Joni, That was a great article. I always thought that NAC was just for mucus thinning. I had no idea it had any effect on air trapping. I have a bottle of it that I ordered from some health food store that I never have opened because i thought it was the same thing as musinex. Sorry spelling is off. I am going to start taking it. Thanks a bunch.

Hugs,

Nellie

Is this different from Dogmans SSKI? It says "Probably" due to a reduction in air trapping, are they just guessing? Now I am confused, Mucinex, NAC, SSKI??????

same thing!

Researchers at the University of Virginia reported in 2007 study using very large doses in a mouse model that acetylcysteine(abbreviated NAC), which is found in many bodybuilding supplements, could potentially cause damage to the heart and lungs. They found that acetylcysteine was metabolized to S-nitroso-N-acetylcysteine (SNOAC), which increased blood pressure in the lungs and right ventricle of the heart (pulmonary artery hypertension) in mice treated with acetylcysteine. The effect was similar to that observed following a 3-week exposure to an oxygen-deprived environment (chronic hypoxia). The authors also found that SNOAC induced a hypoxia-like response in the expression of several important genes both in vitro and in vivo.

The implications of these findings for long-term treatment with acetylcysteine have not yet been investigated. The dose used by Palmer and colleagues was dramatically higher than that used in humans; nonetheless, the drug's effects on the hypoxic ventilatory response have been observed previously in human subjects at more moderate doses.

Thanks for the article Joni. As usual, it made me head for google and see more research as I am one of those people with reallllly low numbers and I would welcome anything that might possibly help my endurance level.

I know that some of the drugs I take have side effects but I am still going to take them because my heart will not breathe for me if my lungs don't function.

I think sometimes that there are research mice that have better meds than I do.

Hugs,

POTASSIUM IODIDE - ORAL

Pronunciation: (poh-TASS-ee-um EYE-oh-dyed)

Brand Name(s): SSKI

N-ACETYL CYSTEINE

N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is an altered form of the amino acid cysteine, which is commonly found in food and synthesized by the body.

With all due respect, from the descriptions I have read, SSKI is a brand name for potassium iodide and not the same as NAC which is simply an abbrevation.

Basically, it is my understanding, the mice in the study posted were given extremely high doses of NAC, far more than in any normal dose one would (hopefully) take. Most medications, even common aspirin, can be toxic taken in extremely high doses. The key words seem to be "very high" doses and one is cautioned against taking it in that amount. Actually, NAC is given to those who have overdosed on aspirin.

I first learned of NAC at Stanford from a respiratory therapist. My own doctor knows I take it, and has no objections, but I do not take high doses of this any more than any other medication I would take. Nor do I use it to replace my other medications or am I suggesting anyone do so. It is simply an added tool I use. I have not had any adverse reactions. My heart tests have been normal, and my stats are good. I realize we are all different, and while one may not have a reaction to any medication another might. I would suggest anyone check the internet for further information (there's a lot to be found) and ask your own doctor if this might be right for you, if you are considering it. For me, it has been beneficial.

Regarding the study:

" The mice who developed the lung problems in the study were given 10 mg per ml NAC in their drinking water. It is hard to translate this into any human dose equivalents, but if a person took in only 1 liter of such spiked water per day, that would be a 10,000 mg or 10 gram daily dose of NAC. Most over-the-counter nutritional supplements use around 650 mg as their dose, but doctors in emergency departments and ICUs do use high-dose NAC to treat acetaminophen overdose with no known acute toxicity. A slight tendency toward problems, however, was seen even in mice drinking only 1 mg per ml NAC in drinking water. This study should serve as a caution for anyone choosing to supplement with very high doses of NAC".

Below is a copy of the Web MD article on NAC. Please note that there is a" caution" section towards the end.


