NAC adverse effects [POLL, multiple votes allowed]

[bad1080]

I recommend buying from Amazon.de, local shops or within EU when possible. Just much less hassle than having your package go through customs and having to double check every time you buy something that it's not banned in the EU or declared as a medical substance. Also VAT and other charges get added, so it's not even likely any cheaper.

iherb doesn't even let me add restricted or banned items to my cart. plus the price they show me is the price i pay, everything is included (except shipping under 40(?)eur). it's a longer wait time, yes but bezos doesn't need any more of my money, so to me it's worth the wait. and on amazon things are often unavailable when i check, that is somewhat true for iherb too but there it is much easier to find a replacement. plus they have lots of store brand products for cheap.

 

[bad1080]

i added a poll to the thread, it'd be much appreciated if you'd take part in it if you tried NAC. it's up to two votes (one for "yes" and one for what you did after having side-effects, or just one for "no"), thanks in advance!

 

[pamojja]

So there seems to be some evidence that various types of binders can help reduce mycotoxins showing up in the daily meal.

Think additional to toxins from food and water - which mostly already left the upper intestine by the time binders arrive -, also about those possibly produced by imbalanced microbiome later. Or reintroduced to the colon from the liver later again, after digestion.

Note also that most binders can't be digested, but often well by gut-bacteria, thereby allegedly supporting a healthy microbiome.

I recommend buying from Amazon.de, local shops or within EU when possible.Just much less hassle than having your package go through customs and having to double check every time you buy something that it's not banned in the EU or declared as a medical substance.

Iherb for Austria overtook the customs process and paying taxes. Husslefree since.

Though in the distant past TMG, Silimarin and ALA were all confiscated and fined. Not because declared or registered a medical substance, but because occurring in other formulas of registered medications. Which one can't possibly know all.

Two-per-day by LifeExtension always came through. Though LifeExtentionEurope does sell it too. But costs € 30,- already.

 

[bad1080]

my eyes were still swollen this morning but surprisingly i feel better today, so much in fact i was able to go for a short walk. now if somebody could tell me that's because of the NAC or in spite of it, that'd be great...

 

[pamojja]

now if somebody could tell me that's because of the NAC or in spite of it, that'd be great...

I read the thread ongoing. But where you mention the initial dose of NAC, how you adjusted the dose or co-factors after the side effects?

Even without additional adaptation of intake. Side effects can be limited to first days only, too. Because of a startup of an otherwise neglected metabolic process. Due to more pressing metabolic processes, with limited GSH supplies. Gone in days. Or something entirely else.

Any pain is a sign of dysfunction. But at the same time reflects the bodies healing attempt already. Obviously in chronic pains, not with success.

Monitor for side effects, especially gastrointestinal and allergic reactions.

My eyes burn with seasonal rhinitis. Already 10 years before starting to supplement NAC. But seasonal rhinitis started completely unexpected at about age 30 only.

 

[bad1080]

But where you mention the initial dose of NAC, how you adjusted the dose or co-factors after the side effects?

i took 750mg (half the recommended max. dose), i took that dose on two consecutive days until i made the connection with the side-effects and then stopped completely and took some healing clay and a multivitamin.

 

[bad1080]

this is about IV NAC but it sheds some insight into the mechanisms behind the adverse effects and why they might occur:

It is believed that several factors are associated with an increased risk of anaphylactoid reaction to NAC, including a history of asthma [6, 7], atopic disease [5], family history of allergy [8], lower acetaminophen concentrations on admission [4, 8–10], female sex [10], younger age [10], lower alcohol consumption [10], a history of previous reaction to NAC [10], and a time interval from ingestion to treatment with NAC greater than 8 h [4].

from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5962465/

An anaphylactoid reaction was documented in 528 (8.2%) of 6455 treatment courses

so the incidence seems to be below 10%, lucky me i guess...

and as far as i understand it an "anaphylactoid reaction" isn't the same as an allergic reaction. it doesn't involve the immune system (non-IgE-mediated) but it (in this case NAC) causes mast cells to release histamine directly instead. so next time i could try an anti-histamine...

but it not being an allergic reaction might be a good thing:

Desensitization has been recommended for immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated immediate hypersensitivity; however, its indications have recently been expanded to include non-IgE-mediated, non-immunological, or delayed T cell-mediated reactions.

from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8925949/

off topic: i did not know you can desensitize against an allergic reaction...

