Question: Can NAC hurt your gut health?
Short Answer: N-acetylcysteine or NAC can be used at a dose of 600 to 2,400 milligrams per day for 5-10 days to disrupt biofilms and make it easier for antimicrobials to kill bacteria. Animal studies suggest that acute doses up to 6 grams do not deplete mucus or cause ulceration, but that an acute dose of 17.5 grams can deplete mucus and cause ulcers within two hours. Human studies suggest that 10 grams per day can be used for 24 weeks with fewer than 1 in 6 people complaining of gastrointestinal side effects. Yet, chronic use of NAC will thin the mucus, disrupt the biofilms used by normal healthy microbiota, and possibly deliver excessive sulfur to certain components of the microbiome. Therefore, I would not use it except for specific, targeted reasons, and I would not use it at a dose higher than needed or for a duration longer than needed.
This is a clip from a live Q&A session open to CMJ Masterpass members. In addition to this episode, you can access two other free samples using this link:
https://chrismasterjohnphd.substack.com/p/questions-on-nac-biofilms-vitamin
In that batch of free episodes you will also find the answer to this question:
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Why Would Vitamin C cause muscle pain, joint pain, and brain fog?
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How to Find the Root Cause of Autoimmunity?
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This snippet is from the May 13, 2023 AMA. The full recording and transcript is reserved for Masterpass members. Here is a preview of what's included:
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GLA to lower hydroxyhaemopyrrolin-2-one?
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When would I use the StrateGene and Genova Methylation Panel for nutritional testing?
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Energy metabolism as a root cause of gut issues?
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Nutrition for skin healing?
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Nutrition for hypnic jerks?
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Suggestions for snoring or sleep apnea?
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Nutrition to protect against restaurant meals?
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What is the cause of crusty eyes in the morning?
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What causes brain fog?
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How much oxalate should one eat each day?
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Should I be concerned about low alkaline phosphatase?
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What nutrients give tall children to short parents?
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Energy metabolism impairment mimicking Wilson's disease.
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Can taking digestive enzymes reduce our own production?
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Rapid-fire response to non-winners from the question contest.
Here's a link to the full AMA: https://chrismasterjohnphd.substack.com/p/recording-and-transcript-of-the-may
Access the show notes, transcript, and comments here.
Chris Masterjohn, PhD, is the Founder and Scientific Director of the mitochondria test Mitome.