N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) is a metabolite of the sulfur-containing amino acid, Cysteine. Cysteine is found in high protein foods, N-Acetyl Cysteine is not. N-Acetyl Cysteine is produced within the human body. Cysteine plays a role in the sulfation cycle, acting as a sulfur donor in phase II detoxification and as a methyl donor in the conversion of homocysteine to methionine. Cysteine also helps synthesize glutathione, one of the body's most important natural antioxidants and detoxifiers. N-Acetyl-Cysteine is the acetylated form of L-Cysteine.

N-Acetyl Cysteine increases Glutathione Levels

N-Acetyl Cysteine is rapidly metabolized to intracellular glutathione. Glutathione acts as a powerful antioxidant in the body. Glutathione also detoxifies chemicals into less harmful compounds. N-Acetyl Cysteine also protects the body from acetaminophen toxicity and is used in hospitals for patients with acetaminophen poisoning. It has also been shown to be effective at treating liver failure from other causes as well.

N-Acetyl Cysteine Chelates Heavy Metals

Heavy metals like lead, mercury and arsenic are detoxified and removed from the body by N-Acetyl Cysteine . It also increases the excretion of zinc and other essential minerals when taken over an extended period. It is therefore necessary to supplement zinc, copper and other trace minerals when taking N-Acetyl Cysteine.

N-Acetyl Cysteine and the Immune System

Glutathione is known to aid in the transport of nutrients to lymphocytes and phagocytes, two major classes of immune cells, and to protect cell membranes. While purified glutathione is available as a dietary supplement, absorption is low, and N-Acetyl Cysteine is thought to be a better method of boosting cellular glutathione levels. N-Acetyl Cysteine is being investigated as a treatment for AIDS.

N-Acetyl Cysteine Breaks up Mucus

N-Acetyl Cysteine cleaves disulfide bonds by converting them to two sulfhydryl groups. This action results in the breakup of mucoproteins in lung mucus, reducing their chain lengths and thinning the mucus, improving conditions such as bronchitis and flu. Double-blind research has found that N-Acetyl Cysteine supplements improved symptoms and prevented recurrences in people with chronic bronchitis. N-Acetyl Cysteine at a dosage of 1,200 mg per day helps to prevent Influenza infection, reduces the symptoms of existing Influenza infection and reduces the duration of Influenza infections.

N-Acetyl Cysteine and Cancer

N-Acetyl CysteineN-Acetyl Cysteine has been shown to reduce the proliferation of certain cells lining the colon and may reduce the risk of colon cancer in people with recurrent polyps in the colon. Its action as an antioxidant and a glutathione precursor may also contribute to a protective effect against cancer.


N-Acetyl Cysteine Cautions

When taking N-acetyl cysteine it is recommended that two to three times as much vitamin C be taken at the same time. Failure to do so may result in more harm than good from taking this product because of the prolonged presence of the oxidized form of L-Cysteine. The vitamin C also helps keep the glutathione that is produced from the Cysteine in its reduced form so that it can continue acting as an antioxidant.

N-Acetyl Cysteine Dosage

Typical dosage recommendations are in the range of 250-1500mg of NAC daily for the majority of therapeutic benefits.

N-Acetyl Cysteine Safety

NAC is considered safe for consumption in its therapeutic dosage ranges. Individual reactions may vary and anyone experiencing adverse symptoms while taking N-Acetyl Cysteine should discontinue it.

Where to Get N-Acetyl Cysteine

For a high quality professional source of N-Acetyl Cysteine and other Health and Life Extension Supplements:

Excuse me if i am wrong and i would have to go back and find the post but when "Gentlemike" suggested this, he was poo-pooed by yourself, as was i when i was searching for alternative useful tools to use in my fight against my copd/emphysema. And this was only a in the last couple of months, you claim to have been taking it for 2 years. So why the negativity when someone else has an idea or thought or enquiry. Again my apologies if i have made an error.. .ozzie

Ozzie, you didn't address you reply to any one person and I think I remember replying to that post and the subject was SSKI.

my memory may be no better than yours but are you talking about NAC or SSKI? They are not the same.

I know Mike was seeking alternatives but I don't think that NAC falls into that category.

