I heard that NAC is good at getting rid of OCD symptoms and Trichotillomania. Just want to know a few things:
1: Are there any risks to taking NAC?
2: What dosage is considered 'safe'?
3: What foods can I not have while taking it?
4: Do I have to take NAC forever?
Answer:
N-acetyl-cysteine or NAC is used for one thing: to raise glutathione
levels. It has been used for years to treat acetaminophen overdose to prevent liver failure.
More recently, some have been taking it on a daily basis to raise their glutathione levels.
It may be that raising a person's glutathione levels helps with OCD and Trichotillomania or hair pulling by additionally modulating glutamate levels, according to these two studies on PubMed:
NAC and Trichotillomania
NAC and OCD
Glutamate is one of the three amino acids the body uses to manufacture glutathione.
Here are your answers:
1: Risks or side effects: For glutathione side effects, please see section under "Side Effects of Glutathione - N-Acetyl-Cysteine" here.
2. Dosage: See the Drugs.com and PDR Health listing for NAC. Recommended dosages are shown here.
3. N/A
4. NAC has a short half life, so if you want to keep your glutathione levels raised and sustained, you have to take it more than once a day every day for as long as you want the good benefits from it. As long as you are taking it, your body will make glutathione with it. When you stop, your glutathione production will level off to previous levels and your symptoms may return.
Immunocal is the most effective, safe, and natural way to raise and sustain your glutathione.
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