NAC: Extiende tu JUVENTUD regenerando tu GLUTATION

Dr. Borja Bandera

8 Jul 202408:46

Summary

TLDRThis video script delves into the importance of glutathione, a tripeptide crucial for cellular defense against oxidative stress and aging. It highlights N-acetylcysteine (NAC) as a potent precursor to boost glutathione levels, offering antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. The script explores NAC's clinical applications in respiratory diseases, fertility issues, and neuropsychiatric conditions, emphasizing its potential to improve health outcomes in these areas. Viewers are also informed about optimal dosages and the supplement's safety profile, making it an appealing option for general health and stress reduction.

Takeaways

🛡️ Glutathione (Glu) is a tripeptide that acts as a primary antioxidant in cells, protecting against oxidative stress and aging.
📉 Glutathione synthesis decreases with age, which can lead to increased cellular damage from oxidative stress.
🧬 Cysteine, one of the amino acids in glutathione, is the limiting factor for its synthesis, especially under high oxidative stress.
💊 N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a synthetic derivative of the amino acid L-cysteine and is the best precursor for increasing glutathione levels.
🚫 Direct supplementation of cysteine or glutathione is unstable and has low bioavailability, making NAC a preferred method to enhance glutathione synthesis.
🏥 NAC has been used medically for decades as a mucolytic agent and in treating paracetamol poisoning, which can be lethal.
🛑 NAC's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties are due to its ability to reduce reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, thereby attenuating inflammatory cascades.
💊 NAC helps replenish glutathione that is consumed during stress, illness, or drug toxicity, which is crucial for maintaining cellular health.
🌟 NAC has shown potential benefits in improving lung function, particularly in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), by reducing exacerbations and their duration.
💪 NAC has positive effects on fertility, enhancing sperm motility, concentration, and morphology in men, and improving ovulation and pregnancy rates in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
🧠 NAC's modulation of neurotransmitters like glutamate and dopamine suggests potential uses in neuropsychiatric conditions, including depression, autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, and addictions.

Q & A

What is the main function of glutathione mentioned in the script?
-Glutathione serves as a defensive barrier against aging and oxidative stress, playing a crucial role in protecting cells from damage.
What are the three amino acids that make up glutathione?
-Glutathione is a tripeptide composed of three amino acids: cysteine, glutamate, and glycine.
Why is cysteine important in the context of glutathione synthesis?
-Cysteine is important because it is the amino acid with the lowest intracellular concentration, and thus it limits the synthesis of glutathione, especially under high oxidative stress conditions.
What is the role of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) according to the script?
-NAC is a synthetic derivative of the amino acid L-cysteine and serves as the best precursor for glutathione, helping to increase its synthesis in the body.
Why are direct supplementations of cysteine and glutathione unstable and have low bioavailability?
-Cysteine and glutathione are unstable when supplemented directly due to their chemical properties, which result in low bioavailability for the body.
How does NAC help in cases of Paracetamol overdose?
-NAC is used in hospitals to treat Paracetamol overdose, which can be lethal, by reducing oxidative stress in the liver and replenishing glutathione levels.
What are some of the clinical uses of NAC that have been expanded due to a better understanding of its mechanisms of action?
-Clinical uses of NAC have expanded to include its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as its potential benefits in conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, infertility, and neuropsychiatric disorders.
How does NAC improve lung function, particularly in patients with COPD?
-NAC, when administered at a sufficient dose, seems to reduce the number of exacerbations and their duration in COPD patients by enhancing the activity of alveolar cells, increasing pulmonary surfactant, and having antimicrobial properties.
What benefits does NAC offer in terms of fertility for both men and women?
-For men, NAC improves sperm motility, concentration, and morphology. In women with polycystic ovary syndrome, NAC has been shown to improve ovulation and pregnancy rates compared to a placebo.
How does NAC potentially help in neuropsychiatric conditions?
-NAC modulates levels of neurotransmitters such as glutamate and dopamine, which are implicated in neuroplasticity, learning, and excitotoxicity. It has shown small clinical benefits in conditions like depression, autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, and addictions.
What is the recommended daily dosage range for NAC in most studies?
-The usual dosage range for NAC in most studies is between 600 to 1800 mg per day, divided into two or three doses, although higher doses are sometimes used.
What precautions should be taken when considering high doses of NAC?
-High doses of NAC, above 2000 mg per day, may interfere with training adaptations, so it is generally not recommended to exceed 1800 mg daily unless for specific, well-defined cases.

Outlines

00:00

🛡️ Glutathione's Defensive Role Against Aging and Oxidative Stress

The first paragraph discusses the importance of glutathione (GSH) as a critical antioxidant in the body. It explains that GSH is a tripeptide composed of three amino acids: cysteine, glutamate, and glycine. The paragraph highlights that GSH is essential for cellular protection against oxidative stress, which is linked to many diseases. It also points out that the synthesis of GSH declines with age and that the availability of cysteine, one of its constituent amino acids, is a limiting factor for its production. The role of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) as a precursor to GSH and its benefits in medical applications, such as treating Paracetamol overdose and mucus-related conditions, is also mentioned.

