NAC (N-Acetylcysteine)
amino acid
ApprovedGeneral information about nutrients. No diagnosis, no medical advice. If you take medication, are pregnant or have a medical condition, talk to your doctor before taking supplements.
Overview
Acetylated form of the amino acid cysteine and a precursor to glutathione.
Interactions
NAC provides cysteine for glutathione synthesis, but glutathione peroxidase (which uses GSH to neutralize peroxides) is a selenoenzyme. Without selenium, the glutathione system is incomplete.
NAC regenerates oxidized vitamin C (dehydroascorbate) back to ascorbate via glutathione, while vitamin C helps maintain the thiol group of NAC in its reduced, active state.
Expert opinions
Bryan Johnson Blueprint
Johnson takes 600 mg NAC daily as part of the Blueprint stack. Blueprint pairs NAC with glycine and selenium to complete all three building blocks and the cofactor for glutathione regeneration. Taken in the morning on an empty stomach for reliable cysteine delivery. GGT, ALT and oxidative-stress markers are tracked.
Recommended dose: 600 mg
Source: Blueprint Protocol
Dr. Strunz
Strunz recommends 600 to 1,200 mg NAC daily as a cysteine donor for glutathione synthesis. He combines it with selenium (glutathione-peroxidase cofactor), vitamin C and alpha-lipoic acid. It is taken on an empty stomach to maximize absorption, and doses are rotated in cycles to avoid reductive stress at very high chronic intake.
Recommended dose: 600–1200 mg
Source: Dr. Strunz
Expert profiles summarise publicly available statements. The named people do not cooperate with Stackwell and have not authorised these summaries. Not medical advice.
Well-studied glutathione precursor.