Some studies showed that suboptimal doses of drug antigens led to the internalization of antigen/IgE/FcɛRI complex, thus preventing the activation of mast cells or basophils when the therapeutic dose is administered [12,13]. However, other studies showed that suboptimal doses of drug antigens induce remodeling of the mast cell membrane, which prevents antigen/IgE/FcɛRI complex internalization and the initiation of hypersensitivity reactions [7,8].

H1 blockers, H2 blockers, and glucocorticoids can be used as premedication. Aspirin and montelukast block the end products of the arachidonic acid cascade and decrease the incidence and severity of BTRs. NSAIDs can help to control the symptoms of cytokine release syndrome. Glucocorticoids alone are not recommended because they cannot prevent the initial degranulation of mast cells [30].

also from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8925949/

 

[pamojja]

so next time i could try an anti-histamine...

By the way, I tried prescription antihistamines. But found 1 or 2 teaspoons of ascorbic acid as antihistamine just as effective against my rhinitis symptoms. The same amount of sodium ascorbate didn't work as well. Guess due to different absorption kinetics.

 

[bad1080]

rhinitis symptoms

this made me think of how NAC is used to clear mucus:

When inhaled, it acts as a mucolytic by decreasing the thickness of mucus.[16]

from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acetylcysteine

 

[pamojja]

NAC is used as vapor to clear mucus

During rhinitis, my nose acts already as a constant drip. Before and after starting NAC use. But no obvious thick mucus.

 

[lyran]

NAC like every other sulfur based supplement increases my fatigue, causes headache and flu like symptoms. MSM is the worst.

 

[bad1080]

NAC like every other sulfur based supplement increases my fatigue, causes headache and flu like symptoms. MSM is the worst.

i am sorry to hear, did you find an alternative?

 

[linusbert]

NAC like every other sulfur based supplement increases my fatigue, causes headache and flu like symptoms. MSM is the worst.

did you try molybdenum?
there is a blog post from chris masterjohn about this sulfur problem

 

[lyran]

i am sorry to hear, did you find an alternative?

I have tried to support detoxification and increase glutathione production with other means but I don't know if there is a direct alternative to NAC.

did you try molybdenum?
there is a blog post from chris masterjohn about this sulfur problem

Yes I have tried to take molybdenum but even low doses make me worse. I guess that is because it supports sulfur detoxification. It may help in the long run but then you would have to suffer from increased fatigue and headaches and with this illness that is very difficult to do.

 

[pamojja]

I have tried to support detoxification and increase glutathione production with other means but I don't know if there is a direct alternative to NAC.

See this post for viable alternative: https://forums.phoenixrising.me/thr...eted-by-chronic-illnesses.93436/#post-2477703

Yes I have tried to take molybdenum but even low doses make me worse.

there is a blog post from chris masterjohn about this sulfur problem

Behind a paywall. A summary by perplexity.ai

Spoiler: Key Actionable Points in Chris Masterjohn's Sulfur Protocol

• Identify Symptoms and Triggers:
  The protocol starts by helping you recognize if you have sulfur metabolism issues, such as psychiatric or neurological symptoms (anxiety, depression, tremors), gastrointestinal problems (diarrhea, nausea), intolerance to sulfur-containing supplements (thiamin, glutathione, B6), or negative reactions to fasting, ketogenic diets, or CoQ101.
• Understand Individual Variability:
  The protocol emphasizes that sulfur metabolism is highly individualized—what helps one person may harm another. For example, CoQ10 is needed for sulfur clearance but can cause insomnia or overstimulation in sensitive individuals1.
• Assemble Your Personal Protocol:
  The guide walks you through selecting from a menu of actionable steps to tailor the approach to your specific needs. It does not offer a one-size-fits-all solution but helps you build a protocol based on your symptoms and responses12.

