COPD & Emphysema Support Group
COPD is a progressive disease characterized by airflow obstruction or limitation. Emphysema is characterized by loss of elasticity of the lung tissue, destruction of structures supporting the alveoli and of capillaries feeding the alveoli. Both have symptoms that include shortness of breath, among other respiratory troubles. If you are a COPD or Emphysema sufferer, join...
While it is true I fired my lung Doctor and do not get my lungs tested; that does not mean I sit around and do nothing.
I research chemicals and herbal products that seem to benefit the lungs in general. One health food additive I discovered early on was a daily suppliment called NAC in the health for stores. I have taken it everyday
for almost six years now. Plus I exercise alot and eat healthy COPD diet foods.
Studies are now being conducted on NAC with apparent positive outcomes. This info is probably "old news" to the senior members but might be useful to the new members.
"Data suggest that N-acetylcysteine (NAC) at dosages of 400-1200 mg/day may reduce symptoms, exacerbation rates and lung function decline in COPD patients, although not all studies have yielded consistent results.[7-9] These effects were originally attributed to the ability of NAC to reduce mucus viscosity and facilitate expectoration.
However, other studies have shown that NAC has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.[10-13] In vitro, NAC inhibits neutrophil chemotaxis, interleukin (IL)-8 secretion, and other pro-inflammatory mediators such as the transcription nuclear factor (NF)-?B, which is directly correlated with the production of the systemic inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP).[14]
CRP levels are elevated during exacerbations of COPD and significantly reduced with treatment; thus, they can be used to monitor clinical improvement.[15,16] IL-8 has also been shown to be significantly elevated during exacerbations of COPD.[17] "
My CRP levels have remained within the normal range the entire almost 6 years I have been taking NAC. The pills have a terrible stink
and burn in the stomach.
best regards,
Dale(Tinster)
I research chemicals and herbal products that seem to benefit the lungs in general. One health food additive I discovered early on was a daily suppliment called NAC in the health for stores. I have taken it everyday
for almost six years now. Plus I exercise alot and eat healthy COPD diet foods.
Studies are now being conducted on NAC with apparent positive outcomes. This info is probably "old news" to the senior members but might be useful to the new members.
"Data suggest that N-acetylcysteine (NAC) at dosages of 400-1200 mg/day may reduce symptoms, exacerbation rates and lung function decline in COPD patients, although not all studies have yielded consistent results.[7-9] These effects were originally attributed to the ability of NAC to reduce mucus viscosity and facilitate expectoration.
However, other studies have shown that NAC has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.[10-13] In vitro, NAC inhibits neutrophil chemotaxis, interleukin (IL)-8 secretion, and other pro-inflammatory mediators such as the transcription nuclear factor (NF)-?B, which is directly correlated with the production of the systemic inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP).[14]
CRP levels are elevated during exacerbations of COPD and significantly reduced with treatment; thus, they can be used to monitor clinical improvement.[15,16] IL-8 has also been shown to be significantly elevated during exacerbations of COPD.[17] "
My CRP levels have remained within the normal range the entire almost 6 years I have been taking NAC. The pills have a terrible stink
and burn in the stomach.
best regards,
Dale(Tinster)
-
My 6mo twin DD's are EBF and just started rice cereal on the first. Everything has been going fine except this morning one of them had a diaper rash (lots of redness around her anus). I read this as one of the signs of an allergy. BUT I did just buy a different brand diaper yesterday (which they have used randomly before w/no issues). Do you think its the cereal or the diaper? Im ready to start...
Do the research!
http://vitamins.ultimatefatburner.com/N-acetylcysteine-review.html
It does mention if taken in high doses it can cause gastrointestinal disturbances, nausea and vomiting.
brb
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) Anti-Oxidant May Not Be Safe
By News Staff | September 5th 2007 12:18 AM | Print | E-mail | Track Comments
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According to new research at the University of Virginia Health System, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an anti-oxidant commonly used in nutritional and body-building supplements, can form a red blood cell-derived molecule that makes blood vessels think they are not getting enough oxygen. This leads to pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a serious condition characterized by high blood pressure in the arteries that carry blood to the lungs.
NAC fools the body into thinking that it has an oxygen shortage, said Dr. Ben Gaston, UVa Childrens Hospital pediatrician and researcher who led the study. We found that an NAC product formed by red blood cells, know as a nitrosothiol, bypasses the normal regulation of oxygen sensing. It tells the arteries in the lung to remodel; they become narrow, increasing the blood pressure in the lungs and causing the right side of the heart to swell.
for the rest of article...
http://www.scientificblogging.com/news_account/n_acetylcysteine_nac_anti_oxidant_may_not_be_safe
here is an opposing study....
What Is the Scientific Evidence for N-Acetyl Cysteine?
Chronic Bronchitis
Individuals who have smoked cigarettes for many years eventually develop deterioration in their lungs leading to various symptoms, including chronic production of thick mucus. This so-called chronic bronchitis (closely related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ) tends to flare up periodically into severe acute attacks possibly requiring hospitalization.
Regular use of NAC may diminish the number of these attacks. A review and meta-analysis selected 8 double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of NAC for chronic bronchitis. 26-34 The results of these studies, involving a total of about 1,400 individuals, suggest that NAC taken daily at a dose of 400 mg to 1,200 mg can reduce the number of acute attacks of severe bronchitis. However, the largest and best of these studies, a 3-year, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 523 people, failed to find that use of NAC at a dose of 600 mg daily reduced exacerbations or retarded the typical progressive worsening of lung function. 66
It is not clear how NAC works (if it does); the old concept that it acts by thinning mucus may not be correct.
http://www.upmc.com/healthAtoZ/Pages/HealthLibrary.aspx?chunkiid=21807#P4
And at wikipedia....
