What is NAC and Why is it Paired with Quercetin for Immune Support?
If you’ve spent any time looking into immune-supportive supplements, you’ve probably noticed a familiar duo: N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) and quercetin paired together. This combination is not by accident. In fact, their partnership is quite purposeful.
On their own, both NAC and quercetin supports anti-inflammatory and detoxification pathways in the body. But their powers combined, they bolster the immune system by fighting inflammation, decreasing oxidative stress and increasing the antioxidant capacity of the body.
But really, what is quercetin and NAC? And why is this combination so important? Let’s dive in.
What is NAC and How Does it Support the Immune System?
What is NAC? To understand NAC, we need to back up a little first and talk about another critical player, glutathione.
Maybe you have heard of glutathione. Glutathione is known as the “master” antioxidant in our bodies. Basically, this hard-working compound does it all. Naturally this begs the question: why not just take glutathione? Why are we even talking about NAC at all?
The problem is, it’s hard to make a glutathione supplement that is stable and affordable. An NAC supplement, on the other hand, can be made in a way that our bodies can absorb. And the incredible thing is, NAC is a direct precursor to glutathione. What does this mean?
It means that when we take NAC, we help our bodies make more glutathione. This is a clever way to get the same end result. Adding an NAC supplement is the go-to method for effectively boosting glutathione.1
And this is important for immune health because glutathione helps by:2
- Neutralizing free radicals that damage cells
- Supporting signaling and communication between immune cells
- Helping immune cells respond appropriately and without excess inflammation
While supplements are probably the easiest way to get NAC benefits directly, you might be surprised to know that some foods offer cysteine as well! Some of these foods include:
- Asparagus
- Avocado
- Spinach
- Broccoli
- Dairy products
- Meats
- Whole grains
Ideally, support your body with a healthy diet full of cysteine-rich foods, and consider adding an NAC supplement when you need an extra immune boost.
What is Quercetin and Why is it Known as a Powerful Antioxidant?
Quercetin is a naturally occurring flavonoid found in foods like onions, apples, berries, and capers. It’s known for offering strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and it’s probably best known for reducing allergy symptoms during allergy season.
Research suggests quercetin benefits immune health by:3,4
- Stabilizing cells and preventing excessive histamine release
- Keeping viruses and bacteria at bay
- Preventing overactivation of the immune system
- Neutralizing free radicals so that immune cells work better
While it doesn’t have an effect on glutathione directly, it helps create an environment where your immune system can work at its best.
And studies show that when quercetin and NAC work together, their powers amplify one another, allowing each to work more effectively in your body than alone.5
Why NAC and Quercetin Work Better Together
The synergy of NAC + quercetin is exciting when it comes to immune health! They offer complementary yet non-competing roles, covering many layers of immune defense.
As we’ve discussed, NAC benefits our antioxidant defenses by helping to raise glutathione levels. Quercetin, on the other hand, plays a role in reducing bacterial and viral load and helps prevent the immune system from over-responding and creating too much inflammation.
This teamwork keeps our immune system firing on all cylinders – it can respond quickly, efficiently, and most importantly, appropriately.
Basically, by working via multiple biochemical pathways, quercetin + NAC optimizes your immune health so you can keep living your best life.
And it’s exactly because of these exciting NAC and quercetin benefits that Body Kitchen offers this powerful duo in their Mega NAC + Quercetin supplement. Simply take two capsules per day for effective immune support, especially during the winter months and allergy season.
How to Take NAC and Quercetin for Daily Immune Support
NAC and quercetin can be taken any time of year, but consider taking them daily during the illness-prone winter months and allergy season. Travel or periods of high stress could be ideal times to add a quercetin and NAC supplement as well.
What dosage should you look for? Studies suggest:6,7
- NAC: 600 – 1,200 mg per day
- Quercetin: 250 – 500 mg per day
- Studies saw that using them together improved overall antioxidant activity8
Like with most supplements, consistency matters, so make sure to take daily when your immune system needs it. Your cells need steady support from both your diet and supplement regimen.
Of course, always discuss adding new supplements with your doctor first. There may be contraindications with certain medications or certain medical conditions. And, if you have any sort of ongoing illness that is not diagnosed, schedule a visit with your trusted practitioner before deciding if supplementation is right for you.
The Bottom Line
NAC and quercetin may sound like fancy names, but they are a powerful duo that can be a huge help to your health. The benefits of NAC include bolstering glutathione production and regulating immune activity, while quercetin benefits the immune system by providing additional antioxidant support and helping to prevent excessive inflammation.
If this kind of support is just what your body needs, look no further than Body Kitchen’s Mega NAC + Quercetin. Just two capsules per day can help you sail through the winter and allergy seasons effortlessly and in style. It’s a more comprehensive approach to daily immune support that your body will thank you for.
References:
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8234027/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36707132/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35458691/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35458696/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34906805/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7892733/
- https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/27/8/2498
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37575276/