• Dietary and Supplement Strategies:
  While the full list of interventions is behind a paywall, related content and references suggest the protocol includes:
  
  • Adjusting intake of sulfur-rich foods and supplements based on tolerance.
  • Ensuring adequate intake of key cofactors for sulfur metabolism, such as vitamin B6, riboflavin, molybdenum, and possibly CoQ10 (with caution)14.
  • Considering additional nutrients that support methylation and sulfur pathways, such as magnesium, zinc, and choline, as discussed in Masterjohn’s related protocols6.
• Spoiler: Monitor and Adjust:

  • The protocol encourages ongoing monitoring of symptoms and gradual adjustment of dietary or supplement interventions, recognizing that improvements may take weeks or months and require fine-tuning15.
  • Educational Purpose:
    The protocol is intended as an educational tool to empower individuals to optimize their sulfur metabolism, not as medical or dietetic advice1.

  "This protocol is a 10-page quick guide to dealing with sulfur issues that isolates all the highly actionable points into one simple place and walks you through how to select and implement them." 1

  Summary Table
  

  Step	Actionable Point
  Symptom Identification	Recognize sulfur-related symptoms and triggers
  Personalization	Select interventions suited to your unique needs
  Dietary/Supplement Strategy	Adjust sulfur intake, ensure key cofactors, cautiously trial supplements
  Monitoring	Track symptoms, adjust interventions gradually
  Education	Use protocol as a guide, not as direct medical advice

  
  For the full, detailed list of actionable steps, access to the protocol itself is required through Masterjohn’s Masterpass membership12.
  

  1. https://chrismasterjohnphd.substack.com/p/my-sulfur-protocol
  2. https://www.youtube.com/post/Ugkx_E34A-DLz2z0r7MG1L0kicOPAshpWS_l
  3. DFf0quTRtNQ
  4. https://chrismasterjohnphd.substack.com/p/h2s-clearance-and-gut-health
  5. MTHFR/comments/1730mw4
  6. https://www.scribd.com/document/515269268/MTHFR-Protocol-Personalization-by-Chris-Masterjohn
  7. https://www.womenandfamilynutrition.com/how-i-avoid-getting-sick-in-the-winter
  8. https://www.youtube.com/user/chrismasterjohn/community

Emphasis to alternative co-factor nutrients added by me. What is your experience with those?

 

[pamojja]

He is one free article by Masterjohn:

CoQ10 Deficiency Is Sulfur Toxicity​

..and all other free articles: https://chrismasterjohnphd.substack.com/s/free-content/archive?sort=new

 

[Violeta]

I have tried to support detoxification and increase glutathione production with other means but I don't know if there is a direct alternative to NAC.


Yes I have tried to take molybdenum but even low doses make me worse. I guess that is because it supports sulfur detoxification. It may help in the long run but then you would have to suffer from increased fatigue and headaches and with this illness that is very difficult to do.

I wonder if the homeopathic form of sulfur would help correct the sulfur intolerance problem for you.

When I had shingles and couldn't tolerate anything, not even water, homeopathic remedies helped turn things around. Sulfur was very helpful, and since taking it for shingles, my intolerance to sulfur foods has decreased.

I had some Sulfur 200C, and a couple of pellets in a little bottle of water and would take a teaspoon of that every now and then. That's all I could handle.

Here's a link to see if you think it might be worth a try. See how one of the things it's good for is headache. But you can see if there are any other symptoms that would confirm it's worth trying.

http://www.homeoint.org/books/boericmm/s/sulph.htm

The thing that made me think it might help is that when I had shingles I couldn't stand up straight, I was very bent over. You don't have to have all of the symptoms for it to be the right remedy.

 

[bad1080]

intolerance to sulfur-containing supplements (thiamin, glutathione, B6),

interestingly i have a problem with thiamine, i did a couple injections and they would hurt like crazy every time.
i took a bottle of glutathione and it had no effect whatsoever (same with coQ10) but i read it has terrible bioavailability iirc

 

[pamojja]

Would never assume reactions of IV to apply to oral ingestion too. I only had 2 nutrients IV: Mg-sulfate and sodium ascorbate. It's nothing even close to that (positive effects in my case), taken by mouth.

 

[bad1080]

Would never assume reactions of IV to apply to oral ingestion too. I only had 2 nutrients IV: Mg-sulfate and sodium ascorbate. It's nothing even close to that (positive effects in my case), then taken by mouth.

it was injected intramuscularly, i injected it subcutaneous once by accident (didn't knew it had to be IM) and it gave me a giant bruise.