I will certainly go back and looK for the post and If I locate it, I will let you know which one it is.

Have a good day.

Hi Ozzie...

No problem, but I believe you are mistaken. Actually, on 4-13-08, over a year ago, I posted information on NAC, which was in response to another affirmative post by Sassyme regarding same.

In another post I did, Gentlemike gave the following response:

"Interesting article. Thank you!
I take the suppliment N Acetyl Cysteine. This seems to act as a precursor to assist in boosting glutathione levels in the cells as mentioned in the eighth paragraph down. Glutathione is a very nice compound to be floating around in your body. It has also been implicated in the management of certain cancers. Thanks again for your post."

I did not reply to this and apparently we both take it.

Perhaps you could find the post you speak of, for I could not after searching through a great many posts.

My own personal view is that there is much on the internet promising cures for COPD, which is considered to be progressive and not curable. And, there are people who wish to try "alternative" methods and give up or discontinue medications prescribed by their physicians - something I, again, personally feel may be unwise and would caution anyone against doing so, however, it is in the long run, their choice.

I said, and I repeat, I take NAC as another tool to lessen the effects of COPD, but never, do I consider stopping any of my other medications without my doctor's okay, likewise do I add any medications without the doctor's knowledge either.

It was fun, though, taking a break from Christmas preparations and taking a walk down memory lane with all the old posts.

Best to you,

Joni

Ozzy, I get your point and agree! It's a pattern!

Wow.....This is overwhelming to me! What is this stuff and where do you buy it??? No doubt need a prescription. A health food store, huh? I've had a dry cough for 2 weeks so started taking mucinex, which really helps loosen the mucus. I need more info on this --- air trapping??? Thx, Hugs
Emberlees

Emberlees:

Here is a study done August, 2009. Of note is its effects for people over 50. I have copied part of it and added a direct link below. Hope you find it helpful. And yes, NAC is found in health food stores and no, you don't need a prescription.


Best to you....

COPD

N-acetylcysteine has been shown to have a positive effect on the clinical course of COPD.2 An open-label study of 1,392 patients found that N-acetylcysteine reduced the viscosity of expectorated phlegm, reduced cough severity, and improved ease of expectoration in 80, 74, and 71 percent of patients, respectively, after two months of treatment.5 The study also reported marked improvements in rhonchi, crepitations, dyspnea, cyanosis, and associated heart failure after one to two months of therapy.5 In another large, open-label trial that compared N-acetylcysteine with a control medication, patients taking N-acetylcysteine experienced a decrease in the deterioration of lung function as measured by forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1).6 This effect was most pronounced in patients older than 50 years. In this subgroup, the annual decline in lung function was almost 50 percent less in those taking N-acetylcysteine (an annual decrease of FEV1 of 30 mL versus 54 mL in the control group).


http://www.aafp.org/afp/2009/0801/p265.html

Ozzie, there are numerous posts regarding alternatives but I could not locate the one that you are referring to.

Sorry, but I am sure there is someone that will lead you in the right direction.

Best,

On this post, I stated I had taken NAC some two years now. Another member has placed an old post of mine from September 08 stating I had it in my cupboard but was afraid to take it, and yes, that is true I was. However, I overcame that fear and began taking it.

I also responded to a reply here with an affirmative post I did months earlier in April of 08 in response to Sassyme regarding NAC, when I first researched it. I was not taking it then nor did I imply in that particular post I did.

Also in my response I did state another member was taking it and apparently we both do, which is where I am presently.

I don't know about anyone else, but I don't write down in a little book the exact date I began medications. I'm not exactly clear of the exact date I was first diagnosed with COPD, much less the dates of every medication I have taken in my lifetime. I made a guess as close as I could remember.

Splitting hairs is not that important to me, but apparently it is to another. What is important to me that we all have tools within our grasp to deal with a disease that is life threatening. NAC appears to be one. Sharing that information, in my opinion, is one of the goals of DS.