....."Mucolytic therapy
Inhaled acetylcysteine is indicated for mucolytic ("mucus-dissolving") therapy as an adjuvant in respiratory conditions with excessive and/or thick mucus production. Such conditions include emphysema, bronchitis, tuberculosis, bronchiectasis, amyloidosis, pneumonia. It is also used post-operatively, as a diagnostic aid, and in tracheotomy care. It may be considered ineffective in cystic fibrosis.[1] However, a recent paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reports that high-dose oral N-acetylcysteine modulates inflammation in cystic fibrosis and has the potential to counter the intertwined redox and inflammatory imbalances in CF.[2] Oral acetylcysteine may also be used as a mucolytic in less serious cases.
For this indication, acetylcysteine acts to reduce mucus viscosity by splitting disulfide bonds linking proteins present in the mucus (mucoproteins)."
for the rest of article....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acetylcysteine
There seem to be some controversy on the subject. In my opinion more studies are needed. But it does sound promising. In some of the material I read, it sounded almost to good to me true.
HI everyone...feel free to contribute to this topic. I think it is very interesting and educational as well.
JustJOfromIdaho
LOL
*It's advised that people with Asthma NOT use it. It can actually cause asthma attacks!
*It is only approved by the FDA for acetaminophen (Tylenol) poisoning treatment!
*Studies have shown that it can cause heart and lung damage!
Here's a few others.
http://weighttraining.about.com/b/2007/09/09/nac-bodybuilding-supplement-may-be-hazardous.htm
http://www.rtmagazine.com/news/2007-09-05_01.asp
*There are plenty of conventional medicines and treatments for mucus removal!
Here's what I have found so far:
MAJOR REACTION; Nitroglycerin interacts with N-ACETYL CYSTEINE--DO NOT take these together
MODERATE REACTION: Taking N-acetyl cysteine at the same time as activated charcoal might decrease how well it works for preventing poisoning.
In other words, if someone overdosed and they were also taking NAC, it could very well stop the charcoal from doing its job.
and my favorite, (drum roll please)
Asthma: There is a concern that N-acetyl cysteine might cause bronchospasm in people with asthma if inhaled or taken by mouth or through a tube in the windpipe...so yeah, basically any way you take it.
Some people, like me, won't click on those external links for fear of viruses!
NAC and COPD.
The only constant negative side effect I come up with is:
"The second review reported that the adverse effects of N-acetylcysteine were mainly mild gastrointestinal complaints. [57] It found no significant difference between groups in rate of adverse effects (reported as not significant; P value not reported; no further information on adverse effects given. "
I can attest this is true. NAC produces an almost instant stomach ache that lasts 10 to 15 minutes. Many studies are positive about the use of NAC. I think it is up to the individual and his/her doctor to decide. My Doc recommended it.
best regards,
dale(Tinster)
yes I do have asthma also. So this chick will most definitely NOT be taking NAC...however, there are a lot of things its good for, hospitals use it intraveneously to draw out the toxins of certain things, like mercury or lead poisoning and as Digs said, tylenol overdose.
While it may be as a side effect, it might possibly cause bronchospasms, other medications used (Prednisone, etc) also have side effects. Since taking it orally (600 mg.), I, personally, have not had any adverse effects, nor have I had a severe exacerbation since using it. I also continue to use my inhalers, etc. While it may not be everyone's "cup of tea", NAC is not an off-the-wall "miracle cure" and for me, it has been effective. It is a matter of weighing the pros against the cons and coming to a personal decision. NAC, as well as any other medications, should not be taken without your doctor's knowledge and consent.
U.S. National Library of Medicine
National Institute of Health
RESULTS: IC and FVC were higher especially after exercise after NAC treatment compared with placebo treatment. In addition, the relationship of residual volume to total lung capacity was reduced in a similar pattern. Furthermore, endurance time was longer after NAC treatment compared with placebo treatment. CONCLUSIONS: NAC treatment of patients with stable, moderate-to-severe COPD has a beneficial effect on physical performance, probably due to a reduction in air trapping. Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00476736.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19447919
Clinical Summary (Sloan Kettering)
Endogenous antioxidant and precursor to intracellular glutathione. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is used to prevent exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, treat drug-induced hepatotoxicity, and prevent and treat conditions of oxidative stress and reduced glutathione levels, such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, and toxicity from chemo- or radiotherapy. NAC increases plasma levels of cysteine and glutathione and has antioxidant, nucleophilic, mucolytic, and possibly chemopreventative properties. Animal models suggest anti-carcinogenic, antimetastatic, and antiangiogenic activities. Oral bioavailability is low (1). Studies in smokers (4) and patients with history of adenomatous colonic polyps (5) show an inhibition of cancer biomarker development, although NAC did not inhibit formation of secondary head and neck or lung tumors in a EUROSCAN trial (15). 400-1200 mg/day NAC reduces the number of acute exacerbations in patients with chronic bronchopulmonary disease (10), but little clinical effect on lung function is seen in patients with cystic fibrosis (11). NAC raises GSH and cysteine levels in HIV+ patients (12) (13), but shows no effect in Lou Gehrig's disease (14). Human studies evaluating the role of NAC in the prevention of chemo- or radiotherapy induced toxicities are inconclusive. Gastrointestinal side effects are most often reported.
http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/69310.cfm
Department of Medicine, National Jewish Medical and Research Center
The use of N-acetylcysteine significantly reduces the odds of exacerbation in patients with COPD, an effect possibly attenuated by inhaled steroids but not smoking. This analysis suggests treatment with N-acetylcysteine may be beneficial in a subset of patients with COPD.
http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15412550600977361?cookieSet=1&journalCode=cop