cellular energy), and a lack of that can cause PEM and muscle pain.

I did a little more research into cysteine, and found some good info on the low-cysteine/low-glutathione problem in an HIV context. Studies were done showing significant improvement in glutathione levels after supplementing n-acetylcysteine (NAC) daily with somewhere between 1800mg/day and 30mg per kg of body weight per day.

I started on 1800mg/day yesterday, with an extended release pill from Jarrow, so I don't have to take one every couple hours to avoid slumps when regular NAC pills wear off, due to the short half life of cysteine in the body. I'm feeling a lot better already, will see if it keeps up.

 

[Marco]

Good to hear you feel that its made a noticeable improvement for you Valentjn.

As I've mentioned before, I came across acetylcysteine and its positive effects by accident as its the main ingredient of a common cold/congestion product called Mucomyst.

I suspect that what I'm taking (only once or at most twice in 24 hours and I haven't been taking it every day) is a very small dosage but I've still found that I can often use it to prevent PEM when I need to do physical chores and it also helps me cope better with heat intolerance.

I'm now tempted to use it more often and at a higher dose.

PS - One benefit of Mucomyst is that its pleasant tasting soluble crystals so might be more easily absorbed.