05:04

💊 NAC's Therapeutic Applications and Dosing

The second paragraph delves into the therapeutic uses of N-acetylcysteine (NAC). It outlines the benefits of NAC in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation by enhancing the synthesis of glutathione, neutralizing free radicals, and replenishing glutathione levels. The paragraph also covers the clinical applications of NAC in conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, infertility in both men and women, and various neuropsychiatric disorders. It discusses the modulation of neurotransmitters like glutamate and dopamine by NAC, which has shown potential in treating depression, autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, and addiction. Additionally, the paragraph touches on the use of NAC in improving joint health and managing osteoarthritis, and it provides general guidance on NAC dosing, suggesting a range from 600 to 1800 mg per day divided into two or three doses.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Glutathione

Glutathione is a tripeptide consisting of three amino acids: cysteine, glutamate, and glycine. It is a crucial antioxidant that protects cells from oxidative stress, which is linked to aging and various diseases. In the video, it is highlighted as a key molecule that decreases with age, affecting the body's ability to combat oxidative stress.

💡Oxidative Stress

Oxidative stress refers to an imbalance between the production of free radicals and the ability of the body to counteract or detoxify their harmful effects through neutralization by antioxidants. In the video, it is identified as a major factor behind many diseases and the primary cause of cellular damage.

💡Cysteine

Cysteine is an amino acid that is a rate-limiting factor in the synthesis of glutathione due to its lower intracellular concentrations. The video explains that the availability of cysteine can limit the production of glutathione, especially under conditions of high oxidative stress.

💡N-Acetylcysteine (NAC)

N-Acetylcysteine is a synthetic derivative of the amino acid L-cysteine and is considered the best precursor for glutathione. The video discusses NAC as a supplement that can enhance the body's natural production of glutathione and has been used medically for various purposes, including as a mucolytic agent and in the treatment of acetaminophen poisoning.

💡Antioxidant

An antioxidant is a molecule that inhibits oxidation or reactions promoted by free radicals. In the context of the video, NAC and glutathione are antioxidants that help reduce oxidative stress by neutralizing reactive oxygen and nitrogen species within cells, thus preventing cellular damage.

💡Inflammation

Inflammation is part of the complex biological response of body tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants. The video explains that oxidative stress leads to inflammation and that NAC has anti-inflammatory effects by reducing inflammatory cascades.

💡Excitotoxicity

Excitotoxicity is a pathological process that occurs when there is an over-stimulation of nerve cells by neurotransmitters such as glutamate, leading to damage or death of the cells. The video mentions that NAC can modulate levels of neurotransmitters like glutamate, reducing excitotoxicity and potentially benefiting neuropsychiatric conditions.

💡Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

COPD is a common lung disease characterized by inflammation, destruction, and obstruction of the airways. The video discusses how NAC can reduce the frequency and duration of COPD exacerbations, illustrating its potential benefits in respiratory health.

💡Fertility

Fertility refers to the ability to produce offspring. The video script mentions that NAC has shown positive effects on both male and female fertility parameters, such as improving sperm motility, concentration, and morphology, as well as enhancing ovulation and pregnancy rates in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

💡Neurotransmitter

Neurotransmitters are chemicals that transmit signals across a synapse from one neuron to another. The video explains that NAC can modulate neurotransmitter levels, specifically mentioning glutamate and dopamine, which are involved in neuroplasticity, learning, and potentially neuropsychiatric disorders.

💡Arthrosis

Arthrosis, also known as osteoarthritis, is a degenerative joint disease that can lead to pain and deformity, reducing the quality of life. The video mentions a preclinical study where NAC reduced the development of arthrosis in rats by increasing collagen type II in chondrocytes and reducing their apoptosis.

Highlights

Glutathione is a tripeptide composed of three amino acids: cysteine, glutamate, and glycine, and plays a crucial role in protecting cells from oxidative stress.

Glutathione synthesis decreases with age, which is a concern as it is vital for cellular health.

Cysteine is the limiting factor in glutathione synthesis due to its lower intracellular concentrations.

High oxidative stress, such as that caused by acetaminophen poisoning, can deplete glutathione reserves.

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a synthetic derivative of the amino acid L-cysteine and is the best precursor of glutathione available today.

NAC has been used in medicine for decades as a mucolytic agent and in hospital settings for acetaminophen poisoning.

NAC's antioxidant properties help reduce reactive oxygen and nitrogen species within cells, leading to anti-inflammatory effects.

NAC works by directly eliminating free radicals and helping to replenish depleted glutathione.

NAC has been studied for its potential benefits in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), reducing exacerbations and their duration.

In cystic fibrosis, NAC is used for its pulmonary benefits and to manage recurrent infections.

NAC improves sperm motility, concentration, morphology, and semen volume, which is beneficial for male fertility.

For women with polycystic ovary syndrome, NAC can improve ovulation and pregnancy rates compared to a placebo.

NAC modulates neurotransmitter levels such as glutamate and dopamine, showing potential in neuropsychiatric conditions.

NAC has shown small clinical benefits when used alongside existing therapies for depression, autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, and addictions.

NAC reduces cravings and anxiety in addicts, facilitating self-control and potentially aiding in addiction recovery.

In a clinical trial, NAC reduced irritability in children with autism.

Preclinical studies suggest NAC may reduce the development of osteoarthritis by increasing type II collagen in chondrocytes and reducing apoptosis.

The common and simple way to take NAC is orally, with doses ranging from 600 to 1800 mg per day, divided into two or three intakes.

High doses of NAC, above 2000 mg, may interfere with training adaptations and are not generally recommended.

NAC is one of the most studied supplements, known for its safety and efficacy in supporting health under oxidative stress.